PRICHARD, Ala. — Monday marked a big day along the Gulf Coast as the Mobile County Public School System welcomed back roughly 50,000 students for the first day of the 2026-27 school year. MCPSS is the largest school system in Alabama, spanning 90 schools across the county.
At Robbins Elementary School in Prichard, faculty and staff greeted returning students with smiles, high-fives and hugs as buses and cars pulled in for the morning drop-off.
Fourth grader Carter Inge said he was more than ready for summer to end. “I was not wanting summer to go longer,” he said, laughing. “I was ready for it to end!” He said his favorite part of school is learning new subjects, from science to gym class. “My favorite part about school is we get to learn new stuff. We learn about science, and we get to play in P.E.,” he said.
Teachers felt their own mix of nerves and excitement heading into the new year. Third grade teacher Dewan Davis, who has taught at Robbins for four years, said the first day sets the tone for everything that follows. “It’s nervousness for us, but it’s so important,” Davis said, adding that her favorite part of the job is “seeing the excitement on my students’ faces when they unlock their knowledge.”
Davis said building relationships starts immediately. “We meet all of our new babies and just trying to create that bond and culture in our classroom,” she said.
Students at Robbins said kindness is central to a good school year. “Always be kind to each other. Treat others how you want to be treated, and always follow directions,” Carter said.
The first day comes as MCPSS continues broader efforts to support students and families across the district, including recent additions like the new “Speak Up” safety-reporting app and continued gains in reducing chronic absenteeism countywide.