- School starts Monday, Aug. 10, 2026 and ends Thursday, May 27, 2027, an early release day.
- Thanksgiving break: Nov. 25 to 27. Students are out Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 29, back Monday, Nov. 30.
- Winter break: Dec. 21 to Jan. 1. Students are out Saturday, Dec. 19 to Monday, Jan. 4, back Tuesday, Jan. 5.
- Spring break: March 15 to 19. Students are out Saturday, March 13 to Sunday, March 21, back Monday, March 22.
- 40 early release days for every school. Details below.
- Every Wednesday, all schools: early release, times vary by school. 31 Wednesdays from Aug. 12 to May 19; not on Oct. 7 (fall conference early release, listed below), Dec. 16 (not marked as early release), March 10 (spring conference early release, listed below), April 14 (not marked as early release) and May 26 (not marked as early release). No early release on days with no school.
The GESD 2026-27 calendar
This is the district's own calendar, as GESD publishes it. Tap it to open the full-size image.
Add the GESD calendar to your phone
Pick a file. Each one is an all-day event per day off or half day, and a break is one event across all its days.
On an iPhone
Tap a file above, then tap Add All. The dates go into the calendar you choose.
In Google Calendar
On a computer, open Google Calendar, then Settings, then Import & export. Choose the file and the calendar to add it to. The dates show up on your Android phone too.
In Outlook
Open the downloaded file, or in Outlook on the web go to Add calendar, then Upload from file.
These files are a copy of the calendar today. If the district changes a date, download the file again.
GESD vacations and holidays, 2026-27
Every day with no school for students, from the first day to the last: 10 entries and 29 weekdays in all.
| Day off | Dates | Days of the week | School days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional growth day Staff day | Sept. 4 | Fri | 1 |
| Labor Day Holiday | Sept. 7 | Mon | 1 |
| Fall break Break | Oct. 12 to 16 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Veterans Day Holiday | Nov. 11 | Wed | 1 |
| Thanksgiving break Break | Nov. 25 to 27 | Wed to Fri | 3 |
| Winter break Break | Dec. 21 to Jan. 1 | Mon to Fri | 10 |
| Professional growth day Staff day | Jan. 4 | Mon | 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | Jan. 18 | Mon | 1 |
| Presidents' Day Holiday | Feb. 15 | Mon | 1 |
| Spring break Break | March 15 to 19 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
GESD early release days
40 early release days in all.
Every Wednesday, all schools: early release, times vary by school. 31 Wednesdays from Aug. 12 to May 19; not on Oct. 7 (fall conference early release, listed below), Dec. 16 (not marked as early release), March 10 (spring conference early release, listed below), April 14 (not marked as early release) and May 26 (not marked as early release). No early release on days with no school.
All 31 dates
Aug. 12, Aug. 19, Aug. 26, Sept. 2, Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 9, Jan. 6, Jan. 13, Jan. 20, Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3, March 24, March 31, April 7, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12 and May 19.
| Date | Day | What | Dismissal | Who |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 7 | Wed | Fall parent-teacher conferences, early release | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Oct. 8 | Thu | Fall parent-teacher conferences, early release | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Oct. 9 | Fri | Fall parent-teacher conferences, early release | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Dec. 18 | Fri | Early release before winter break | Times vary by school | All schools |
| March 10 | Wed | Spring parent-teacher conferences, early release | Times vary by school | All schools |
| March 11 | Thu | Spring parent-teacher conferences, early release | Times vary by school | All schools |
| March 12 | Fri | Spring parent-teacher conferences, early release | Times vary by school | All schools |
| April 16 | Fri | Testing break, early release | Times vary by school | All schools |
| May 27 | Thu | Last day of school, early release | Times vary by school | All schools |
Where the time varies by school, your school sends its own dismissal time.
Calendar notes: what to plan around
Long weekends and breaks
Every stretch of three or more days with no school, counting weekends. A half day next to a weekend adds half a day.
- 4-day weekend: Friday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 7. Professional growth day and Labor Day. Back Tuesday, Sept. 8.
- 9.5 days off in a row: Friday, Oct. 9 at early dismissal to Sunday, Oct. 18. Fall parent-teacher conferences, early release and fall break. Back Monday, Oct. 19.
- 5-day weekend: Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 29. Thanksgiving break. Back Monday, Nov. 30.
- 17.5 days off in a row: Friday, Dec. 18 at early dismissal to Monday, Jan. 4. Early release before winter break, winter break and professional growth day. Back Tuesday, Jan. 5.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Jan. 16 to Monday, Jan. 18. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Back Tuesday, Jan. 19.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Feb. 13 to Monday, Feb. 15. Presidents' Day. Back Tuesday, Feb. 16.
- 9.5 days off in a row: Friday, March 12 at early dismissal to Sunday, March 21. Spring parent-teacher conferences, early release and spring break. Back Monday, March 22.
