- School starts Monday, Aug. 21, 2028 and ends Friday, June 1, 2029, an early release day.
- Thanksgiving break: Nov. 20 to 24. Students are out Saturday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 26, back Monday, Nov. 27.
- Winter break: Dec. 18 to Jan. 2. Students are out Saturday, Dec. 16 to Tuesday, Jan. 2, back Wednesday, Jan. 3.
- Spring break: March 26 to 30. Students are out Saturday, March 24 to Sunday, April 1, back Monday, April 2.
- One early release day for every school. Details below.
The DPS 2028-29 calendar
This is the district's own calendar, as DPS publishes it. Tap it to open the full-size image.
Add the DPS 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.
Every date
First and last day, every day off, every early release and grading period dates. 20 events.
Download .ics
Holidays and breaks
Only the days with no school. 11 events.
Download .ics
Early release days
Only the half days. 1 event.
Download .ics
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.
DPS vacations and holidays, 2028-29
Every day with no school for students, from the first day to the last: 11 entries and 30 weekdays in all.
| Day off | Dates | Days of the week | School days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Holiday | Sept. 4 | Mon | 1 |
| Conference day (no classes) Other | Oct. 9 | Mon | 1 |
| Vacation day (no classes) Other | Nov. 3 | Fri | 1 |
| Thanksgiving break Break | Nov. 20 to 24 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Winter break Break | Dec. 18 to Jan. 2 | Mon to Tue | 12 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | Jan. 15 | Mon | 1 |
| Presidents Day Holiday | Feb. 19 | Mon | 1 |
| Vacation day (no classes) Other | March 2 | Fri | 1 |
| Spring break Break | March 26 to 30 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Vacation day (no classes) Other | April 30 | Mon | 1 |
| Memorial Day Holiday | May 28 | Mon | 1 |
DPS early release days
One early release day in all.
| Date | Day | What | Dismissal | Who |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1 | Fri | Last day of school | After the first half of the day | All schools |
Calendar notes: what to plan around
Long weekends and breaks
Every stretch of three or more days with no school, counting weekends.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 4. Labor Day. Back Tuesday, Sept. 5.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Oct. 7 to Monday, Oct. 9. Conference day (no classes). Back Tuesday, Oct. 10.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 5. Vacation day (no classes). Back Monday, Nov. 6.
- 9 days off in a row: Saturday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 26. Thanksgiving break. Back Monday, Nov. 27.
- 18 days off in a row: Saturday, Dec. 16 to Tuesday, Jan. 2. Winter break. Back Wednesday, Jan. 3.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Jan. 13 to Monday, Jan. 15. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Back Tuesday, Jan. 16.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Feb. 17 to Monday, Feb. 19. Presidents Day. Back Tuesday, Feb. 20.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, March 2 to Sunday, March 4. Vacation day (no classes). Back Monday, March 5.
- 9 days off in a row: Saturday, March 24 to Sunday, April 1. Spring break. Back Monday, April 2.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, April 28 to Monday, April 30. Vacation day (no classes). Back Tuesday, May 1.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, May 26 to Monday, May 28. Memorial Day. Back Tuesday, May 29.
Weeks with fewer than five school days
Nine weeks have fewer than five school days, and four weeks have none at all.
| Week of | School days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 4 | 4 | Labor Day |
| Oct. 9 | 4 | Conference day (no classes) |
| Oct. 30 | 4 | Vacation day (no classes) |
| Nov. 20 | 0 | Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 18 | 0 | Winter break |
| Dec. 25 | 0 | Winter break |
| Jan. 1 | 3 | Winter break |
| Jan. 15 | 4 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Feb. 19 | 4 | Presidents Day |
| Feb. 26 | 4 | Vacation day (no classes) |
| March 26 | 0 | Spring break |
| April 30 | 4 | Vacation day (no classes) |
| May 28 | 4 | Memorial Day |
Makeup days
The calendar prints no makeup days. If school closes for weather, the district announces how the day is made up.
