120 First Day of School Quotes, Captions and Wishes From Preschool to Senior Year

The best first day of school quotes are short and hopeful, like "Be kind, be brave, be you." This list has 120 original 1st day of school quotes, first day of school sayings, captions and wishes. Each quote for first day of school here is new. They cover preschool, kindergarten, first grade, high school and the last first day of senior year. There are also quotes from mom and quotes for students.

Which quotes for the first day of school to use

Section	Best for
Short quotes	Signs, notes
Kindergarten	Kindergarteners and parents
Preschool and pre-k	Little ones
First grade	First graders
From mom	Lunchbox notes, social posts
For students	Classrooms, teachers
High school	Ninth graders
Last first day	Seniors
Captions	Instagram, Facebook
Wishes and blessings	Cards, prayers
Quote of the day	Whiteboards

Short quotes for first day of school

Short quotes for first day of school signs, lunchbox notes and photo boards. Each first day of school quote here is under 10 words.

1. "New year, new pencils, same big heart."
2. "Today you start a brand new chapter."
3. "Be kind, be brave, be you."
4. "Backpack on, fears off."
5. "Big day, bigger dreams."
6. "Ready, set, learn."
7. "First day, first steps, first friends."
8. "You've got this, superstar."
9. "Go learn something amazing today."
10. "Fresh start, bright future."
11. "Smile, say hi, try your best."
12. "Little backpack, giant courage."
13. "One day closer to everything you'll become."
14. "The first page of a great story."
15. "School's in. Let's go."

First day of kindergarten quotes

First day of kindergarten quotes for the morning photo and the moment you let go of a small hand. These quotes about first day of kindergarten fit a card, a sign or a caption. Use these 1st day of kindergarten quotes and first day at kindergarten quotes on the porch sign. There are first day of kindergarten quotes for my son and for daughters.

1. "Kindergarten, here I come. Ready or not."
2. "Big kid backpack, little kid smile."
3. "Today you start kindergarten. Tomorrow you start everything else."
4. "You hold my hand to the door. Then you let go and fly."
5. "My baby is a kindergartner. Pass the tissues."
6. "Kindergarten class of new friends and big crayons."
7. "First day at kindergarten, first day of forever learning."
8. "ABC, 123, kindergarten ready."
9. "Watch out, kindergarten. I've got snacks and questions."
10. "Five years of hugs packed into one tiny backpack."
11. "She waved goodbye. I cried in the car."
12. "Kindergarten won't know what hit it."

First day of preschool quotes and sayings

First day of preschool quotes and first day of preschool sayings for little ones taking their first school steps. These also work as first day of prek quotes and 1st day of preschool quotes. Pick from these quotes for first day of preschool for the classroom door.

1. "Preschool, here I come with my tiny backpack."
2. "My first day of school, and I packed my best smile."
3. "Little learner, big adventure."
4. "Preschool: where play is the lesson."
5. "Tiny shoes, big steps."
6. "Off to preschool. Mom is the one who needs a hug."
7. "Today I paint, sing and make new friends."
8. "Pre-K ready, snack approved."
9. "Learning, laughing and maybe a little nap."
10. "My first classroom and my first new friends."

First grade quotes

First grade quotes for first graders who are now officially big kids. These quotes for first graders fit a sign or a note. They double as 1st grade quotes and first grader quotes for the class photo.

1. "First grade, big grade."
2. "Reading, writing and recess. Let's go."
3. "First grader and proud of it."
4. "Look out, first grade. I'm ready."
5. "One more year, one more grade, one more step."
6. "I'm a first grader now. I know stuff."
7. "First grade: where reading gets real."
8. "Lunchbox packed, brain ready, first grade here I come."

First day of school quotes from mom

First day of school quotes for child, written by mom or dad. Use these first day of school quotes for my son on a lunchbox note or a social post. There are first day of school quotes for daughter too.

1. "I'll miss you all day. Go have the best one."
2. "My heart walks into school with you."
3. "You're braver than you feel, sweetheart."
4. "Have fun, make friends and listen to your teacher."
5. "No matter what happens today, I'm proud of you."
6. "I'll be right here when the bell rings."
7. "Go shine, my love. The world is waiting."
8. "Every first day makes me a little prouder and a little teary."
9. "Son, be the kid who sits with the new kid."
10. "Daughter, your voice matters. Raise your hand."
11. "I packed your lunch with love and extra crackers."
12. "You're growing up too fast. Go anyway."