- 2.5-day weekend: Friday, April 16 at early dismissal to Sunday, April 18. Testing break, early release. Back Monday, April 19.
One early release on a Friday or Monday makes a 2.5-day weekend.
Weeks with fewer than five school days
Eight weeks have fewer than five school days, and four weeks have none at all.
| Week of | School days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 31 | 4 | Professional growth day |
| Sept. 7 | 4 | Labor Day |
| Oct. 12 | 0 | Fall break |
| Nov. 9 | 4 | Veterans Day |
| Nov. 23 | 2 | Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 21 | 0 | Winter break |
| Dec. 28 | 0 | Winter break |
| Jan. 4 | 4 | Professional growth day |
| Jan. 18 | 4 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Feb. 15 | 4 | Presidents' Day |
| March 15 | 0 | Spring break |
| May 24 | 4 | After the last day |
Teacher workdays: no school for students
Two of the days off are staff days. Teachers work; students stay home. Plan child care as you would for a holiday.
- Friday, Sept. 4: professional growth day
- Monday, Jan. 4: professional growth day
Makeup days
The calendar lists no makeup days. If school closes for weather, the district announces how the day is made up.
Also worth knowing
- The calendar marks a testing break with early release but prints no testing dates.
- After the last day, the calendar still shows Teachers' last day (May 28) and Memorial Day (May 31). Students are already out.
First and last day of school
The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. The last day is Thursday, May 27, 2027, with early dismissal.
Teachers start sooner. Staff days before school run Aug. 3 to 7.
The district prints 180 instructional days across the quarters. Our count of the calendar matches.
Grading periods
GESD grades in quarters. The calendar prints each quarter's dates and instructional days, 180 in all.
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | Aug. 10 to Oct. 9 | 43 |
| 2nd quarter | Oct. 19 to Dec. 18 | 41 |
| 3rd quarter | Jan. 5 to March 12 | 47 |
| 4th quarter | March 22 to May 27 | 49 |
What the district notes
- Most Wednesdays are early release days. The calendar marks them in gray but prints no dismissal time; your school sends its own.
- Meet the Teacher Night is Thursday, Aug. 6, before the first day of school.
Common questions
When does GESD start in 2026?
The first day of school for Glendale Elementary School District is Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.
When is the last day of school for GESD in 2027?
The last day for students is Thursday, May 27, 2027. It is an early release day.
When is winter break for GESD?
Winter break runs Monday, Dec. 21 to Friday, Jan. 1. Counting weekends and the days next to it, students are out Saturday, Dec. 19 to Monday, Jan. 4 and go back Tuesday, Jan. 5.
When is spring break for GESD?
Spring break runs Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, March 13 to Sunday, March 21 and go back Monday, March 22.
When is Thanksgiving break for GESD?
Thanksgiving break runs Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Friday, Nov. 27. Counting weekends, students are out Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 29 and go back Monday, Nov. 30.
Does GESD have early release days in 2026-27?
Yes. Wednesday, Oct. 7 (times vary by school), Thursday, Oct. 8 (times vary by school), Friday, Oct. 9 (times vary by school), Friday, Dec. 18 (times vary by school), Wednesday, March 10 (times vary by school), Thursday, March 11 (times vary by school), Friday, March 12 (times vary by school), Friday, April 16 (times vary by school) and Thursday, May 27 (times vary by school) are for every school. Every Wednesday, all schools: early release, times vary by school. 31 Wednesdays from Aug. 12 to May 19; not on Oct. 7 (fall conference early release, listed below), Dec. 16 (not marked as early release), March 10 (spring conference early release, listed below), April 14 (not marked as early release) and May 26 (not marked as early release). No early release on days with no school.
How do I put the GESD calendar on my phone?
Download one of the .ics files on this page. On an iPhone, open it and tap Add All. On Android or a computer, import it into Google Calendar or Outlook.
How we checked these dates
We read every date off the district's own calendar twice: once from the PDF's text and once from the image, cell by cell against its legend. Then we checked each one against the Spanish edition of the calendar and the GESD School Year Calendars page.
Every weekday on this page matches its date. The district's printed day counts match our own count of its calendar. If the district changes its calendar, its page is the final word.
Where each date is on the district's calendar
- First day, Aug. 10: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, August 2026 grid, 10 green (key: First Day of School); list "First Day of School".
- Last day, May 27: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, May 2027 grid, 27 half red, half gray (keys: Last Day of School, Early Release Day); list "Last Day of School/Early Release".
- Independence Day (observed), July 3: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, July 2026 grid, 3 blue (key: Holiday/Breaks - No School); list "July 3: Independence Day (observed)".
- Staff preparation days, Aug. 3 to 7: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, August 2026 grid, 3 to 7 purple (key: Staff Preparation Days); list "Aug. 3-7: Staff Preparation Days".
