It's not like Christmas or Easter or the Fourth of July. It's not even a holiday.

But neither is it a typical day. The first day of school is a special day in the Conestoga Valley School District (CVSD).

Earlier this year than most, the start of school for students and staff is quickly approaching.

"It's a week earlier because we're trying to get done before the end of May," said Matt Fox, who's entering his third year as principal of Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS). "I think (the first day of school is) unique in that it's really exciting. We want to meet new students and reconnect with the old ones. We have a new senior class, and the freshmen are coming into our building for the first time."

Wednesday, Aug. 20, will be the first day of school in CVSD's six buildings - CVHS, Gerald G. Huesken Middle School, Brownstown Elementary School, Fritz Elementary School, Leola Elementary School and Smoketown Elementary School. Last year, CVSD students and staff began their school year on Aug. 26.

The 180-day 2025-26 school year will end on May 29, and CVHS commencement exercises for the Class of 2026 will be conducted at Calvary Church on May 28.

"I get to greet students at the front door on the first day," said Fox. "With the way the schedule works, we're going to meet with each class. I'm looking forward to welcoming the students. I want them to feel part of the building and feel part of the process and really kick their time off in a positive way."

In preparation for the first day of school, CVHS conducted self-guided open houses on Aug. 12 and 13 for students and their families.

"If there's a level of anxiety for the students, I think it's based on past experiences with school, and I think it's the same with teachers," said Fox, a resident of Millersville. "I don't think it's a dread as much as an anxiety about how the school year is going to be. It's a fresh start, but it really depends on the individual students and teachers. I think across the board it's a very exciting day. I think our staff and students look forward to reconnecting with peers."

The typical school day at CVHS begins at 7:40 a.m. and concludes at 2:26 p.m. The day is broken into five 68-minute classes.

"I think the school district is an extension of our community," said Fox. "We're really excited to have the administrative team returning for a third year. We're welcoming some new teachers, but it's pretty much a veteran staff. We're having kids come in and hopefully really hitting the ground running."

The 2024-25 school year ended on June 6. The 75 days of summer break have all been used to prepare for the new school year.

"The way I view (the start of school), it's a return to routine," said Fox. "A lot of our summer is used for curriculum development, setting up classrooms, meetings and planning, and we do a lot of cleaning. It's really about looking at our yearly goals and yearly expectations."

There are nearly 4,000 students - residents of East Lampeter Township, Upper Leacock Township and West Earl Township - enrolled in the CVSD, 1,282 of whom attend CVHS, which is located at 2110 Horseshoe Road, Lancaster. CVSD, which was formally established in 1958, is a member of the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13.

"I think our students are coming in trying to find what their next steps are," said Fox. "Our job is to prepare them for different directions. A little over 40% of our graduates go on to secondary education. But whatever they choose, we really want to set them up for success."

"I think education is a personalized experience," he continued. "It allows every student to find whatever skills they have and helps develop their areas of interest. We want them to impact the world whatever route they choose."

For additional information, go to http://www.conestogavalley.org.