- School starts Wednesday, July 28, 2027 and ends Thursday, May 25, 2028, an early release day.
- Thanksgiving break: Nov. 22 to 26. Students are out Saturday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 28, back Monday, Nov. 29.
- Winter break: Dec. 20 to 31. Students are out Saturday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Jan. 3, back Tuesday, Jan. 4.
- Spring break: March 6 to 17. Students are out Saturday, March 4 to Sunday, March 19, back Monday, March 20.
- 40 early release days for every school, plus six for some schools. Details below.
- Every Wednesday, all schools: early release, 2 hours early. 36 Wednesdays from Aug. 4 to May 17. No early release on days with no school.
The MPS 2027-28 calendar
This is the district's own calendar, as MPS publishes it. Tap it to open the full-size image.
Add the MPS 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.
MPS vacations and holidays, 2027-28
Every day with no school for students, from the first day to the last: 11 entries and 37 weekdays in all.
| Day off | Dates | Days of the week | School days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Holiday | Sept. 6 | Mon | 1 |
| Fall break Break | Oct. 4 to 8 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Professional learning day (no school) Staff day | Oct. 11 | Mon | 1 |
| Veterans Day Holiday | Nov. 11 | Thu | 1 |
| Thanksgiving break Break | Nov. 22 to 26 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Winter break Break | Dec. 20 to 31 | Mon to Fri | 10 |
| Professional learning day (no school) Staff day | Jan. 3 | Mon | 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | Jan. 17 | Mon | 1 |
| Presidents Day Holiday | Feb. 21 | Mon | 1 |
| Spring break Break | March 6 to 17 | Mon to Fri | 10 |
| Spring holiday Holiday | April 14 | Fri | 1 |
MPS early release days
46 early release days in all. 40 are for every school. The other six are for some schools only.
Every Wednesday, all schools: early release, 2 hours early. 36 Wednesdays from Aug. 4 to May 17. No early release on days with no school.
All 36 dates
Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18, Aug. 25, Sept. 1, Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 17, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb. 23, March 1, March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10 and May 17.
| Date | Day | What | Dismissal | Who |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 1 | Fri | End of grading period, early release | 2 hours early | All schools (K-12) |
| Oct. 14 | Thu | Elementary parent-teacher conferences, early release | 2 hours early | Elementary schools only |
| Oct. 15 | Fri | Elementary parent-teacher conferences, early release | 2 hours early | Elementary schools only |
| Dec. 16 | Thu | Semester exams, early release | Time not printed | High schools only |
| Dec. 17 | Fri | End of grading period and semester, early release (high school semester exams) | 2 hours early | All schools (K-12) |
| Jan. 6 | Thu | Elementary parent-teacher conferences, early release | 2 hours early | Elementary schools only |
| Jan. 7 | Fri | Elementary parent-teacher conferences, early release | 2 hours early | Elementary schools only |
| March 3 | Fri | End of grading period, early release | 2 hours early | All schools (K-12) |
| May 24 | Wed | Semester exams, early release | Time not printed | High schools only |
| May 25 | Thu | Last day of school and graduation, early release | 2 hours early | All schools (K-12) |
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.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 6. Labor Day. Back Tuesday, Sept. 7.
- 10.5 days off in a row: Friday, Oct. 1 at early dismissal to Monday, Oct. 11. End of grading period, early release, fall break and professional learning day (no school). Back Tuesday, Oct. 12.
- 9 days off in a row: Saturday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 28. Thanksgiving break. Back Monday, Nov. 29.
- 17.5 days off in a row: Friday, Dec. 17 at early dismissal to Monday, Jan. 3. End of grading period and semester, early release (high school semester exams), winter break and professional learning day (no school). Back Tuesday, Jan. 4.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Jan. 15 to Monday, Jan. 17. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Back Tuesday, Jan. 18.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Feb. 19 to Monday, Feb. 21. Presidents Day. Back Tuesday, Feb. 22.
- 16.5 days off in a row: Friday, March 3 at early dismissal to Sunday, March 19. End of grading period, early release and spring break. Back Monday, March 20.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, April 14 to Sunday, April 16. Spring holiday. Back Monday, April 17.
