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Xenia 101: A Guide for Families

This online Back to School Guide is designed to help answer some of the most commonly asked questions for new and returning families. Explore the sections below to learn more about issues ranging from the fall schedule and transportation information to questions about student Chromebooks, free/reduced meals, and updating your student’s information for our school nurses.

Looking for the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar? Find the district calendar here!

  • Image promoting 'Final Forms' with a keyboard and Xenia logo.

    Whether your student is new to Xenia Community Schools or is returning for their senior year, families should make sure that each student’s paperwork is up-to-date and complete in Final Forms prior to the start of school.

    GO TO FINAL FORMS

    FOR RETURNING STUDENTS: 
    Families must sign off on annual permissions, update medical information and emergency contact details, review parent and student technology agreements, and more.

    FOR NEW STUDENTS: 
    Families must complete their online enrollment through Final Forms by Tuesday, August 12 at 4:30 p.m. to ensure that their student can start school on day one. However, the sooner you complete this process, the better! Once students are enrolled, they will be placed with the appropriate teacher and a schedule of classes can be created for them. In addition, enrollment lets transportation know who should be added to bus routes, and also allows us to schedule incoming Kindergarten students for screening! 

    Visit the "Ready for Kindergarten" and "Ready for Preschool" sections of this page for more information for these grades.

  • Image promoting the first day of school, featuring a sign and school logo.

    XCS Back to School Schedule for 2025-2026: 

    • August 4-12: Kindergarten Screenings (by appointment only; schedule dates vary by building) 
    • Tuesday, August 19: First Day for Students (K-12)
    • Monday, August 25: First Day for Xenia Preschool Students

     


     

    Open House Schedule for 2025-2026:

    Xenia Preschool Open Houses: Thursday, August 21 
    Open House for AM Students:
    11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Open House for PM Students: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

    Arrowood Elementary
    Kindergarten ONLY: Friday, August 15 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
    Grades 1-5: Monday, August 18 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

    Cox Elementary
    Grades K-5: Monday, August 18 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. 

    McKinley Elementary
    Grades K-5: August 18 from 5:00 – 5:45 p.m.

    Shawnee Elementary
    Kindergarten ONLY: August 15 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
    Grades 1-5: Monday, August 18 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

    Tecumseh Elementary
    Grades K-5: Monday, August 18 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

    Warner Middle School 
    Thursday, August 14 from 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.

    Xenia High School
    Thursday, August 14 from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m.

  • Graphic promoting communication with families, featuring the word 'Xenia' and cloud icons.

    Xenia Community Schools uses ParentSquare to communicate with our students and families! 

    ParentSquare is used for items such as newsletters, announcements, snow day notifications, group chats, calendars, conference appointments, volunteer sign-ups, and more. It replaces OneCall, and adds text and push notification options for those who prefer that to voice calls.

    Note that phone calls will still be made for urgent messages, regardless of your day-to-day settings. 

    How do I get an account? 
    ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent/guardian, using the email address and phone number associated with their child's information submitted through FinalForms, so make sure your information is up to date!

    Parents/guardians who are new to the district will receive an initial invitation at the beginning of each school year to activate their account, and follow-up invitations will be sent periodically. Families who enroll after the start of the school year will receive an invitation after your enrollment is complete.

    While it is not required, we highly suggest all parents/caregivers: 
    1) download the ParentSquare app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store, and 
    2) verify your ParentSquare account using the invitation link sent to the email address that you provided through the FinalForms. 

    Learn more about ParentSquare. 

  • Image promoting student schedules, featuring the Xenia logo and students in a classroom.

    We understand that families are anxious to get student classroom assignments, but ask for everyone to be patient with the process! Due to ongoing enrollment that will continue through mid-August, class assignments and student schedules cannot be confirmed until just prior to the start of the school year.

    Check back soon for updates.

  • Image promoting school supplies lists, featuring pencils, a ruler, and the word 'Supplies'.

    Please note that specific supplies and directions vary by building and grade, so be sure to visit your school's Supply List page for details! Find both printable PDFs and accessible lists: 

  • Image with the Xenia school logo, text that says 'School Info HOURS & MORE', and an orange alarm clock.

