Free First Day of School Signs for Preschool Through College

A first day photo can become a keepsake without turning a busy morning into a production. These free printable signs cover 17 school stages, from preschool through college, and come in two designs. Choose a style, print the pages you need, and use the signs to mark the start of a new year of learning.

The signs are undated, so there’s no year to update before you use them again. One set can serve multiple children and school years. That makes the printables a practical choice for families who want a familiar photo tradition without preparing a new sign each time.

Choose a grade and design

Each PDF set contains the same 17 signs:

• Preschool
• Pre-K
• Kindergarten
• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• 5th Grade
• 6th Grade
• 7th Grade
• 8th Grade
• 9th Grade
• 10th Grade
• 11th Grade
• 12th Grade
• High School
• College

There are two looks to pick from: a colorful design on a white background and a chalkboard design with white lettering. Both include every grade, so the choice comes down to which style you’d prefer in your photos. Since the files are non-editable PDFs, the signs are ready to print as provided.

Undated signs also make it easy to keep a consistent look from one school year to the next. If you photograph children in the same place each year, the grade labels can help show how they’ve grown and changed. You can print a different page for each child while keeping the design consistent across the family.

Print only the pages you need

Both styles are available as PDF downloads for home printing. You don’t need to print the entire set: select the pages for the grades you want. That’s useful if you’re preparing for one child, several children, or a classroom group.

Regular paper is suitable if you plan to place the sign in a frame. For a child who’ll hold the sign directly, cardstock provides a sturdier option. Think about how the sign will be used before printing, and choose the paper that fits the photo setup you have in mind.

Keep the photo setup simple

A child holding a grade sign on the front porch is one easy option. The same spot can work each year, giving you a familiar backdrop as the children move through school. If you have more than one child, take an individual photo with each child’s sign, then gather everyone for a group picture.

There’s no need to build an elaborate scene for the sign to be useful. The grade label gives the photo a clear marker for that school year, while the setting can stay as simple as a porch, doorway, or another convenient place at home. Choosing the photo spot and printing the right pages ahead of time can also make the morning routine easier.

Homeschool families can use the signs, too. Choose the date that marks the beginning of your learning year, then print the grade or stage that fits. Teachers can print a grade sign once and use it as a classroom photo prop for each child’s first day picture.

Download a printable set

Each download includes all 17 signs. Save the PDF somewhere easy to find, and you can return to it when another school year begins.

Colorful First Day of School Signs

Download the colorful first day of school signs as a PDF.

Chalkboard First Day of School Signs

Download the chalkboard first day of school signs as a PDF.

For another photo at the other end of the school year, there are free last day of school printable signs in matching colorful and chalkboard styles. More activities and ideas are available in the free printables collection.

A little preparation can make this tradition easier to repeat: save the file, choose the grade page, and have the sign ready when the first day arrives.