Weeks with fewer than five school days
Nine weeks have fewer than five school days, and six weeks have none at all.
| Week of | School days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| July 26 | 3 | Before the first day |
| Sept. 6 | 4 | Labor Day |
| Oct. 4 | 0 | Fall break |
| Oct. 11 | 4 | Professional learning day (no school) |
| Nov. 8 | 4 | Veterans Day |
| Nov. 22 | 0 | Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 20 | 0 | Winter break |
| Dec. 27 | 0 | Winter break |
| Jan. 3 | 4 | Professional learning day (no school) |
| Jan. 17 | 4 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Feb. 21 | 4 | Presidents Day |
| March 6 | 0 | Spring break |
| March 13 | 0 | Spring break |
| April 10 | 4 | Spring holiday |
| May 22 | 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.
- Monday, Oct. 11: professional learning day (no school)
- Monday, Jan. 3: professional learning day (no school)
Makeup days
The MPS calendar names no makeup days. If school closes for weather, the district announces how the day is made up.
Also worth knowing
- After the last day, the calendar still shows Memorial Day (May 29). Students are already out.
First and last day of school
The first day of school is Wednesday, July 28, 2027. The last day is Thursday, May 25, 2028, with early dismissal.
Grading periods
MPS grades in quarters. The calendar's Quarters table prints 47, 43, 43 and 47 school days; our count of its grid gives 47, 43, 42 and 48 (it prints 20 days for January and 18 for April, where the grid has 19 and 19). Both semesters have 90 days, as its Semesters table says. Each quarter starts on the first school day after the last one ends.
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | July 28 to Oct. 1 | 47 |
| 2nd quarter | Oct. 12 to Dec. 17 | 43 |
| 3rd quarter | Jan. 4 to March 3 | 42 |
| 4th quarter | March 20 to May 25 | 48 |
What the district notes
- During fall break, Nov. 22 to 24 and spring break, schools are closed but some district services stay open. On the other closed days, district offices close too.
- The calendar prints no dismissal time for the high school semester exam early releases on Dec. 16 and May 24. On Dec. 17 and May 25 all schools let out 2 hours early.
- School starts early this year: the first day is Wednesday, July 28, 2027. The last day of school, Thursday, May 25, 2028, is also graduation day.
Common questions
When does MPS start in 2027?
The first day of school for Mesa Public Schools is Wednesday, July 28, 2027.
When is the last day of school for MPS in 2028?
The last day for students is Thursday, May 25, 2028. It is an early release day.
When is winter break for MPS?
Winter break runs Monday, Dec. 20 to Friday, Dec. 31. Counting weekends and the days next to it, students are out Saturday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Jan. 3 and go back Tuesday, Jan. 4.
When is spring break for MPS?
Spring break runs Monday, March 6 to Friday, March 17. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, March 4 to Sunday, March 19 and go back Monday, March 20.
When is Thanksgiving break for MPS?
Thanksgiving break runs Monday, Nov. 22 to Friday, Nov. 26. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 28 and go back Monday, Nov. 29.
Does MPS have early release days in 2027-28?
Yes. Friday, Oct. 1 (2 hours early), Friday, Dec. 17 (2 hours early), Friday, March 3 (2 hours early) and Thursday, May 25 (2 hours early) are for every school. Every Wednesday, all schools: early release, 2 hours early. 36 Wednesdays from Aug. 4 to May 17. No early release on days with no school. Elementary schools only: Thursday, Oct. 14, Friday, Oct. 15, Thursday, Jan. 6 and Friday, Jan. 7 (2 hours early). High schools only: Thursday, Dec. 16 and Wednesday, May 24 (time not printed).
How do I put the MPS 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 our count of every school day against the day counts the district prints. The year total (180) and both semester totals (90 and 90) match. Its quarters table prints January and April differently from its grid; the grading periods note explains.
Every weekday on this page matches its date. If the district changes its calendar, its page is the final word.
Where each date is on the district's calendar
- First day, July 28: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, July 2027 list: "28 First Day of School"; July grid, 28 in green.
- Last day, May 25: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, May 2028 list: "25 Last Day of school/Graduation (Early Release - 2hrs)"; May grid, 25 in green with a red border.
- Labor Day, Sept. 6: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, September 2027 list: "6 Labor Day - Schools & District Offices Closed"; September grid, 6 in red.
- Fall break, Oct. 4 to 8: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, October 2027 list: "4-8 Fall Break"; October grid, 4 to 8 in blue.