    Building School Hours Doors Open Office Hours
    Xenia Preschool

    9:15-11:45 (AM); 12:45-3:15 (PM)

    9:05 (AM); 12:35 (PM) 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Arrowood Elementary 9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Cox Elementary 9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    McKinley Elementary 9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Shawnee Elementary 9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Tecumseh Elementary 9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Warner Middle School 7:30 a..m. – 2:05 p.m. 6:50 a.m. 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    Xenia High School 7:35 a.m. – 2:38 p.m. 7:15 a.m. 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

     

  • Banner image with the words 'Chromebook TECHNOLOGY' and a keyboard.

    Xenia Community Schools is a one-to-one district, providing access to a Chromebook to each student in grades K-12 to support their learning in school and at home!

    Each student receives a Chromebook for classroom use at no additional cost beyond the initial technology fee. 

    K-5 students leave their Chromebooks at school, which can be charged overnight and ready for the next day. 

    6-12 students will be issued a Chromebook and a carrying case. They are responsible for bringing their Chromebooks to school fully charged each day. They should take their devices to their school's main office for repairs. At that point, we will issue the student a loaner until their device is repaired. 

    Please read the parent and student technology agreements to be signed in Final Forms for important guidelines, procedures, and responsibilities.

    Remember the devices are for school use only, and the student is responsible for caring for their own device. Charges may apply for the repair of any damaged device. 

    Learn more on our Technology Department page. 

  • Image promoting school bus routes, featuring a school bus and text.

    Each school year, all eligible* XCS students will automatically be routed for transportation for the first few weeks of school. Routes may be adjusted as enrollment changes and/or students choose not to use school busing. 

    For the 2025-2026 school year, families will receive their student's bus route information through the email provided in Final Forms by Monday, August 18. These lists will include any students enrolled by the 5-day deadline.


    FIRSTVIEW APP
    First Student will continue to use the FirstView App to share up-to-the-moment updates with families and approved caregivers for students riding the bus to and from school, as well as during field trips or travel for athletics! 

    *NOTE: For security reasons, the district's access code for the app will change annually. You should only have to update the code one time each year, but you will need to update the code in order to access current Xenia Schools busing information. Please be aware that the code is not posted publicly, but will be shared with enrolled families the week before school starts. It will also be available at Open House events and from the office in your student's building.

    If you have not already created a FirstView account, you can do that by following the instructions in this Parent Registration Guide.


    TRANSPORTATION VARIANCE REQUEST FORM
    For non-XCS students eligible for busing, or XCS families who would like to request variance in their student's route, a parent/guardian may complete this request form.

    Note that this request should be used for a change that will be for an extended length of time, and should not be used for a single day change. 

    Have other questions about busing? Be sure to visit the Transportation page.

  • Image with the Xenia school logo and the words 'School FEES'.

    Xenia Community Schools no longer charges an annual Academic Fee* for students (effective beginning in the 2024-25 school year).

    Note that there will still be fees for participation in Athletics or other activity groups, as well as fees for expenses such as repairs for damaged Chromebooks, field trips, and other similar activities. This includes:

    • AP Test Fee (per subject) - $100
    • Athletic Pay-to-Participate Fee - $100 (cap at $200 per participant/$400 per family per year)

    For any family with a past-due account on Academic fees from a previous year, please reach out to the secretary in your child's building to make arrangements to pay the balance due. Flexible options are available. 

    *Approved at the July 15, 2024 regular meeting of the XCS Board of Education. 

  • Banner for Xenia Student Nutrition Services, featuring a school logo and food service.

    Once again this year, Xenia Community Schools is eligible to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) free breakfast and lunch program for ALL students K-12! 

    This means that the standard school breakfast and lunch will be free for all grades without additional paperwork.

    As in previous years, all a la carte options are still available for purchase at Warner Middle School and Xenia High School. Students may also purchase a second regular meal at any building.

    For students who choose to purchase a la carte food items in the cafeteria, you can choose to add money to your child's account balance online using your PaySchoolsCentral account. In fact, now is a great time to add to your child's balance so that they don't have to carry cash to school! 

    Students may also choose to pay in cash for those items, but should note that any "change due" for a purchase made with cash will be issued as a credit on their individual lunch account rather than in cash. This account balance can be used for future purchases, and can roll over from year-to-year. Any account balance can also be refunded by request upon leaving the district (withdraw or graduation). 

