The Los Angeles Unified School District officially launched the 2026-27 school year during its annual Opening of Schools Address on July 21 at Garfield High School.

LAUSD Superintendent Andrés E. Chait celebrated the dedication of educators and school leaders, highlighted continued academic progress and outlined the district’s commitment to strengthening the school experience for every student. The first day of instruction is Aug. 12.

The annual address reflected Chait’s message that schools must remain at the center of all district decisions. Under the leadership of principal Regina Marquez Martinez, Garfield High School served as a backdrop for a gathering of principals, administrators, LAUSD Board members, elected officials, community partners and education leaders.

“This is a family gathering,” Chait said. “And like any family gathering, it’s important to recognize the people who make this community what it is.”

Chait recognized the leadership of school administrators and educators who have guided schools through unprecedented challenges, including the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving student needs, immigration enforcement concerns, declining enrollment and budget pressures. Chait announced that preliminary 2026 California Smarter Balanced Assessment results show the district is on track for record-setting academic achievement for the second consecutive year in English language arts, mathematics and science.

The results continue a three-year trend of year-over-year growth across the subjects and reflects progress across student groups, including accelerated gains among historically underserved students who are narrowing achievement gaps and improving at rates that exceed overall district growth.

“These are collective accomplishments,” Chait said. “They reflect the dedication, skill and commitment of our entire community.”

He also highlighted additional areas of progress, including increased access to advanced placement coursework, continued graduation success and improvements in early literacy among the district’s youngest learners. Chait emphasized that behind every data point are stories of students, educators and communities overcoming challenges.

A central theme, Chait also renewed focus on schools as the heart of community life and student opportunity.

“The schoolhouse is the daily rehearsal of what it means to live together. It’s where children learn to sit next to someone different from them, to share supplies, to speak up, to fail and try again,” Chait said.

He also called on educators, administrators, labor partners and district leaders to move forward together through collaboration and shared purpose.

“The challenges we are facing are system wide. They require us to work together as a group of people, as a unified school district, centered on a common purpose,” he said. “Our responsibility is to lead with both challenge and progress in mind. We will be disciplined. We will be strategic. And we will be clear about what matters most.”

For information, visit lausd.org.