Education

Photo gallery: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools first day of class

By The' Pham

More than 141,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students are back in class for the year.

Monday was the first day of school for the district. There were hugs and kisses goodbye as parents dropped off their little ones. Yellow buses back on the roads. And students wearing their first-day outfits.

Superintendent Crystal Hill rode the bus with students to Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School.

Here are some photos from CMS’ first day.

Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Principal Patrick Brann greets students in class during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Principal Patrick Brann greets students in class during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill visits a classroom during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill visits a classroom during the first day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill arrives with a bus of students during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill arrives with a bus of students during the first day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill visits a classroom during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill visits a classroom during the first day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students arrive for the first day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill visits a classroom during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill visits a classroom during the first day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first lesson of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students get started on their first assignment of the day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first assignment of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students get started on their first assignment of the day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first assignment of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students get started on their first assignment of the day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first assignment of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students get started on their first assignment of the day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first assignment of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students get started on their first assignment of the day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Principal Patrick Brann greets students in class during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Principal Patrick Brann greets students at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first assignment of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students get started on their first assignment of the day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first assignment of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students get started on their first assignment of the day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students arrive for the first day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
A student waits for the bell before first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
A student waits for the bell before first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first lesson of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students get started on their first assignment of the day at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
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