- School starts Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 and ends Friday, June 11, 2027, an early release day, as planned. It can fall anywhere from Friday, June 11 to Thursday, June 17: MCPS may add makeup days on June 14 to 17 if schools close three or more days for emergencies.
- Thanksgiving break: Nov. 26 to 27. Students are out Thursday, Nov. 26 to Sunday, Nov. 29, back Monday, Nov. 30.
- Winter break: Dec. 24 to Jan. 1. Students are out Thursday, Dec. 24 to Sunday, Jan. 3, back Monday, Jan. 4.
- Spring break: March 26 to April 2. Students are out Friday, March 26 to Sunday, April 4, back Monday, April 5.
- Seven early release days for every school. Details below.
The MCPS 2026-27 calendar
This is the district's own calendar, as MCPS publishes it. Tap it to open the full-size image.
Add the MCPS 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. 35 events.
Download .ics
Holidays and breaks
Only the days with no school. 16 events.
Download .ics
Early release days
Only the half days. 7 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.
MCPS vacations and holidays, 2026-27
Every day with no school for students, from the first day to the last: 16 entries and 28 weekdays in all.
| Day off | Dates | Days of the week | School days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Holiday | Sept. 7 | Mon | 1 |
| No school (non-instructional day) Other | Sept. 21 | Mon | 1 |
| Staff professional development day Staff day | Oct. 16 | Fri | 1 |
| Grading and planning day Staff day | Nov. 2 | Mon | 1 |
| Election Day Holiday | Nov. 3 | Tue | 1 |
| Thanksgiving break Break | Nov. 26 to 27 | Thu to Fri | 2 |
| Winter break Break | Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 | Thu to Fri | 7 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | Jan. 18 | Mon | 1 |
| Grading and planning day Staff day | Jan. 25 | Mon | 1 |
| Presidents' Day Holiday | Feb. 15 | Mon | 1 |
| Staff professional development day Staff day | March 9 | Tue | 1 |
| Spring break Break | March 26 to April 2 | Fri to Fri | 6 |
| Grading and planning day Staff day | April 12 | Mon | 1 |
| No school (non-instructional day) OtherBecomes a school day if schools close three or more days for emergencies (makeup day 1) | April 22 | Thu | 1 |
| No school (non-instructional day) OtherBecomes a school day if schools close three or more days for emergencies (makeup day 2) | May 17 | Mon | 1 |
| Memorial Day Holiday | May 31 | Mon | 1 |
MCPS early release days
Seven early release days in all.
| Date | Day | What | Dismissal | Who |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 18 | Fri | Grading and planning | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Nov. 23 | Mon | Parent-teacher conferences | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Nov. 24 | Tue | Parent-teacher conferences | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Nov. 25 | Wed | Day before Thanksgiving | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Dec. 23 | Wed | Day before winter break | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Feb. 26 | Fri | Grading and planning | Times vary by school | All schools |
| June 11 | Fri | Last day of school | 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.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Sept. 5 to Monday, Sept. 7. Labor Day. Back Tuesday, Sept. 8.
- 3.5-day weekend: Friday, Sept. 18 at early dismissal to Monday, Sept. 21. Grading and planning early release and No school (non-instructional day). Back Tuesday, Sept. 22.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Oct. 18. Staff professional development day. Back Monday, Oct. 19.
- 4-day weekend: Saturday, Oct. 31 to Tuesday, Nov. 3. Grading and planning day and Election Day. Back Wednesday, Nov. 4.
- 2.5-day weekend: Saturday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 22. A regular weekend. Monday, Nov. 23, an early release day.
- 4.5-day weekend: Wednesday, Nov. 25 at early dismissal to Sunday, Nov. 29. Day before Thanksgiving early release and Thanksgiving break. Back Monday, Nov. 30.
- 11.5 days off in a row: Wednesday, Dec. 23 at early dismissal to Sunday, Jan. 3. Day before winter break early release 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.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Jan. 23 to Monday, Jan. 25. Grading and planning day. Back Tuesday, Jan. 26.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Feb. 13 to Monday, Feb. 15. Presidents' Day. Back Tuesday, Feb. 16.
- 2.5-day weekend: Friday, Feb. 26 at early dismissal to Sunday, Feb. 28. Grading and planning early release. Back Monday, March 1.
