Get ready, families of Wilmington! The countdown has begun, and the first day of school for your little ones in Wilmington is just around the corner.
We've got you covered with the ultimate guide to kickstart the school year. Looking for school calendars in Wilmington? Fun back-to-school events in Wilmington? Where to go back-to-school shopping in Wilmington?
We have it all, plus advice and tips for dealing with that first-day anxiety, printables to make those first-day pics special, and even ideas on what to pack for lunch! Check it all out here:
 lisegagne | Canva |
District Calendars
Brandywine School District Calendar
| First Day of School for Grades 1-6, 9, 12 | August 28 |
| All Students K-12 Report | August 29 |
| All Students K-12 Report | September 5 |
| Students in grades 1st-6th & 9th Kindergarten students with last names beginning with A-L | August 28 | |
| Students in grades 7-8 & 10-12 (students in grades 1-6 and 9 also attend) |
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Kindergarten students with last names beginning with M-Z |
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Students in Pre-K | September 5 |
New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
| First Day of School: Seniors only | August 28 | |
| First Day of School: Juniors only |
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| First Day of School: Sophmores only |
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| First Day of School: Freshman only | August 31 | |
| All Students | September 5 |
Red Clay Consolidated School District
| First Day of School (Early Years Program (EYP), K: A-L, 1st-6th Grades, 9th Grade | August 28 |
| K: A-L and all students report to school. | August 29 |
| K: Split Week(M-Z) and all other students report to school. | August 30 |
| K: Split Week(M-Z) and all other students report to school. | August 31 |
 Shutter2U | Canva |
School Supply Drives and Giveaways
August 5
- 9th Annual - Stuff The Bus: WXCY 103.7 FM is partnering with Peoples Plaza to host their ninth annual back to school supply drive for the HeadStart programs of New Castle County, Cecil County, and Harford County. Peoples Plaza, Rts 40 & 896
- 5th Annual Community Back to School Health Fair: The event will include health screenings, school supply giveaways, family activities, access to our clothing pantry, and more. Global Community Development Corporation, 4112 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19802
August 12
- Back to School Rally: Your child doesn't want to miss a chance to start the school year off right with a backpack stuffed full of supplies and a message of hope! *Collection boxes at the Brandywine YMCA. Sunday Breakfast Mission, 110 N. Poplar Street, Wilmington, DE 19802
- Back to School Backpack Giveaway: *Item donations due by August 4th. Claymont Community Center, 3301 Green Street, Claymont, DE 19703
- DelCare Health Solutions Open House and Bag Giveaway: It's a great opportunity to get your children ready for the school year with free health screenings, a resource table, and a book bag giveaway! DelCare Health Solutions, LLC, 2801 Lancaster Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19805
August 13
- Back to School Supply Drive: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1120 Darley Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810
August 17
- Back to School Community Resource Fair: Everything is free including food, drinks, and for school age children, nail painting and hair cuts! Helen Chambers Playground, 709 W. 6th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
- Victorious Faith "Dress for Success" Free School Uniform Giveaway: FREE school uniforms to students between the ages of 5 - 12 in sizes 5 to size 14 throughout the New Castle County area. Christian Worship Center, 500 Concord Avenue, Wilmington DE 19802
August 21
- Back to School Supply Drive: Every year before the beginning of the school year the Brandywine Education Foundation holds a Back to School Supply Drive to benefit students in the Brandywine School District. Church of the Good Shepherd, 1530 Foulk Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
August 25
- Free Clothing Collection and Giveaway: From now until the event, we are collecting clean kids clothing, outerwear and footwear infant to junior. Oasis Church, 2200 Glasgow Ave, Newark, DE 19702
- Urban Promise Donation Drive: Supplies may be dropped off at their main office at 2401 Thatcher St., Wilmington, DE 19802.
August 26
- United Way 2023 Back to School Resource Fair and Book Bag Giveaway: A health and education resource fair for families and community members.
North Wilmington Library, 3400 N. Market St, Wilmington, DE 19802
Know of a community back-to-school event in Wilmington that we're missing? Add it to our Macaroni KID Wilmington-New Castle calendar now!
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Back to School Events in Wilmington, DE
Squeeze in some last-minute fun before it's time to line up at the bus stop!
August 6
- DMNS' Leaping into the Next Grade: The day's lineup includes the Center for the Creative Arts (morning art class), Rainbow Soaps (chemistry), and for lunch, Uncle John’s BBQ and Raspados “Bayu” Shaved Ice Mexican Style. Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
August 26+27
- Wilmington & Western Railroad Back to School Train Ride: On the last weekend in August, one child rides FREE with each full-priced adult/senior ticket!
Greenbank Station, 2201 Newport Gap Pike(Route 41 North), Wilmington, DE 19808
- End of Summer Bash! This event will have bubble artists and bubbles, multiple Summer giveaways, DJ Ed, Pinky the Puppet, Blue Coats Outreach Team, water play (wear your bathing suit!), extra STEAM programming and more! Delaware Children's Museum, 550 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801
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Back to School Shopping
There are the big box stores, of course, but you can also support locally-owned businesses when doing your back-to-school shopping! Here are some of our favorite places for shopping for school supplies and clothes in Wilmington that are locally owned:
- Once Upon a Child, 3220-B Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19808
- August is Teacher's Promo Book Month! 8/1 - 8/6: 20% off. 8/7-8/13: 30% off. 8/14-8/20: 40% off. 8/1-8/28: Save 50% off.
- Hansel and Gretel Children's Boutique, Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808
- The Nest Play Cafe & Retail, 5350 Summit Bridge Road, Unit 11, 12 Middletown, DE 1970
Have a favorite locally owned spot for back-to-school shopping you don't see listed here? Email leslieh@macaronikid.com, and we'll get it added!
More tips to make this school year in Wilmington a great one:
 Free Back-to-School Printables to Celebrate that First Day |  5 Teacher-Approved Tips to Make Back-to-School Time Great |
 10 Books to Ease Back-to-School Fears |  Bento Box School Lunch Ideas |