- Professional growth day, Sept. 4: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, September 2026 grid, 4 yellow (key: Professional Growth Day - No School for Students); list "Sept. 4: Professional Growth Day - No School for Students".
- Labor Day, Sept. 7: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, September 2026 grid, 7 blue; list "Sept. 7: Labor Day".
- Fall break, Oct. 12 to 16: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, October 2026 grid, 12 to 16 blue; list "Oct. 12-16: Fall Break".
- Veterans Day, Nov. 11: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, November 2026 grid, 11 blue; list "Nov. 11: Veterans Day".
- Thanksgiving break, Nov. 25 to 27: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, November 2026 grid, 25 to 27 blue; list "Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving Break".
- Winter break, Dec. 21 to Jan. 1: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, December 2026 grid, 21 to 25 and 28 to 31 blue; January 2027 grid, 1 blue; list "Dec. 21-Jan. 1: Winter Break".
- Professional growth day, Jan. 4: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, January 2027 grid, 4 yellow; list "Jan. 4: Professional Growth Day", "Jan. 5: Students Return to School".
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, January 2027 grid, 18 blue; list "Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day".
- Presidents' Day, Feb. 15: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, February 2027 grid, 15 blue; list "February 15: Presidents' Day/Holiday".
- Spring break, March 15 to 19: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, March 2027 grid, 15 to 19 blue; list "March 15-19: Spring Break".
- Teachers' last day, May 28: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, May 2027 grid, 28 purple; list "May 28: Teacher's Last Day".
- Memorial Day, May 31: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, May 2027 grid, 31 blue; list "May 31: Memorial Day".
- Fall parent-teacher conferences, early release, Oct. 7: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, October 2026 grid, 7 gray in a box (keys: Early Release Day, Parent Teacher Conferences); list "Oct. 7-9: Parent/Teacher Conferences + Early Release Days".
- Fall parent-teacher conferences, early release, Oct. 8: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, October 2026 grid, 8 gray in a box (keys: Early Release Day, Parent Teacher Conferences); list "Oct. 7-9: Parent/Teacher Conferences + Early Release Days".
- Fall parent-teacher conferences, early release, Oct. 9: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, October 2026 grid, 9 gray in a box (keys: Early Release Day, Parent Teacher Conferences); list "Oct. 7-9: Parent/Teacher Conferences + Early Release Days".
- Early release before winter break, Dec. 18: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, December 2026 grid, 18 gray (key: Early Release Day); list "Dec. 18: Early Release".
- Spring parent-teacher conferences, early release, March 10: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, March 2027 grid, 10 gray in a box (keys: Early Release Day, Parent Teacher Conferences); list "March 10-12: Parent/Teacher Conferences + Early Release Days".
- Spring parent-teacher conferences, early release, March 11: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, March 2027 grid, 11 gray in a box (keys: Early Release Day, Parent Teacher Conferences); list "March 10-12: Parent/Teacher Conferences + Early Release Days".
- Spring parent-teacher conferences, early release, March 12: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, March 2027 grid, 12 gray in a box (keys: Early Release Day, Parent Teacher Conferences); list "March 10-12: Parent/Teacher Conferences + Early Release Days".
- Testing break, early release, April 16: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, April 2027 grid, 16 gray (key: Early Release Day); list "April 16: Testing Break/Early Release".
- Last day of school, early release, May 27: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, May 2027 grid, 27 gray (key: Early Release Day); list "May 27: Last Day of School/Early Release".
- Wednesday early release, every Wednesday: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, Every Wednesday from 08-12 to 05-26 that is a school day is shaded gray (key: Early Release Day), except the dates listed.
- No wednesday early release, Oct. 7: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, October 2026 grid, 7 gray in a conference box.
- No wednesday early release, Dec. 16: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, December 2026 grid, 16 not shaded gray.
- No wednesday early release, March 10: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, March 2027 grid, 10 gray in a conference box.
- No wednesday early release, April 14: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, April 2027 grid, 14 not shaded gray.
- No wednesday early release, May 26: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, May 2027 grid, 26 not shaded gray.
- 1st quarter: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, Instructional Grading Periods "Quarter 1: Aug. 10 - Oct. 9"; Instructional Days "Quarter 1: 43 days".
- 2nd quarter: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, Instructional Grading Periods "Quarter 2: Oct. 19 - Dec. 18"; Instructional Days "Quarter 2: 41 days".
- 3rd quarter: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, Instructional Grading Periods "Quarter 3: Jan. 5 - March 12"; Instructional Days "Quarter 3: 47 days".
- 4th quarter: Glendale Elementary School District 2026-2027 School Year At-a-Glance (PDF, adopted by the GESD Governing Board on September 26, 2024), page 1, Instructional Grading Periods "Quarter 4: March 22 - May 27"; Instructional Days "Quarter 4: 49 days".