- 10 days off in a row: Friday, March 26 to Sunday, April 4. Spring break. Back Monday, April 5.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, April 10 to Monday, April 12. Grading and planning day. Back Tuesday, April 13.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, May 15 to Monday, May 17. No school (non-instructional day). Back Tuesday, May 18.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, May 29 to Monday, May 31. Memorial Day. Back Tuesday, June 1.
Two early releases on a Friday or Monday make a 2.5-day weekend.
Weeks with fewer than five school days
Sixteen weeks have fewer than five school days, and two weeks have none at all.
| Week of | School days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 24 | 4 | Before the first day |
| Sept. 7 | 4 | Labor Day |
| Sept. 21 | 4 | No school (non-instructional day) |
| Oct. 12 | 4 | Staff professional development day |
| Nov. 2 | 3 | Grading and planning day and Election Day |
| Nov. 23 | 3 | Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 21 | 3 | Winter break |
| Dec. 28 | 0 | Winter break |
| Jan. 18 | 4 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Jan. 25 | 4 | Grading and planning day |
| Feb. 15 | 4 | Presidents' Day |
| March 8 | 4 | Staff professional development day |
| March 22 | 4 | Spring break |
| March 29 | 0 | Spring break |
| April 12 | 4 | Grading and planning day |
| April 19 | 4 | No school (non-instructional day) |
| May 17 | 4 | No school (non-instructional day) |
| May 31 | 4 | Memorial Day |
Teacher workdays: no school for students
Five of the days off are staff days. Teachers work; students stay home. Plan child care as you would for a holiday.
- Friday, Oct. 16: staff professional development day
- Monday, Nov. 2: Grading and planning day
- Monday, Jan. 25: Grading and planning day
- Tuesday, March 9: staff professional development day
- Monday, April 12: Grading and planning day
Makeup days
Emergency makeup day 1 (if needed), Thursday, April 22 (only if schools close three or more days for emergencies), Emergency makeup day 2 (if needed), Monday, May 17 (only if schools close three or more days for emergencies) and Emergency makeup days 3 to 6, June 14 to 17 (if needed), Monday, June 14 (only if schools close three or more days for emergencies; they extend the school year).
Also worth knowing
- School is open on some federal holidays: Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 12) and Veterans Day (Wednesday, Nov. 11). Banks, post offices and many offices close; school does not.
- The family calendar prints no testing windows.
- Some days off may change: No school (non-instructional day), April 22 (Becomes a school day if schools close three or more days for emergencies (makeup day 1)) and No school (non-instructional day), May 17 (Becomes a school day if schools close three or more days for emergencies (makeup day 2)).
- The last day can move. MCPS may add makeup days on June 14 to 17 if schools close three or more days for emergencies. The planned last day is Friday, June 11; it can fall from Friday, June 11 to Thursday, June 17.
- After the last day, the calendar still shows Grading and planning day (June 14) and Systemwide closure (June 18). Students are already out.
First and last day of school
Aug. 25First day, Tuesday
June 11 to 17Last day, planned June 11
181School days, by our count
28Weekdays off between them
The first day of school is Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. The last day is Friday, June 11, 2027, with early dismissal, as planned. It can fall anywhere from Friday, June 11 to Thursday, June 17: MCPS may add makeup days on June 14 to 17 if schools close three or more days for emergencies.
Teachers start sooner. Staff days before school run Aug. 17 to 21.
Grading periods
MCPS grades in four marking periods. The calendar boxes the last day of each one and prints a table with the late-work deadline and the dates report cards are available in Synergy and distributed (the dates below).
| Period | Dates | School days | Report card |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st marking period | Aug. 25 to Oct. 30 | 46 | Thursday, Nov. 12 |
| 2nd marking period | Nov. 4 to Jan. 22 | 48 | Wednesday, Feb. 3 |
| 3rd marking period | Jan. 26 to April 9 | 46 | Wednesday, April 21 |
| 4th marking period | April 13 to June 11 | 41 | Wednesday, June 23 |
What the district notes
- Monday, Aug. 24 is Student Transition Day: a full day for students entering kindergarten, grade 6 or grade 9, students entering grade 3 at elementary schools that serve only grades 3 to 5, and all students new to MCPS. Everyone else starts Tuesday, Aug. 25.
- Early release times are set by each school's bell schedule, so check your school's dismissal time for these days.
- Several days off line up with religious holidays: March 9 (Eid al-Fitr), April 22 (Passover) and May 17 (Eid al-Adha).
Common questions
When does MCPS start in 2026?