- Professional learning day (no school), Oct. 11: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, October 2027 list: "11 Professional Learning Day (No Students)"; October grid, 11 in light yellow.
- Veterans Day, Nov. 11: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, November 2027 list: "11 Veteran's Day - Schools & District Offices Closed"; November grid, 11 in red.
- Thanksgiving break, Nov. 22 to 26: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, November 2027 list: "22, 23, 24 Schools Closed, Limited District Services Available", "25-26 Thanksgiving Break - Schools & District Offices Closed"; November grid, 22 to 24 light yellow, 25 and 26 red.
- Winter break, Dec. 20 to 31: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, December 2027 list: "20-31 Winter Break - Schools & District Offices Closed"; December grid, 20 to 24 and 27 to 31 in blue.
- Professional learning day (no school), Jan. 3: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, January 2028 list: "3 Professional Learning Day (No Students)"; January grid, 3 in light yellow.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 17: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, January 2028 list: "17 MLK/Civil Rights Day - Schools & District Offices Closed"; January grid, 17 in red.
- Presidents Day, Feb. 21: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, February 2028 list: "21 Presidents Day - Schools & District Offices Closed"; February grid, 21 in red.
- Spring break, March 6 to 17: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, March 2028 list: "6-17 Spring Break - Schools Closed, Limited District Services"; March grid, 6 to 10 and 13 to 17 in blue.
- Spring holiday, April 14: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, April 2028 list: "14 Spring Holiday - Schools & District Offices Closed"; April grid, 14 in blue.
- Memorial Day, May 29: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, May 2028 list: "29 Memorial Day - Schools & District Offices Closed"; May grid, 29 in red.
- End of grading period, early release, Oct. 1: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, October 2027 list: "1 End of Grading Period - Early Release (2 hours) K-12"; October grid, 1 in cyan.
- Elementary parent-teacher conferences, early release, Oct. 14: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, October 2027 list: "14-15 Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Release - 2 hrs)"; October grid, 14 in orange.
- Elementary parent-teacher conferences, early release, Oct. 15: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, October 2027 list: "14-15 Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Release - 2 hrs)"; October grid, 15 in orange.
- Semester exams, early release, Dec. 16: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, December 2027 list: "16-17 Semester Exams early release (high school)"; December grid, 16 in red.
- End of grading period and semester, early release (high school semester exams), Dec. 17: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, December 2027 list: "17 End of Grading Period - Early Release (2 hours) All K-12" and "16-17 Semester Exams early release (high school)"; December grid, 17 in cyan with a red border.
- Elementary parent-teacher conferences, early release, Jan. 6: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, January 2028 list: "6-7 Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Release - 2hrs)"; January grid, 6 in orange.
- Elementary parent-teacher conferences, early release, Jan. 7: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, January 2028 list: "6-7 Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Release - 2hrs)"; January grid, 7 in orange.
- End of grading period, early release, March 3: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, March 2028 list: "3 End of Grading Period - Early Release (2 hours) K-12"; March grid, 3 in cyan.
- Semester exams, early release, May 24: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, May 2028 list: "24-25 Semester Exams early release (high school)"; May grid, 24 in red.
- Last day of school and graduation, early release, May 25: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, May 2028 list: "25 Last Day of school/Graduation (Early Release - 2hrs)" and "24-25 Semester Exams early release (high school)"; May grid, 25 in green with a red border.
- Early release Wednesday, every Wednesday: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, monthly lists of "Early Release (2 hours)" dates: Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25; Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Oct. 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17; Dec. 1, 8, 15; Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 1, 22, 29; April 5, 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10, 17; each a Wednesday shaded lavender in the grids.
- 1st quarter: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, Quarters table: "July 3, August 22, September 21, October 1, 1st 47"; October list: "1 End of Grading Period".
- 2nd quarter: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, Quarters table: "October 14, November 16, December 13, 2nd 43"; December list: "17 End of Grading Period - Early Release (2 hours) All K-12".
- 3rd quarter: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, Quarters table: "January 20, February 20, March 3, 3rd 43" (see discrepancies); March list: "3 End of Grading Period".
- 4th quarter: Mesa Public Schools 2027-28 School Calendar (Google Sheet "2027-28 Approved Calendar - All Layers" linked from the Calendars page, saved as PDF), page 1, Quarters table: "Mar 10, Apr 18, May 19, 4th 47" (see discrepancies); May list: "25 Last Day of school".