Local Schools Starting New School Year Soon

Published Aug 14, 2026 4:24 pm

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Sonora, CA — Some public schools in the Mother Lode have already started, and others will start next week.

The Calaveras Unified School District and its nine schools use a more year-round schedule, with an abbreviated summer vacation. The district started on July 29. The Calaveras County Office of Education alternative programs also started on that date. Meanwhile, the Mountain Oaks Charter School will start on August 10, and other public schools in Calaveras County began on August 12 or 13.

In Tuolumne County, the two High Schools, Sonora and Summerville, will be the first to reconvene on Tuesday, August 18. Most other public schools will open on Wednesday, August 19, with Twain Harte Elementary beginning on Thursday, August 20.

Columbia College’s Summer session ended August 15. The Fall session begins Monday, August 24.

The school start date list in alphabetical order:

Tuolumne County School District Start Dates:

• Belleview: August 19
  
• Big Oak Flat/Groveland: August 19, includes Tenaya, Tioga High School and Don Pedro School
  
• Columbia: August 19
  
• Curtis Creek: August 18
  
• Gold Rush Charter: August 19
  
• Jamestown: August 19, includes Chinese Camp and Jamestown Elementary
  
• Sonora Elementary: August 19
  
• Sonora High School: August 18, includes Cassina, Sonora High School and Ted Bird High
  
• Soulsbyville: August 19
  
• Summerville Elementary: August 19
• Summerville High School: August 18, including Cold Springs High School, Long Barn High School, Mountain High School, South Fork High, School, and Summerville High School
• Twain Harte: August 20
  
  TCSOS Programs:
• Jamestown Rise: August 19
• Soulsbyville El ILS: August 19
  
• Transition: August 18
  
• Tuolumne Learning Center: August 18

Calaveras County School Start Dates:

• Bret Harte Union High School District: August 12, includes Bret Harte High School and Vallecito High School
• Calaveras Unified School District: July 29, includes Calaveras High School, Gold Strike Continuation High School, Jenny Lind Elementary, Mark Twain School Union District: August 13, includes Mark Twain Union Elementary and Copperopolis Elementary, Mokelumne Hill Elementary, San Andreas Elementary, Sierra Hills Education Center, Toyon Middle School, Valley Springs Elementary, West Point Elementary
• Mountain Oaks Charter School: August 10
• Vallecito Union School District: August 12, includes Albert Michelson Elementary, Hazel Fischer Elementary, and Avery Middle School
• CCOE Alternative Programs: July 30 includes Calaveras River Academy/Oakendell