- School starts Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 for students in kindergarten to grade 12 (Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 for pre-K students) and ends Thursday, June 17, 2027.
- Thanksgiving break: Nov. 25 to 27. Students are out Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 29, back Monday, Nov. 30.
- Winter break: Dec. 22 to Jan. 1. Students are out Saturday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 3, back Monday, Jan. 4.
- Spring break: March 22 to 26. Students are out Saturday, March 20 to Sunday, March 28, back Monday, March 29.
- The DCPS calendar prints no early release or half days for students. Its half-day codes (R/PD, R/W) are half records and half staff days with no school for students.
The DCPS 2026-27 calendar
This is the district's own calendar, as DCPS publishes it. Tap it to open the full-size image.
Add the DCPS calendar to your phone
Pick a file. Each one is an all-day event per day off, and a break is one event across all its days.
Every date
First and last day, every day off and grading period dates. 30 events.
Download .ics
Holidays and breaks
Only the days with no school. 21 events.
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.
DCPS vacations and holidays, 2026-27
Every day with no school for students, from the first day to the last: 20 entries and 34 weekdays in all.
| Day off | Dates | Days of the week | School days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Holiday | Sept. 7 | Mon | 1 |
| Indigenous Peoples' Day Holiday | Oct. 12 | Mon | 1 |
| Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students) Other | Oct. 13 | Tue | 1 |
| Professional development day Staff day | Oct. 30 | Fri | 1 |
| Records and wellness day Staff day | Nov. 2 | Mon | 1 |
| Election Day Holiday | Nov. 3 | Tue | 1 |
| Veterans Day Holiday | Nov. 11 | Wed | 1 |
| Thanksgiving break Break | Nov. 25 to 27 | Wed to Fri | 3 |
| Professional development day Staff day | Dec. 21 | Mon | 1 |
| Winter break Break | Dec. 22 to Jan. 1 | Tue to Fri | 9 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | Jan. 18 | Mon | 1 |
| Records and professional development day Staff day | Jan. 26 | Tue | 1 |
| Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students) Other | Feb. 11 | Thu | 1 |
| Professional development day Staff day | Feb. 12 | Fri | 1 |
| Presidents Day Holiday | Feb. 15 | Mon | 1 |
| Spring break Break | March 22 to 26 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Records and wellness day Staff day | April 9 | Fri | 1 |
| DC Emancipation Day Holiday | April 16 | Fri | 1 |
| Wellness day (no school) Other | May 14 | Fri | 1 |
| Memorial Day Holiday | May 31 | Mon | 1 |
Days off for some schools only
These are school days for everyone else, so they are not in the table or the counts above.
- Monday, Aug. 24 to Wednesday, Aug. 26: Pre-K starts Aug. 27 (no school for pre-K yet), pre-K students only
DCPS early release days
The DCPS calendar prints no early release or half days for students. Its half-day codes (R/PD, R/W) are half records and half staff days with no school for students. Every school day on it is a full day.
Schools can still send their own early dismissal notices, so watch for those.
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. 5 to Monday, Sept. 7. Labor Day. Back Tuesday, Sept. 8.
- 4-day weekend: Saturday, Oct. 10 to Tuesday, Oct. 13. Indigenous Peoples' Day and Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students). Back Wednesday, Oct. 14.
- 5-day weekend: Friday, Oct. 30 to Tuesday, Nov. 3. Professional development day, Records and wellness day and Election Day. Back Wednesday, Nov. 4.
- 5-day weekend: Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 29. Thanksgiving break. Back Monday, Nov. 30.
- 16 days off in a row: Saturday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 3. Professional development day and winter break. Back Monday, Jan. 4.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Jan. 16 to Monday, Jan. 18. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Back Tuesday, Jan. 19.
- 5-day weekend: Thursday, Feb. 11 to Monday, Feb. 15. Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students), professional development day and Presidents Day. Back Tuesday, Feb. 16.
- 9 days off in a row: Saturday, March 20 to Sunday, March 28. Spring break. Back Monday, March 29.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, April 9 to Sunday, April 11. Records and wellness day. Back Monday, April 12.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, April 16 to Sunday, April 18. DC Emancipation Day. Back Monday, April 19.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, May 14 to Sunday, May 16. Wellness day (no school). Back Monday, May 17.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, May 29 to Monday, May 31. Memorial Day. Back Tuesday, June 1.
