Schedule for Los Alamos Public Schools for 2026-2027 school year. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) will welcome students back to school for the start of the 2026-2027 school year on Monday, Aug. 10. Preschool students will start on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

LAPS facilities and custodial staff have been working diligently to get all school sites ready to welcome students back.

School Hours

All LAPS students will be released one hour early on Fridays this school year.

• Elementary students in 4Y preschool through 6th grade will attend school 8:10 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:10 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. on Friday.
• Middle school students will attend 8:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:40 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
• High school students will attend 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

The A/B calendars and bell schedules for middle and high school students may be found on each school site’s website.

Special Events

Class lists at all elementary schools will be posted at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. Students will be able to meet their teachers and drop off school supplies in their classrooms.

Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) is hosting a materials pick-up event on Wednesday, Aug. 5. LAMS students should plan to attend during their assigned time by grade and last name. The school will not be issuing textbooks or PE uniforms during this time. These will be issued during the first week of school. Those with PE during the second semester will get their PE uniforms then. Helpful hint: Avoid the long line by not coming at the very beginning of your time slot.

8TH Grade Times

• Last Names A – G, 9 – 9:45 a.m.
• Last Names H – N, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.
• Last Name O – Z, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

7TH Grade Times

• Last Names A – G, noon – 12:45 p.m.
• Last Names H – N, 12:45 – 1:30 p.m.
• Last Names O – Z, 1:30 – 2:15 p.m.

Orientation for incoming 7th graders and middle school students new to LAPS will be held from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7.

Los Alamos High School is hosting orientation for incoming freshmen and high school students new to LAPS from 8:30 – 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7.

All school sites are providing students and families with more information about the start of the new school year.

School Site Leadership

School site administration teams have already been back on campuses preparing for the upcoming school year.

Leadership staff at each school site:

Aspen Elementary

• Principal Liz Janusz
• Assistant Principal Shannon Trujillo

Barranca Mesa Elementary

• Principal Kristen Martines
• Assistant Principal Audrey Juliani

Chamisa Elementary

• Principal Elizabeth Meek

Mountain Elementary

• Principal Megan Lee
• Assistant Principal Jennifer Schmierer

Piñon Elementary

• Principal Ivanna Austell
• Assistant Principal Jennifer Kieltyka

Los Alamos Middle School

• Principal Alicia Cardiel
• Assistant Principal Colby Holland
• Assistant Principal Meagan Selis

Los Alamos High School

• Principal Jill Gonzales
• Assistant Principal Caron Inglis
• Assistant Principal/Activities Director Suzanne Montoya
• Athletic Director Guy Meyer

Registration

If students haven’t already completed registration for the 2026-2027 school year, please go to the Registration page on the LAPS website and complete the process as soon as possible. Middle and high school students who completed course selection are also required to complete registration, as this is a different process than course selection. The registration process must be completed before starting school. For questions regarding registration, please contact Rosa Schmitz at r.schmitz@laschools.net or 505.663.2201.

Transportation

Each student that meets the requirements to ride the school bus must complete a 2026-2027 Student Bus Card, which may be found on the Bus Services page on the LAPS website. Los Alamos Public Schools provides bus service for all Los Alamos County elementary students who live at least 1 mile from the school, for middle school students who live 1.5 miles from the school, and for high school students who live 2 miles from the school.

Bus routes are also posted on the LAPS website. Frequently check the website for route updates prior to the start of school. Route timing and stop sequence may change based on the bus cards received prior to the first day of school.

School Supply Lists

School supply lists are posted on each school website. Go to www.laschools.net and click on the applicable school. Or check out the Back to School page.

Food Services

LAPS will once again offer a free breakfast and lunch to all students during the 2026-2027 school year, using the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) model pertaining to USDA and NSLP requirements. This model provides students with more of a choice for both breakfast and lunch service.

If a student has a dietary need (including vegan requests), this must be communicated to the school site nurse. The school site will inform their food service partner so they can prepare the requested meal for the student. Menus may be viewed online at https://laschools.nutrislice.com/menu.

Even though all students can participate in the breakfast and lunch program, LAPS  encourages all families to complete the free and reduced meal program application.  These applications are used for other important funding opportunities which support the district and our students. Also, students become eligible for reduced fees at school sites based on these applications. Please use the online option at www.schoolcafe.com.

If unable to complete the online option please download a copy of the  Free and Reduced Meal Program Application (en español). Instructions for this application can be found at USDA Application Instructions. Email the completed form to the Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Safety at m.johnson@laschools.net.

More information about the LAPS Food Services may be found on the LAPS website.

Athletics

Varsity football began practices on Monday, Aug. 3. High school soccer, cross country, golf, tennis and volleyball practices begin on Monday, Aug. 10. The fall sports season at the middle school starts on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Middle school and high school students who want to participate in any sport at Los Alamos Public Schools must complete the athletic registration prior to participation in practices and competitions.  More information about athletics and the registration process may be found on the LAPS website under Athletics.

Contact: the LAHS Athletics department at 505-663-2531 with any questions.

Season passes and all tickets for fall athletic events will go on sale beginning Aug. 10. They may be purchased in advance or with a debit/credit card at the gate. Cash will not be accepted at the gate.

All season passes include entry to all middle school games as well as high school regular season games. Passes are good for admission to all regular season home games but will not be accepted for any postseason events. The cost for a season pass is $85 for an individual, $50 for a student (K-6), military or senior citizen (65 or older) or $175 for a family of four.

The Hilltoppers open their varsity football season hosting the Española Valley High School Sundevils 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.

Middle school and high school sports schedules are published on RankOne.

Open House

Each school site will host an Open House for families to visit with teachers and staff at the start of the school year.

Open Houses are scheduled 5:30-7 p.m. as follows:

• Aspen Elementary: Thursday, Aug. 12
• Barranca Mesa Elementary: Tuesday, Aug. 25
• Chamisa Elementary: Wednesday, Aug. 12
• Mountain Elementary: Tuesday, Aug. 18
• Piñon Elementary: Wednesday, Aug. 19
• Los Alamos Middle School: Thursday, Aug. 20
• Los Alamos High School: Wednesday, Aug. 26

Construction Update

LAPS is putting the finishing touches on Chamisa Elementary School and Piñon Elementary School before the start of the new school year. Playgrounds and parking lots are nearing completion. LAPS looks forward to showing the public its new beautiful schools.