With August 11 just around the corner, is your family ready for school?
You can support your children through activities and experiences that help develop their ability to think, problem-solve, and communicate effectively in and out of the classroom with:
- a healthy lifestyle (adequate rest, proper brain-friendly nutrition, and emotional comfort)
- a safe learning environment at home
- opportunities for enjoyable and mentally stimulating learning activities such as reading, creative writing, model-building, puzzles, gaming (problem-solving), and exposure to the arts and culture.
Here are some great resources to make sure you and your children are ready for school.
- Alachua County Public Schools Enrollment and Registration
Alachua County Public Schools Enrollment and Registration
Get information on everything needed to enroll your child in one of Alachua County's public schools. You can find everything you need, including the online registration form, all necessary health records and documentation needed for each age, an interactive zoning map, and much more.
- Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
You will have thirty-one days without having to pay sales tax (7% in Alachua County) on school supplies from Aug. 1 - Aug. 31 .What is considered school supplies?
- Clothing and footwear less than $100 each
- School uniforms less than $100 per item
- Wallets and bags including handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags. Excludes briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags less than $100 per item
- School supplies selling for $50 or less per item such as: pencils, erasers, crayons, notebooks, notebook filler paper, legal pads, binders, lunch boxes, construction paper, markers, folders, poster board, composition books, poster paper, scissors, cellophane tape, glue or paste, rulers, computer disks, staplers and staples used to secure paper products, protractors, compasses, and calculators
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles that cost $30 or less per item including: flashcards or other learning cards, matching or other memory games, puzzle books and search-and find books, interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills, and stacking or nesting blocks or sets.
- Computers: the first $1,500 of the sales price of personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use
You can also view the Florida Department of Revenue's full list of acceptable items on their 2025 Back to School Sale Tax Holiday publication.
- Library Resources
- SSYRA (Sunshine State Young Readers Awards) and Florida Teen Reads books
Often assigned by teachers as part of their summer reading lists, the library buys extra copies of all these books and eBooks. Many of these books are always available for checkout via Libby or OverDrive. Check out more information about the SSYRA and FTR books at: - Student Library Cards
Student library cards are offered to all registered students at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School and The Rock School. With a student card you can access our scholarly databases and also borrow from our physical and electronic book collection. For more information, please check out the Student Library Cards page. - Databases
Free library databases are a great resource for back to school because of the wide variety of information and services they provide.- Learning Express helps you to prepare for standardized tests, career entrance exams, and other common assessments. Homework help and career resources are also available.
- WorldBook is an online reference source containing every article from the 22-volume print encyclopedia, plus thousands more.
- Transparent Language is a wonderful and fun way to learn a new language.
- NoveList K-8 Plus and NoveList Plus are great ways of find information on books like grade level, AR Points, writing styles, and much more. It is also a great way to find similar books to your current favorite reads.
- If you are homeschooled or looking to homeschool, the library is your greatest resource. Whether this is your first time or you have been homeschooling for years, the library has something for everyone. Check out the Homeschool Resources available to our patrons for tips, curriculum, and more! Join us on Saturday, August 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Millhopper Branch for the Homeschool Resource Fair.
- Are you looking for a quiet place to study? Meeting and Study Rooms are available at several of our library locations. Reserve a meeting room online or book a study room in person or by phone.
- SSYRA (Sunshine State Young Readers Awards) and Florida Teen Reads books
And for community back-to-school events, check out Fun4GatorKids' Back to School page.