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Photos: Here’s a look at Salt Lake City’s first day of school for 2026

The Tribune was there to capture students’ joy, nerves and excitement.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students arrive on the first day of school at Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students arrive on the first day of school at Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

By https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/sltrib/3ab0da87-a93f-43be-9630-295049d554b0.png Carmen Nesbitt
 | Aug. 18, 2026, 11:31 a.m.
| Updated: 5:03 p.m.

Salt Lake City students returned to class Tuesday as the new 2026-27 school year began.

At Beacon Heights Elementary, in Sugar House, sneakers pattered through the hallways and backpacks rustled as students there, like so many others, greeted their new teachers.

A short walk away, at Hillside Middle School, students there were met with high-fives, cheers and welcome signs as they stepped into their school building.

The Salt Lake Tribune was there to capture their joy, nerves and excitement.

See the photos:

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fourth grade teacher Gina Vaughan welcomes students on the first day of school at Beacon Heights Elementary in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students arrive on the first day of school at Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students arrive on the first day of school at Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students arrive on the first day of school at Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students on the first day of school at Beacon Heights Elementary in Salt Lake City.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students arrive on the first day of school at Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) The first day of school at Beacon Heights Elementary in Salt Lake City.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Students on the first day of school at Beacon Heights Elementary in Salt Lake City.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) The first day of school is marked on a calendar at Beacon Heights Elementary in Salt Lake City.

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