    If you have any questions or need assistance, contact our Student Nutrition Office at 937-562-9019 or by email at foodservice@xeniaschools.org.

  • Banner image with 'Health Services' text and a Xenia logo.

    Xenia Community Schools is committed to the health and well-being of every student, and our goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment for our school community. The district has four full-time nurses, as well as clinic aides to ensure that students receive minor treatment for any simple concerns, as well as provide maintenance care for any chronic conditions, manage health screenings, and oversee your child's medical records. 

    In addition, the district partners with Dayton Children's to provide healthcare options for any Xenia student in need of care! The school-based health center is housed at Warner Middle School, and transportation from each building is available. Learn more about the program on the health center page. 

    Note that families that are new to Xenia Community Schools will receive a welcome letter and packet from our school nurses in time for fall. 

    All XCS families can learn more about our clinic policies and procedures on the XCS Health Services page.

  • Banner promoting kindergarten readiness, featuring the Xenia school logo.

    All families who have completed their new Kindergarten student's enrollment will receive a welcome letter from their child's school beginning the first week of August with important information about their schedule and the start of the school year. 

    All Kindergarten screenings will be scheduled for during the first two weeks of August, by appointment only

    Families who have completed* their student's enrollment for fall will be invited to schedule their child's Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) screening through ParentSquare once our enrollment staff has confirmed your enrollment status. 


    FALL 2025 KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE
    Kindergarten ONLY Open House (Shawnee & Arrowood)

    • Arrowood: August 15 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
    • Shawnee: August 15 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

     

    Grades K-5 Open House (Cox, McKinley & Tecumseh)

    • Cox: August ????.
    • McKinley: August 18 from 5:00 – 5:45 p.m.
    • Tecumseh: August 18 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

    HEALTH SERVICES
    If you have not already done so, gather your child's Immunization Records! With certain exceptions, per XCS Board policy 5320, every student must meet Ohio's Immunizations for School Attendance Guidelines.

    Learn more about immunization requirements on our Clinics page.

    If your child needs immunizations and you do not have a regular doctor, or you simply have trouble scheduling an appointment, immunization appointments are available with the nurse practitioner from our school-based health center. Appointments are available throughout the summer, as well as during the Kindergarten screening dates in August.

    Appointments during the screening dates are limited, so be sure to schedule your appointment as soon as possible by calling the Dayton Children's school-based health center directly: 937-641-4623.


    FAQS ABOUT KINDERGARTEN 
    Want to know more about the screening process for Kindergarten?
    Most importantly, families should know that the kindergarten screening is not a test! During a brief evaluation session (approximately 15 minutes), your child will simply be assessed to measure their current knowledge and abilities in multiple areas, including: social skills, language and literacy, mathematics, physical well-being, and motor development.

    Watch this informational video from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to learn about the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).

    Want to know more about what to expect for Kindergarten?
    Be sure to explore specific topics about Kindergarten on this FAQs page for families from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.


    *Remember that a "complete" enrollment means that you have filled out all required forms online, and have submitted all required documents. Enrollment cannot be processed until all required information has been received! 

  • Xenia Preschool logo with the words 'Ready for Xenia Preschool'  with colorful ABC blocks.

    To apply for a spot at Xenia Preschool, families must complete* the regular school registration process online through Final Forms.  

    Upon completing the online application, Preschool families will be placed in line for available spaces, and scheduled for screening in late spring or prior to the start of the school year in August. Families should remember that space in Xenia Preschool is limited, and placement is not guaranteed. 

    Note that applications received during summer months may not be processed until late summer due to summer staffing levels. Families may not receive screening information until early August, depending on their application date.

    For 2025-2026:
    Monday, August 25: First Day of School for Preschool
    Thursday, August 21: Preschool Open Houses

    • Open House for AM Students: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    • Open House for PM Students: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

     

    Have questions about Xenia Preschool?
    Be sure to visit the Xenia Preschool page and read our Preschool FAQs for more information.

    *Remember that a "complete" enrollment means that you have filled out all required forms online, and have submitted all required documents. Enrollment cannot be processed until all required information has been received!