Back-to-school season brings big transitions, new expectations, and a lot of preparation for kids and their families. For foster parents, it can feel like juggling a dozen new things.
From navigating school forms to advocating for a child’s specific needs, the unique experience of foster families is often invisible to those outside the foster care community.
For kids in foster care, starting a new school or grade means more than new pencils and notebooks. Foster parents can help the child in their care feel safe, supported, and seen as they head back to school.
For many families, the start of a new school year means shopping lists, bus schedules, and after-school activities. But for foster families, this season can also come with emotional, logistical, and relational challenges.
Children in foster care may be adjusting to a new home, recovering from trauma, or dealing with gaps in education — and that means they may need extra support as they return to the classroom.
Here are some key ways you can help your child as the new school year begins:
Foster parents can help create positivity and confidence at a time that can feel scary and overwhelming for the child in their care, but communication can make all the difference.
Beyond school enrollment, foster parents often navigate additional steps that require coordination with third parties, such as caseworkers and school liaisons.
Nearly 270,000 children in foster care are of school age. Unfortunately, many of these students have experienced multiple placements, changes in caregivers, or interruptions in their education. This can make academic performance and motivation to succeed in school more challenging.
But, preparation with the following steps reduces these educational disruptions to help kids in foster care succeed throughout the school year.
Beyond basic enrollment, schedule a brief meeting with your child's teacher to share key information that will help them succeed. Focus on practical details: "Sarah does better with advance notice before transitions" or "If Michael seems overwhelmed, a quick check-in usually helps him refocus."
If your child has experienced recent placement changes, mention this: "This is David's third school in two years, so he may need extra reassurance about routines and expectations."
Ask specific questions too: "What's your preferred way to communicate if issues come up?" or "How do you typically handle students who need a few extra minutes to process instructions?"
A binder or folder with birth certificates (if available), immunization records, court orders, and IEPs can save time when meeting with school staff and enrolling your child. It also reduces stress when official paperwork is requested.
Include previous school records and any evaluations. If documents are missing, let the school know you're working to obtain them.
Some school districts have a dedicated foster care liaison - ask about this resource when you first contact the school.
These individuals can help get your child enrolled faster, set up transportation, and ensure their rights are protected under federal law.
If your district doesn't have a liaison, ask who handles enrollment for students in foster care.
Transitions can be unsettling for anyone — especially for kids. Many children in foster care come from environments where consistency may have been lacking or unpredictable. Establishing predictable routines is one of the most powerful ways to create safety and structure.
Visual tools provide an easy way to help ease anxiety and promote independence for the back-to-school season.
For example, you could create a simple morning checklist with pictures or icons alongside words: brush teeth, eat breakfast, grab backpack, hug goodbye. Or, post a weekly calendar showing school days, any appointments, and fun activities so children can see what's coming.
For younger children, use timers or color-coding to show how long activities take. Older kids might prefer a phone app or planner they can check off themselves. The key is making routines visible and predictable.
A few fun practice sessions of the morning schedule — wake up, have breakfast, get dressed — can smooth out hiccups before the first day and provide a sense of family togetherness. This is especially helpful if the child has had frequent moves or an irregular schedule.
Mornings and evenings often bring stress during the school week, so be sure to show your child flexibility and positive support. Building in five minutes of quiet reading before bed or a fun “brain break” between homework and dinner can help everyone decompress.
Small gestures send a message: You are safe, you are loved, and you are not alone. Incorporating small acts of care into routines not only strengthens connection but also helps create a sense of stability and belonging.
Try incorporating simple acts on school days for your child in foster care, like:
Showing love in meaningful, everyday ways doesn’t have to be complicated. There are plenty of other strategies for showing love to your child in foster care, too.
The emotional layer of back-to-school prep is sometimes easy to overlook. But for many children, walking into a new classroom can bring up fears of being judged or anxiety about the unknown.
Starting a new school year can mean new classmates, new teachers, and inevitable questions about family.
For children in foster care, this can feel overwhelming — especially if they're unsure what to share or how to respond.
Some children in foster care may be with new families and starting at a completely new school. They might wonder what they should share (or not share) with new classmates, and if anyone will ask them questions that feel uncomfortable or difficult to answer.
The reality is that kids will always find things to talk about, and they often seem to home in on the difficult subjects. That's why it's important to have open conversations at home about their story before school starts.
Each child's story will be different, and the amount and type of information you and the child in your care are comfortable sharing will vary. Those conversations at home can give kids practice, comfort, and familiarity with talking about their stories.
Help your child understand that they can decide how much information to share or not to share at all. You might practice simple responses together like:
We all want our children to be successful in school — so take the time to help them prepare, not only for math problems, but also for questions around foster care or adoption issues.
Some kids might talk about their feelings directly. Others might show you through negative behaviors or avoidance. Instead of pushing away from more challenging interactions, try saying, “It makes sense that this is hard.”
Follow up with simple questions like "What part feels hardest?" or "How can I help?" without pressuring them to share more than they're ready for.
Behind the scenes, a great foster care social worker can be a key partner in advocating for services, coordinating school communication, and supporting emotional needs.