Weeks with fewer than five school days
Fifteen weeks have fewer than five school days, and three weeks have none at all.
| Week of | School days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 7 | 4 | Labor Day |
| Oct. 12 | 3 | Indigenous Peoples' Day and Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students) |
| Oct. 26 | 4 | Professional development day |
| Nov. 2 | 3 | Records and wellness day and Election Day |
| Nov. 9 | 4 | Veterans Day |
| Nov. 23 | 2 | Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 21 | 0 | Professional development day and winter break |
| Dec. 28 | 0 | Winter break |
| Jan. 18 | 4 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Jan. 25 | 4 | Records and professional development day |
| Feb. 8 | 3 | Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students) and professional development day |
| Feb. 15 | 4 | Presidents Day |
| March 22 | 0 | Spring break |
| April 5 | 4 | Records and wellness day |
| April 12 | 4 | DC Emancipation Day |
| May 10 | 4 | Wellness day (no school) |
| May 31 | 4 | Memorial Day |
| June 14 | 4 | After the last day |
Teacher workdays: no school for students
Six of the days off are staff days. Teachers work; students stay home. Plan child care as you would for a holiday.
- Friday, Oct. 30: professional development day
- Monday, Nov. 2: Records and wellness day
- Monday, Dec. 21: professional development day
- Tuesday, Jan. 26: Records and professional development day
- Friday, Feb. 12: professional development day
- Friday, April 9: Records and wellness day
Makeup days
Planned snow make-up day, Tuesday, June 22 (used only if snow closings must be made up) and Planned snow make-up day, Wednesday, June 23 (used only if snow closings must be made up).
Also worth knowing
- The calendar marks 10 religious and cultural observances on school days. School is open. DCPS asks schools to avoid special events, important meetings and athletic events on full-day observances, and evening events on evening-only observances. Some dates, such as Eid al-Fitr, may shift with lunar sightings. The list is below.
- The DCPS calendar prints no testing dates.
- Days off for some schools only: Monday, Aug. 24 to Wednesday, Aug. 26, pre-K students only. Other schools are open. The list is under Vacations and holidays.
- After the last day, the calendar still shows Juneteenth (observed) (June 18) and Records and professional development day (June 21). Students are already out.
First and last day of school
Aug. 24First day, Monday
June 17Last day, Thursday
180School days, by our count
34Weekdays off between them
The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 for students in kindergarten to grade 12 and Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 for pre-K students. The last day is Thursday, June 17, 2027.
Teachers start sooner. Staff days before school run Aug. 17 to 21.
The district prints 180 instructional days across the quarters. Our count of the calendar matches.
Grading periods
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Aug. 24 to Oct. 29 | 46 |
| Term 2 | Nov. 4 to Jan. 25 | 44 |
| Term 3 | Jan. 27 to April 8 | 44 |
| Term 4 | April 12 to June 17 | 46 |
Religious and cultural observances
The calendar marks these religious and cultural observances. School is open on each. DCPS asks schools to avoid special events, important meetings and athletic events on full-day observances, and evening events on evening-only observances. Some dates, such as Eid al-Fitr, may shift with lunar sightings.
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| Friday, Sept. 11 | Rosh Hashanah begins (evening only) |
| Monday, Sept. 21 | Yom Kippur |
| Monday, Feb. 8 | First day of Ramadan |
| Wednesday, Feb. 10 | Ash Wednesday |
| Tuesday, March 9 | Eid al-Fitr begins (evening only) |
| Wednesday, March 10 | Eid al-Fitr |
| Wednesday, April 21 | Passover (first day) |
| Thursday, April 22 | Passover (second day) |
| Monday, May 17 | Eid al-Adha |
| Tuesday, June 15 | Ashura |
What the district notes
- The calendar counts 180 student days and 193 teacher days.
- Pre-K students start Thursday, Aug. 27, three school days after kindergarten to grade 12.
- Seniors' last day is Friday, June 4, 2027. June 22 and 23, after the last day, are planned snow make-up days.
- DCPS also posts a 32-page flip calendar for 2026-27 in English and Spanish and the same dates as a Google Calendar (the Electronic Calendar).
Common questions
When does DCPS start in 2026?
The first day of school for District of Columbia Public Schools is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 for students in kindergarten to grade 12, and Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 for pre-K students.
When is the last day of school for DCPS in 2027?
The last day for students is Thursday, June 17, 2027.
When is winter break for DCPS?
Winter break runs Tuesday, Dec. 22 to Friday, Jan. 1. Counting weekends and the days next to it, students are out Saturday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 3 and go back Monday, Jan. 4.
When is spring break for DCPS?
Spring break runs Monday, March 22 to Friday, March 26. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, March 20 to Sunday, March 28 and go back Monday, March 29.
When is Thanksgiving break for DCPS?
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 DCPS have early release days in 2026-27?
The DCPS calendar prints no early release or half days for students. Its half-day codes (R/PD, R/W) are half records and half staff days with no school for students. Every school day on it is a full day.
How do I put the DCPS 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 DCPS School Year 2026-2027 Calendar page, the DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar and the Spanish edition of the calendar.
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. 24: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, August 2026 row, 24 marked F (First Day of School); 27 marked F-ECE (First Day of School for Pre-K Students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "First Day of School for K-12 Students" Aug. 24; "First Day of School for Pre-K Students" Aug. 27.
