Columbia Public Schools welcomes students back Tuesday for 150th year

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools will welcome students back to the classroom Tuesday to kick off its 150th year.

CPS expects nearly 19,000 students to be enrolled this year, making it the fifth-largest district in the state. Like other districts, CPS has struggled in the past two years with COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges such as staffing and lost instruction time.

The school will have nearly 9,500 students riding buses Tuesday morning and afternoon and CPS officials urge drivers to be prepared for the extra traffic. School zones will be busy as buses and cars drop off and pick up students.

Classes at middle schools start at 7:30 a.m. -- the earliest start time for CPS buildings. Times for other schools are staggered, with high schools starting their days at about 9 a.m.

ABC 17 News will air reports on school safety at CPS and a live interview with Superintendent Brian Yearwood during its morning newscast Tuesday.

Other schools returning to class Tuesday: Boonville, Camdenton, Hallsville, Moberly, North Callaway