First day of school quotes for students

First day of school quotes for students of every age. These back to school quotes for students also work as inspiring first day of school quotes from a teacher. Write first day of school inspirational quotes like these on the board.

1. "Everyone in this room started at zero."
2. "Mistakes help you learn. Make some."
3. "Your attitude is the best school supply."
4. "Today is a blank page. Write something good."
5. "Be curious. Ask the question."
6. "Learning is a superpower. Use it."
7. "Show up, try hard, be kind."
8. "This year, choose effort over excuses."
9. "Your future self will thank you for today."
10. "Great things start with a first day."
11. "You belong in this classroom."
12. "Be the reason someone smiles today."

First day of high school quotes

First day of high school quotes for ninth graders walking into bigger halls.

1. "High school: four years to find out who you are."
2. "New halls, new faces, same awesome you."
3. "Freshman year starts now. Make it count."
4. "Don't follow the crowd. Find your people."
5. "Big school, bigger opportunities."
6. "Be kind to freshmen. You were one today."
7. "Lockers, classes and a whole new chapter."
8. "Stay curious, stay you."
9. "Your high school story starts with page one."
10. "Grades matter. Kindness matters more."

Last first day of school quotes

Last first day of school quotes for seniors and parents. Last first day of high school quotes hit hard, so keep tissues nearby. Some families spell it last first day of highschool quotes on the sign.

1. "Last first day. First of many lasts."
2. "Senior year, here we go."
3. "Twelve first days down, one to go."
4. "Last first day of high school. How did that happen?"
5. "My last first day photo, and Mom is crying again."
6. "Senior year: make every day count."
7. "Started in a tiny backpack. Ending in a parking spot."
8. "Last first day, best first day."

First day of school captions

First day of school captions for Instagram and Facebook. These short captions for first day of school from parents work for any grade. The sentimental first day of fourth grade caption examples below fit older kids too.

1. "First day, best day."
2. "And just like that, she's in second grade."
3. "Back to school, back to early alarms."
4. "Fourth grade already? Slow down, buddy."
5. "Sentimental mom alert: first day of fourth grade."
6. "New grade, same sweet kid."
7. "Another first day, another reason to be proud."
8. "Proud parent, tired parent, first day parent."
9. "Look who's back in the classroom."
10. "Growing up one first day at a time."
11. "Happy first day of school to my favorite student."
12. "Ready for the year. Not ready for how fast it's going."
13. "Annual first day photo: check."
14. "One more year of growing up."
15. "First day of school post: done. Coffee: next."

First day of school wishes and blessings

First day of school wishes and first day of school blessing quotes for a card, a text or a prayer at the door.

1. "Happy first day of school! Learn a lot and laugh more."
2. "Wishing you a great first day and a better year."
3. "May your day be full of friends and fun."
4. "May God guide your steps and calm your heart today."
5. "Have a happy first day, and remember we love you."
6. "May your teacher be kind and your lunch be tasty."
7. "Blessings on your first day and every day after."
8. "Wishing you courage, kindness and an easy morning."
9. "May you find one new friend before lunch."
10. "Happy first day of school quotes are short. Our love isn't."

Quote of the day for school

Quote of the day for school whiteboards and morning announcements.

1. "Effort counts more than talent."
2. "Read something new today."
3. "Kind words cost nothing."
4. "Ask questions. That's how you learn."
5. "Practice makes progress."
6. "Be someone's sunshine today."
7. "Start strong. Finish stronger."
8. "Learning never stops."

How to use first day quotes

• Write one on a chalkboard sign with the grade and year for the porch photo.
• Tuck a short note in the lunchbox.
• Add a caption with the teacher's name so you remember it later.
• Label the school bag. A custom name embroidered striped tote bag works for library books and spare clothes.

For more school ideas, see our back to school traditions and new school year quotes. At the end of the year, read our proud parents quotes for graduation.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good first day of school quote?

"Be kind, be brave, be you" works for any grade. It is short enough for a sign and a caption.

What do you write on a first day of kindergarten sign?

Write the child's name, "First day of kindergarten" and the year. Add a short line like "Kindergarten, here I come."

What is a good first day of school caption from parents?

"New grade, same sweet kid" and "Growing up one first day at a time" are short captions parents use every year.

What are inspiring quotes for students on the first day?

"Everyone in this room started at zero" is a good pick for a teacher's whiteboard. So is "You belong in this classroom."

What should I say on my child's last first day of school?

Keep it short and proud. "Last first day. First of many lasts" fits a senior year photo.