- Last day, June 17: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, June row, 17 marked L/ET (Last Day for Students / End of Term); cumulative student days 180. Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Last Day of School" June 17.
- Staff preservice week, Aug. 17 to 21: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, August 2026 row, 17 to 21 marked PD (PD for Staff / No School for Students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Preservice Week Begins" Aug. 17.
- Pre-K starts Aug. 27 (no school for pre-K yet), Aug. 24 to 26: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, August 2026 row, 24 marked F (First Day of School) and 27 marked F-ECE (First Day of School for Pre-K Students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "First Day of School for Pre-K Students" Aug. 27.
- Labor Day, Sept. 7: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, September row, 7 marked HOL (Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Labor Day: DCPS Closed".
- Indigenous Peoples' Day, Oct. 12: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, October row, 12 marked HOL (Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Indigenous Peoples' Day: DCPS Closed".
- Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students), Oct. 13: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, October row, 13 marked PTC (Parent Teacher Conference Day - No school for students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Parent-Teacher Conference Day: No school for students" Oct. 13.
- Professional development day, Oct. 30: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, October row, 30 marked PD (PD for Staff / No School for Students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Professional Development Day for Staff: No school for students" Oct. 30.
- Records and wellness day, Nov. 2: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, November row, 2 marked R/W (Half-Day Records & Half-Day Wellness / No School for Students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Records/Wellness Day: No school for students" Nov. 2.
- Election Day, Nov. 3: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, November row, 3 marked *** (No School for Students or Teachers). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Election Day: No school for students and teachers" Nov. 3.
- Veterans Day, Nov. 11: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, November row, 11 marked HOL (Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Veterans Day: DCPS Closed".
- Thanksgiving break, Nov. 25 to 27: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, November row, 25 and 27 marked *** (No School for Students or Teachers), 26 marked HOL. Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Thanksgiving Break: No school for students and teachers" Nov. 25 to 27; "Thanksgiving: DCPS Closed" Nov. 26.
- Professional development day, Dec. 21: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, December row, 21 marked PD (PD for Staff / No School for Students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Professional Development Day for Staff: No school for students" Dec. 21.
- Winter break, Dec. 22 to Jan. 1: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, December row, 22 to 24 and 28 to 31 marked ***, 25 marked HOL; January 2027 row, 1 marked HOL. Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Winter Break: No school for students and teachers" Dec. 22 to 31; "Christmas: DCPS Closed"; "New Year's Day: DCPS Closed" Jan. 1.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, January row, 18 marked HOL (Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: DCPS Closed".
- Records and professional development day, Jan. 26: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, January row, 26 marked R/PD (Half-Day Records & Half-Day PD / No School for Students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "PD/Records Day for Staff: No school for students" Jan. 26.
- Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students), Feb. 11: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, February row, 11 marked PTC. Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Parent-Teacher Conference Day: No school for students" Feb. 11.
- Professional development day, Feb. 12: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, February row, 12 marked PD (PD for Staff / No School for Students). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Professional Development Day for Staff: No school for students" Feb. 12.
- Presidents Day, Feb. 15: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, February row, 15 marked HOL (Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Presidents Day: DCPS Closed".
- Spring break, March 22 to 26: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, March row, 22 to 26 marked *** (No School for Students or Teachers). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Spring Break: No school for students and teachers" March 22 to 26.
- Records and wellness day, April 9: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, April row, 9 marked R/W. Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Records/Wellness Day: No school for students" April 9.
- DC Emancipation Day, April 16: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, April row, 16 marked HOL (Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "DC Emancipation Day: DCPS Closed".
- Wellness day (no school), May 14: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, May row, 14 marked ***(W) (Wellness Day /No School for Students or Teachers). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Wellness Day: No school for students and teachers" May 14.
- Memorial Day, May 31: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, May row, 31 marked HOL (Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff). Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Memorial Day: DCPS Closed".
- Juneteenth (observed), June 18: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, June row, 18 marked HOL (Holiday for Students, Teachers, and Staff), after the last day. Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "Juneteenth (Observed): DCPS Closed" June 18.
- Records and professional development day, June 21: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, June row, 21 marked R/PD, after the last day. Also: DCPS 2026-2027 Electronic Calendar (Google Calendar feed linked from the DCPS Calendars page), "PD/Records Day for Staff" June 21.
- Term 1: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, October row, 29 marked ET (End of Term); Term table "1 46".
- Term 2: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, January row, 25 marked ET; Term table "2 44".
- Term 3: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, April row, 8 marked ET; Term table "3 44".
- Term 4: DCPS School Year 2026-27 Calendar, English (PDF, file dated 06/11/26), page 1, June row, 17 marked L/ET (Last Day for Students / End of Term); Term table "4 46".