- School starts Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 and ends Wednesday, May 26, 2027, an early release day.
- Thanksgiving break: Nov. 26 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 Monday, Jan. 4, back Tuesday, Jan. 5.
- Spring break: March 29 to April 2. Students are out Friday, March 26 to Sunday, April 4, back Monday, April 5.
- Two early release days for every school. Details below.
The HCS 2026-27 calendar
This is the district's own calendar, as HCS publishes it. Tap it to open the full-size image.
Add the HCS 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. 19 events.
Download .ics
Holidays and breaks
Only the days with no school. 13 events.
Download .ics
Early release days
Only the half days. 2 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.
HCS vacations and holidays, 2026-27
Every day with no school for students, from the first day to the last: 13 entries and 26 weekdays in all.
| Day off | Dates | Days of the week | School days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Holiday | Sept. 7 | Mon | 1 |
| Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students) Staff day | Oct. 19 | Mon | 1 |
| Teacher workday (Election Day) Staff day | Nov. 3 | Tue | 1 |
| Veterans Day Holiday | Nov. 11 | Wed | 1 |
| Teacher workday Staff day | Nov. 25 | Wed | 1 |
| Thanksgiving break Break | Nov. 26 to 27 | Thu to Fri | 2 |
| Teacher workday Staff day | Dec. 21 | Mon | 1 |
| Winter break Break | Dec. 22 to Jan. 1 | Tue to Fri | 9 |
| Teacher workday Staff day | Jan. 4 | Mon | 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | Jan. 18 | Mon | 1 |
| Teacher workday (Presidents Day) Staff day | Feb. 15 | Mon | 1 |
| Good Friday holiday Holiday | March 26 | Fri | 1 |
| Spring break Break | March 29 to April 2 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
HCS early release days
Two early release days in all.
| Date | Day | What | Dismissal | Who |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 18 | Fri | Half day, last day before winter break | Half day | All schools |
| May 26 | Wed | Half day, last day of school | Half 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. 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-day weekend: Saturday, Oct. 17 to Monday, Oct. 19. Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students). Back Tuesday, Oct. 20.
- 5-day weekend: Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 29. Teacher workday and Thanksgiving break. Back Monday, Nov. 30.
- 17.5 days off in a row: Friday, Dec. 18 at early dismissal to Monday, Jan. 4. Half day, last day before winter break, teacher workday and winter break. 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. Teacher workday (Presidents Day). Back Tuesday, Feb. 16.
- 10 days off in a row: Friday, March 26 to Sunday, April 4. Good Friday holiday and spring break. Back Monday, April 5.
Weeks with fewer than five school days
Ten 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. 19 | 4 | Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students) |
| Nov. 2 | 4 | Teacher workday (Election Day) |
| Nov. 9 | 4 | Veterans Day |
| Nov. 23 | 2 | Teacher workday and Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 21 | 0 | Teacher workday and winter break |
| Dec. 28 | 0 | Winter break |
| Jan. 4 | 4 | Teacher workday |
| Jan. 18 | 4 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Feb. 15 | 4 | Teacher workday (Presidents Day) |
| March 22 | 4 | Good Friday holiday |
| March 29 | 0 | Spring break |
| May 24 | 3 | 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.
- Monday, Oct. 19: Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students)
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: teacher workday (Election Day)
- Wednesday, Nov. 25: teacher workday
- Monday, Dec. 21: teacher workday
- Monday, Jan. 4: teacher workday
- Monday, Feb. 15: teacher workday (Presidents Day)
Makeup days
The calendar names 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: Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 12). Banks, post offices and many offices close; school does not.
- The district calendar prints no testing dates.
- After the last day, the calendar still shows teacher workdays after school ends (May 27), Memorial Day (May 31) and Optional teacher workdays (June 1). Students are already out.
First and last day of school
Aug. 24First day, Monday
May 26Last day, Wednesday
172School days, by our count
26Weekdays off between them
The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. The last day is Wednesday, May 26, 2027, with early dismissal.
Teachers start sooner. Staff days before school run Aug. 10 to 21.
Grading periods
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | Aug. 24 to Oct. 16 | 39 |
| 2nd quarter | Oct. 20 to Dec. 18 | 39 |
| 3rd quarter | Jan. 5 to March 12 | 47 |
| 4th quarter | March 15 to May 26 | 47 |
What the district notes
- This is the traditional calendar, which most Hoke County schools follow. SandHoke Early College High School has its own 2026-27 calendar, linked on the district Calendars page.
- Report cards go home Oct. 22, Jan. 8 and March 18.
- Thanksgiving week starts with a teacher workday on Wednesday, Nov. 25, so students are off Nov. 25-27. Winter break starts with a teacher workday on Monday, Dec. 21, and ends with one on Monday, Jan. 4; students return Tuesday, Jan. 5.
- Other dates: Back to School Bash Aug. 15, middle school open houses Aug. 19, elementary school open houses Aug. 20, and Hoke County High School graduation May 28.
Common questions
When does HCS start in 2026?