The first day of school for Montgomery County Public Schools is Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.
When is the last day of school for MCPS in 2027?
The last day for students is Friday, June 11, 2027. It is an early release day, as planned. It can fall from Friday, June 11 to Thursday, June 17: MCPS may add makeup days on June 14 to 17 if schools close three or more days for emergencies.
When is winter break for MCPS?
Winter break runs Thursday, Dec. 24 to Friday, Jan. 1. Counting weekends, students are out Thursday, Dec. 24 to Sunday, Jan. 3 and go back Monday, Jan. 4.
When is spring break for MCPS?
Spring break runs Friday, March 26 to Friday, April 2. Counting weekends, students are out Friday, March 26 to Sunday, April 4 and go back Monday, April 5.
When is Thanksgiving break for MCPS?
Thanksgiving break runs Thursday, Nov. 26 to Friday, Nov. 27. Counting weekends, students are out Thursday, Nov. 26 to Sunday, Nov. 29 and go back Monday, Nov. 30.
Does MCPS have early release days in 2026-27?
Yes. Friday, Sept. 18 (times vary by school), Monday, Nov. 23 (times vary by school), Tuesday, Nov. 24 (times vary by school), Wednesday, Nov. 25 (times vary by school), Wednesday, Dec. 23 (times vary by school), Friday, Feb. 26 (times vary by school) and Friday, June 11 (times vary by school) are for every school.
How do I put the MCPS 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 image twice: once whole, cell by cell against its legend, and once on zoomed crops of each month. Then we checked each one against the MCPS Calendar Central page, the MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar list view (PDF) and the MCPS 2026-2027 Comprehensive Calendar (PDF).
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. 25: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, August 2026 grid; note "8/25 - First Day of School for all grades". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "August 25 First day of school for students".
- Last day, June 11: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, June 2027 grid, 11 boxed and split blue and pink; note "6/11 - Last Day of School / Early Release Day / End of 4th Marking Period". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "June 11 Last day of school for students; early release day for students".
- When the last day can move, June 11 to 17: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, Notes box "#3-6 - June 14-17: Days that can be added to extend the school year"; June 2027 grid, 14* to 17*.
- Independence Day, July 3: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, July is not in the grid; the list view is the source for this day. Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "July 3 Independence Day, Schools and offices closed".
- Teacher professional days, Aug. 17 to 21: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, August 2026 grid, 17 to 21 pink (key: No School). Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "August 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 Professional days for teachers".
- Labor Day, Sept. 7: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, September 2026 grid, 7 pink; note "9/7 - Holiday (Labor Day) - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "September 7 Labor Day, Schools and offices closed".
- No school (non-instructional day), Sept. 21: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, September 2026 grid, 21 pink; note "9/21 - Non-instructional Day - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "September 21 Non-Instructional Day, No school for students and teachers".
- Staff professional development day, Oct. 16: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, October 2026 grid, 16 pink; note "10/16 - Non-instructional Day for Professional Development for Staff - No School for Students". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "October 16 Professional Development Day for staff; no school for students".
- Grading and planning day, Nov. 2: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, November 2026 grid, 2 pink; note "11/2 - Non-instructional Day for Grading and Reporting - No School for Students". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "November 2 Grading and Planning for the end of term; no school for students".
- Election Day, Nov. 3: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, November 2026 grid, 3 pink; note "11/3 - Holiday (Election Day) - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "November 3 Election Day, Schools and offices closed".
- Thanksgiving break, Nov. 26 to 27: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, November 2026 grid, 26 and 27 pink; note "11/26-11/27 - Holiday (Thanksgiving) - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "November 26 and 27 Thanksgiving Holiday, Schools and offices closed".
- Winter break, Dec. 24 to Jan. 1: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, December 2026 grid, 24, 25 and 28 to 31 pink; January 2027 grid, 1 pink; note "12/24-1/1/2027 - Winter Break - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "December 24 and 25 Winter Break Holiday"; "December 28 and 29 Non-Instructional Day"; "December 30 and 31 Systemwide Closure"; "January 1 New Year's Day".
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, January 2027 grid, 18 pink; note "1/18 - Holiday (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day)". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "January 18 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday, Schools and offices closed".
- Grading and planning day, Jan. 25: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, January 2027 grid, 25 pink; note "1/25 - Non-instructional Day for Grading and Reporting - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "January 25 Grading and Planning for the end of term; no school for students".
