The new Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School on St. Croix, where students will report Monday as all public schools in the district open on their normal schedules for the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Photo Credit: EMJ PHOTOGRAPHY | VI CONSORTIUM
Public schools across St. Croix and the St. Thomas-St. John District will open Monday on their normal schedules for the start of the 2026-2027 school year, with one exception: students in kindergarten through third grade at Lockhart School on St. Thomas must remain home while contractor work on their classrooms is completed.
The V.I. Department of Education announced the territorywide opening status Sunday, following ongoing work at several campuses involving air-conditioning systems, air-quality concerns, roof leaks and modular classrooms. The department also said a contractor has now been secured to address the gymnasium roof at St. Croix Educational Complex High School, with that work expected to take approximately one week.
All St. Croix Public Schools Will Open
Every public school in the St. Croix District will open Monday and operate on its normal schedule, according to VIDE.
The department said there are no public schools in the district that are unable to receive students on the first day of classes.
That includes the St. Croix Educational Complex, where the department continues to address facility concerns and has secured a contractor for the gymnasium roof.
The anticipated roof work will take approximately one week.
Lockhart K-3 Students Must Remain Home
All public schools in the St. Thomas-St. John District will also open Monday on their normal schedules, but students in grades K-3 at Lockhart School are the exception.
Their start date has been delayed because contractor work must be completed before the affected classrooms can receive students.
Parents and guardians of Lockhart K-3 students should keep their children home until an official opening date is announced. Education said families will be contacted directly once a return date has been established, and a public announcement will also be issued.
The department emphasized that Lockhart School itself is not closed.
Students in grades 4-8 are expected to report Monday as scheduled. The delayed start applies only to kindergarten through third grade.
Repairs Will Continue After Schools Open
Education acknowledged that reopening campuses does not mean all outstanding facility work has been completed.
BCSM continues addressing air-conditioning repairs and replacements, air-quality issues, leaking roofs and repairs to modular classrooms at campuses across the territory.
Education Commissioner Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington said the department recognizes that additional work remains.
“Opening our schools is about more than unlocking doors it is about creating environments where our students and educators can learn, grow, and thrive,” said Commissioner of Education Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington. “We recognize that work remains, and we will not minimize the challenges before us. We are addressing them directly while prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of our students and employees and continuing the important work of improving our school facilities.”
Facilities work is expected to continue during the coming months, with BCSM working alongside district leadership, school administrators, contractors and other partners to address outstanding repairs and improvements.
The department thanked educators, employees, volunteers, parents, contractors, community stakeholders and other partners who assisted with preparations for the new school year.
“Preparing our schools for students is a shared responsibility, and we are grateful to everyone who stepped forward and helped us prepare for the new school year,” Commissioner Wells-Hedrington added. “Our work does not end when our school doors open. We will continue working diligently, transparently, and collaboratively to address outstanding needs and ensure that our schools provide environments where students can succeed.”
Education urged parents, students and other residents to rely on the department’s official communication channels for information about school operations, facilities, schedule changes and other updates, and to verify information through VIDE before sharing it.
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