Also worth knowing
- School is open on a federal holiday: Veterans Day (Friday, Nov. 10). Banks, post offices and many offices close; school does not.
- The calendar prints no testing windows.
- After the last day, the calendar still shows Juneteenth (June 19). Students are already out.
First and last day of school
Aug. 21First day, Monday
June 1Last day, Friday
175School days, by our count
30Weekdays off between them
The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 21, 2028. The last day is Friday, June 1, 2029, with early dismissal.
Grading periods
Semesters
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | Aug. 21 to Dec. 15 | 77 |
| 2nd semester | Jan. 3 to June 1 | 98 |
Trimesters
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| 1st trimester | Aug. 21 to Nov. 10 | 57 |
| 2nd trimester | Nov. 13 to March 9 | 65 |
| 3rd trimester | March 12 to June 1 | 53 |
Quarters
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | Aug. 21 to Oct. 20 | 43 |
| 2nd quarter | Oct. 23 to Dec. 15 | 34 |
| 3rd quarter | Jan. 3 to March 16 | 50 |
| 4th quarter | March 19 to June 1 | 48 |
What the district notes
- The first day for ECE (preschool) students is Tuesday, Aug. 22, a day after kindergarten to grade 12.
- The last day, June 1, is a half day: students attend the first half of the day. That is why the calendar prints 174.5 instructional days.
- Winter break starts a week before Christmas: no classes from Monday, Dec. 18 through Tuesday, Jan. 2. Students return Wednesday, Jan. 3.
- The calendar underlines religious and cultural holidays and observances; school is open on those days. DPS links its full list of holidays and observances from the calendar.
Common questions
When does DPS start in 2028?
The first day of school for Denver Public Schools is Monday, Aug. 21, 2028.
When is the last day of school for DPS in 2029?
The last day for students is Friday, June 1, 2029. It is an early release day.
When is winter break for DPS?
Winter break runs Monday, Dec. 18 to Tuesday, Jan. 2. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, Dec. 16 to Tuesday, Jan. 2 and go back Wednesday, Jan. 3.
When is spring break for DPS?
Spring break runs Monday, March 26 to Friday, March 30. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, March 24 to Sunday, April 1 and go back Monday, April 2.
When is Thanksgiving break for DPS?
Thanksgiving break runs Monday, Nov. 20 to Friday, Nov. 24. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 26 and go back Monday, Nov. 27.
Does DPS have early release days in 2028-29?
Yes. Friday, June 1 (after the first half of the day) is for every school.
How do I put the DPS 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 every holiday, vacation day, the first and last day and the conference day against the DPS Calendars and Publications page, the district's Key 2028-29 Dates sheet and the district's 2028-29 term dates sheet. The other dates rest on the district's calendar alone.
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, Aug. 21: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, August 2028 grid, 21 outlined in green (key: First Day of School (K-12)). Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL K-12: "August 21, 2028".
- Last day, June 1: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, June 2029 grid, 1 outlined in red, lower half orange (key: Last Day of School, First half of day, early release). Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: "First half of day, early release", "June 1, 2029".
- Labor Day, Sept. 4: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, September 2028 grid, 4 in purple (key: Holidays / No Classes); holiday list "Labor Day - Sept. 4". Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, HOLIDAYS/NO CLASSES: "Labor Day September 4, 2028".
- Conference day (no classes), Oct. 9: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, October 2028 grid, 9 in magenta (key: Conference / No Classes). Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, CONFERENCE: "October 9, 2028".
- Vacation day (no classes), Nov. 3: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, November 2028 grid, 3 in orange (key: Vacation or Staff Learning / No Classes). Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, VACATION/NO CLASSES: "November 3, 2028".