School days can be emotionally and mentally draining for any child. Build in 15-30 minutes of low-key time when they first get home. Consider:
Let them lead this time. Some kids need to talk immediately, others need quiet space before they're ready to share.
Avoid jumping immediately into homework. A consistent buffer helps them transition from school mode to home mode, showing that home is a safe place just to be themselves.
Be sure to reinforce that you are there for them through communication and loving acceptance every day.
It can be difficult for kids to navigate making friends and other social interactions under the best of circumstances.
It’s also important for foster parents to recognize that the child in their care may have trouble or reluctance expressing any negative ways they may be treated at school.
Children may worry about being different or fear that sharing problems will cause more upheaval in their lives. They might downplay hurtful comments from peers or avoid talking about uncomfortable situations entirely.
Watch for changes in behavior, reluctance to go to school, or withdrawal from activities they previously enjoyed. Create regular, low-pressure opportunities for them to share about their day — sometimes kids open up more during car rides or while doing activities together.
Providing social support in these cases is as vital as academic support. Gently encourage communication, provide unconditional acceptance, and seek professional assistance to guide the child in your care through social situations at school.
By age 21, only about 65 percent of youth in foster care have graduated high school, compared to approximately 85 percent of their peers.
For students in foster care, academic success often starts with rebuilding trust in the learning process.
If the child in your care has trouble focusing or reading at grade level, you can request a formal evaluation. Don’t wait for a teacher to raise concerns. Being proactive helps unlock quicker support and can prevent them from falling further behind.
Many schools now offer pull-out services (where your child works with a specialist outside the regular classroom), one-on-one tutoring, or flexible deadlines. Ask what’s available, and work with school officials to match support to your child’s needs.
Regular communication with teachers helps you spot both challenges and successes early. Ask for brief updates every few weeks — a quick email, phone call, or note can go a long way in keeping you informed. Even if everything seems fine, staying connected ensures that minor issues don’t grow into bigger problems.
Consider setting up a communication log or email thread that includes teachers, caseworkers, and counselors so everyone is on the same page.
You might ask questions like: “How is my child adjusting socially?” or “Have you noticed any changes in focus or behavior?”
And don’t forget to check in with your child: Get their perspective on how school is going, both academically and socially. Be sure not to pressure them, but reassure them that you are there to listen and help if needed.
Focus on your child’s effort, not just achievement. Say things like, “You worked really hard on that” or “You didn’t give up, even when it was tough.”
Children in foster care may have experienced criticism or inconsistent feedback, so these encouraging messages help build resilience and confidence.
Look for small wins to celebrate - completing homework, asking for help when needed, or trying something new. You can also incorporate daily affirmations to reinforce positive messages about their abilities and worth.
The goal is helping them see themselves as capable learners who can overcome challenges.
You don’t have to do this alone as a foster parent. Building a team around the child in foster care — with teachers, caseworkers, counselors — creates a stronger, more sustainable support system.
Wraparound supports are additional services that work together to support your child's overall well-being.
Outside of school, many children benefit from therapy, mentoring, or community-based programs.
Examples include counseling to process trauma, after-school tutoring programs, sports or arts activities, mentorship through Big Brothers Big Sisters, or after-school programs through Boys & Girls Club.
These supports can reinforce progress at home and school by providing consistent messages and additional safe relationships for your child.
Whether it’s a Facebook group or a local support group, talking to others in the foster care community about school topics can be helpful and encouraging.
Understand that challenges are normal. A strong, consistent support network and healthy relationships with other foster parents can be the difference between disengagement and graduation for a child in foster care.
Starting a new school year brings lots of questions for foster families. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns foster parents have as they help children in their care prepare for academic success.
Notebooks, folders, pencils, markers, scissors, glue sticks, and backpacks are commonly required school supplies. Some children may need additional items like sensory tools or headphones for focus. Always check with the school for a class-specific list, and work with your support system to identify what else is needed after school starts.
Yes, foster care stipends are intended to cover the basic needs of children in your care, including educational expenses like school supplies, clothing, and activity fees. Keep in mind that stipend amounts vary by state.
Yes. Children in foster care automatically qualify for free breakfast and lunch under the National School Lunch Program. Contact the school’s food service office to ensure the correct paperwork is taken care of.
Many nonprofits and community groups run back‑to‑school programs specifically for kids in foster care. For example, Foster Love (formerly Together We Rise) organizes backpack and school‑supply drives, and local foster‑parent associations or community partners often provide supplies or small stipends.
Start by meeting with school staff to prepare them. Help the child learn the school layout with a walk-through or map. Establish consistent routines at home and rehearse social interactions. Use books, stories, or play to talk about what school may be like. Offer reassurance and plan for after-school downtime to decompress.
Supporting a child in foster care through the ups and downs of daily life can feel challenging — but the right tools can make it easier.
With this 50+ Calming Strategies for Kids in Foster Care guide, you’ll gain practical techniques to help children feel safe, supported, and understood. From quick breathing exercises to sensory-friendly activities, you’ll have a ready-to-use toolkit for even the toughest moments.