- Presidents' Day, Feb. 15: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, February 2027 grid, 15 pink; note "2/15 - Holiday (Presidents Day) - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "February 15 Presidents' Day Holiday, Schools and offices closed".
- Staff professional development day, March 9: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, March 2027 grid, 9 pink; note "3/9 - Non-instructional Day for Professional Development for Instructional Staff - No School for Students (Eid al-Fitr)". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "March 9 Professional Development Day for staff; no school for students".
- Spring break, March 26 to April 2: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, March 2027 grid, 26 and 29 to 31 pink; April 2027 grid, 1 and 2 pink; notes "3/26-4/2 - Spring Break - No School" and "4/1 - 4/2 - Spring Break - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "March 26 and 29 Spring Break Holiday"; "March 30 and 31 Non-Instructional Day"; "April 1 and 2 Systemwide Closures".
- Grading and planning day, April 12: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, April 2027 grid, 12 pink; note "4/12 - Non-instructional Day for Grading and Reporting - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "April 12 Grading and Planning for the end of term; no school for students".
- No school (non-instructional day), April 22: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, April 2027 grid, 22 pink; note "4/22 - Non-instructional Day (*Designated as the #1 Make-Up Day for inclement weather) - No School for Students and Teachers (Passover)". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "April 22 ** Non-Instructional Day, No school for students and teachers".
- No school (non-instructional day), May 17: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, May 2027 grid, 17* pink; note "5/17 - Non-instructional Day (*Designated as the #2 Make-Up Day) - No School for Students and Teachers (Eid al-Adha)". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "May 17 ** Non-Instructional Day, No school for students and teachers".
- Memorial Day, May 31: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, May 2027 grid, 31 pink; note "5/31 - Holiday (Memorial Day) - No School". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "May 31 Memorial Day Holiday, Schools and offices closed".
- Grading and planning day, June 14: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, June 2027 grid, 14* pink; note "6/14 - Non-instructional Day for Grading and Reporting - No School for Students". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "June 14 ** Grading and Planning for the end of term".
- Systemwide closure, June 18: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, June 2027 grid, 18 pink (key: No School). Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "June 18 Systemwide Closure, Schools and offices closed".
- Grading and planning, Sept. 18: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, September 2026 grid, 18 split blue and pink (key: Early Release); note "9/18 - Early Release Day for Grading and Planning". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "September 18 Early release day for students".
- Parent-teacher conferences, Nov. 23: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, November 2026 grid, 23 split blue and pink; note "11/23-11/24 - Early Release Days (Parent/Teacher Conferences)". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "November 23, 24, and 25 Early release days for students".
- Parent-teacher conferences, Nov. 24: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, November 2026 grid, 24 split blue and pink; note "11/23-11/24 - Early Release Days (Parent/Teacher Conferences)". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "November 23, 24, and 25 Early release days for students".
- Day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, November 2026 grid, 25 split blue and pink; note "11/25 - Early Release Day". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "November 23, 24, and 25 Early release days for students".
- Day before winter break, Dec. 23: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, December 2026 grid, 23 split blue and pink; note "12/23 - Early Release Day". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "December 23 Early release day for students".
- Grading and planning, Feb. 26: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, February 2027 grid, 26 split blue and pink; note "2/26 - Early Release Day for Grading and Planning". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "February 26 Early release day for students".
- Last day of school, June 11: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, June 2027 grid, 11 split blue and pink and boxed; note "6/11 - Last Day of School / Early Release Day / End of 4th Marking Period". Also: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar, List View (PDF 0775.26, 5/26), "June 11 Last day of school for students; early release day for students".
- 1st marking period: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, October 2026 grid, 30 boxed (key: End of Marking Period); note "10/30 - End of 1st Marking Period"; table MP 1: End of Marking Period 10/30/2026, Report Cards Distributed 11/12/2026.
- 2nd marking period: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, January 2027 grid, 22 boxed; note "1/22 - End of 2nd Marking Period"; table MP 2: 1/22/2027, Report Cards Distributed 2/3/2027.
- 3rd marking period: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, April 2027 grid, 9 boxed; note "4/9 - End of 3rd Marking Period"; table MP 3: 4/9/2027, Report Cards Distributed 4/21/2027.
- 4th marking period: MCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar for Families, Month View (PDF), page 1, June 2027 grid, 11 boxed; note "... End of 4th Marking Period"; table MP 4: 6/11/2027, Report Cards Distributed 6/23/2027.