The first day of school for Hoke County Schools is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.
When is the last day of school for HCS in 2027?
The last day for students is Wednesday, May 26, 2027. It is an early release day.
When is winter break for HCS?
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 Monday, Jan. 4 and go back Tuesday, Jan. 5.
When is spring break for HCS?
Spring break runs Monday, March 29 to Friday, April 2. Counting weekends and the days next to it, students are out Friday, March 26 to Sunday, April 4 and go back Monday, April 5.
When is Thanksgiving break for HCS?
Thanksgiving break runs Thursday, Nov. 26 to Friday, Nov. 27. Counting weekends and the days next to it, students are out Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 29 and go back Monday, Nov. 30.
Does HCS have early release days in 2026-27?
Yes. Friday, Dec. 18 (half day) and Wednesday, May 26 (half day) are for every school.
How do I put the HCS 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.
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. 24: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, August grid, 24 shaded yellow (key: Grading Period Begins); Important Dates: "August 24 - First Day of School".
- Last day, May 26: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, May grid, 26 shaded red (key: Grading Period Ends) and outlined magenta (key: 1/2 Day for Students); Important Dates: "May 26 - 1/2 Day for Students, Last Day of School".
- Independence Day holiday, July 2: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, July grid, 2 shaded green (key: Holiday, district/schools closed).
- Teacher workdays before school, Aug. 10 to 21: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, August grid, 10 and 11 shaded purple (key: Optional Teacher Workday, no school for students), 12 to 14 and 17 to 21 shaded blue (key: Mandatory Teacher Workday, no school for students).
- Labor Day, Sept. 7: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, September grid, 7 shaded green (key: Holiday, district/schools closed).
- Parent-teacher conference day (no school for students), Oct. 19: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, October grid, 19 shaded blue (key: Mandatory Teacher Workday, no school for students) and outlined cyan (key: Parent Teacher Conference Day); Important Dates: "October 19 - Parent/Teacher Conference Day".
- Teacher workday (Election Day), Nov. 3: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, November grid, 3 shaded blue (key: Mandatory Teacher Workday, no school for students).
- Veterans Day, Nov. 11: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, November grid, 11 shaded green (key: Holiday, district/schools closed).
- Teacher workday, Nov. 25: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, November grid, 25 shaded purple (key: Optional Teacher Workday, no school for students).
- Thanksgiving break, Nov. 26 to 27: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, November grid, 26 and 27 shaded green (key: Holiday, district/schools closed); Important Dates: "November 26-27 - Thanksgiving Break".
- Teacher workday, Dec. 21: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, December grid, 21 shaded purple (key: Optional Teacher Workday, no school for students).
- Winter break, Dec. 22 to Jan. 1: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, December grid, 22, 23 and 28 to 30 shaded orange (key: Annual Leave, district/schools closed), 24, 25 and 31 shaded green (key: Holiday, district/schools closed); January grid, 1 shaded green; Important Dates: "December 22-31 - Christmas Break".
- Teacher workday, Jan. 4: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, January grid, 4 shaded blue (key: Mandatory Teacher Workday, no school for students).
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, January grid, 18 shaded green (key: Holiday, district/schools closed).
- Teacher workday (Presidents Day), Feb. 15: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, February grid, 15 shaded blue (key: Mandatory Teacher Workday, no school for students).
- Good Friday holiday, March 26: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, March grid, 26 shaded green (key: Holiday, district/schools closed).
- Spring break, March 29 to April 2: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, March grid, 29 to 31 and April grid, 1 and 2 shaded orange (key: Annual Leave, district/schools closed); Important Dates: "March 29-April 2 - Spring Break".
- Teacher workdays after school ends, May 27 to 28: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, May grid, 27 and 28 shaded blue (key: Mandatory Teacher Workday, no school for students).
- Memorial Day, May 31: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, May grid, 31 shaded green (key: Holiday, district/schools closed).
- Optional teacher workdays, June 1 to 4: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, June grid, 1 to 4 shaded purple (key: Optional Teacher Workday, no school for students).
- Half day, last day before winter break, Dec. 18: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, December grid, 18 shaded red (key: Grading Period Ends) and outlined magenta (key: 1/2 Day for Students); Important Dates: "December 18 - 1/2 Day for Students".
- Half day, last day of school, May 26: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, May grid, 26 outlined magenta (key: 1/2 Day for Students); Important Dates: "May 26 - 1/2 Day for Students, Last Day of School".
- 1st quarter: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, August grid, 24 yellow (Grading Period Begins); October grid, 16 red (key: Grading Period Ends).
- 2nd quarter: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, October grid, 20 yellow (Grading Period Begins); December grid, 18 red (key: Grading Period Ends).
- 3rd quarter: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, January grid, 5 yellow (Grading Period Begins); March grid, 12 red (key: Grading Period Ends).
- 4th quarter: Hoke County Schools Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (Traditional) (PDF), page 1, March grid, 15 yellow (Grading Period Begins); May grid, 26 red (key: Grading Period Ends).