- Thanksgiving break, Nov. 20 to 24: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, November 2028 grid, 20 to 22 and 24 in orange (key: Vacation or Staff Learning / No Classes), 23 in purple (key: Holidays / No Classes); holiday list "Thanksgiving Day - Nov. 23". Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, VACATION/NO CLASSES: "November 20, 2028 to November 24, 2028"; HOLIDAYS/NO CLASSES: "Thanksgiving Day November 23, 2028".
- Winter break, Dec. 18 to Jan. 2: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, December 2028 grid, 18 to 22 and 26 to 29 in orange, 25 in purple; January 2029 grid, 1 in purple, 2 in orange; holiday list "New Year's Day - Jan. 1". Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, VACATION/NO CLASSES: "December 18, 2028 to December 29, 2028" and "January 2, 2029"; HOLIDAYS/NO CLASSES: "New Year's Day January 1, 2029".
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 15: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, January 2029 grid, 15 in purple; holiday list "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Jan. 15". Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, HOLIDAYS/NO CLASSES: "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 15, 2029".
- Presidents Day, Feb. 19: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, February 2029 grid, 19 in purple; holiday list "President's Day - Feb. 19". Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, HOLIDAYS/NO CLASSES: "President's Day February 19, 2029".
- Vacation day (no classes), March 2: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, March 2029 grid, 2 in orange (key: Vacation or Staff Learning / No Classes). Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, VACATION/NO CLASSES: "March 2, 2029".
- Spring break, March 26 to 30: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, March 2029 grid, 26 to 29 in orange (key: Vacation or Staff Learning / No Classes), 30 in purple (key: Holidays / No Classes). Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, VACATION/NO CLASSES: "March 26, 2029 to March 30, 2029".
- Vacation day (no classes), April 30: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, April 2029 grid, 30 in orange (key: Vacation or Staff Learning / No Classes). Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, VACATION/NO CLASSES: "April 30, 2029".
- Memorial Day, May 28: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, May 2029 grid, 28 in purple; holiday list "Memorial Day - May 28". Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, HOLIDAYS/NO CLASSES: "Memorial Day May 28, 2029".
- Juneteenth, June 19: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, June 2029 grid, 19 in orange; holiday list "Juneteenth - June 19". Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, HOLIDAYS/NO CLASSES: "Juneteenth June 19, 2029".
- Last day of school, June 1: Denver Public Schools Family and Student School Year Calendar 2028-29 (PDF, FAMILYSTUDENT-DPS-Calendar-2028-29.pdf), page 1, June 2029 grid, 1 outlined in red; key "LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (First half of day, early release)". Also: Key 2028-29 Family and Student School Year Dates (accessible text version, Google Sheet), linked from the Calendars & Publications page, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: "First half of day, early release", "June 1, 2029".
- 1st semester (semesters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), S1 "8/20/2028" to "12/31/2028" (sheet note: term dates run from the Sunday before or to the Saturday after the calendar's dates); Dec. 15 is the last school day before winter break.
- 2nd semester (semesters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), S2 "1/1/2029" to "6/2/2029"; June 1 is the last day of school.
- 1st trimester (trimesters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), T1 "8/20/2028" to "11/11/2028"; Nov. 10 is the last school day in it.
- 2nd trimester (trimesters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), T2 "11/12/2028" to "3/10/2029"; March 9 is the last school day in it.
- 3rd trimester (trimesters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), T3 "3/11/2029" to "6/2/2029".
- 1st quarter (quarters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), Q1 "8/20/2028" to "10/21/2028"; Oct. 20 is the last school day in it.
- 2nd quarter (quarters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), Q2 "10/22/2028" to "12/31/2028".
- 3rd quarter (quarters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), Q3 "1/1/2029" to "3/17/2029"; March 16 is the last school day in it.
- 4th quarter (quarters): 2028-29 District Term Start/End Dates (Google Sheet), linked from the calendar PDF ("The full list of Term Dates are available here"), Q4 "3/18/2029" to "6/2/2029".