- School starts Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 and ends Friday, May 28, 2027, an early release day, as planned. It can fall anywhere from Friday, May 28 to Thursday, June 3: May 28, or as late as June 3 if the district needs the June 1-3 make-up days.
- Thanksgiving break: Nov. 23 to 27. Students are out Saturday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 29, back Monday, Nov. 30.
- Winter break: Dec. 21 to Jan. 1. Students are out Saturday, Dec. 19 to Monday, Jan. 4, back Tuesday, Jan. 5.
- Spring break (Easter): March 26 to April 2. Students are out Friday, March 26 to Sunday, April 4, back Monday, April 5.
- Four early release days for every school. Details below.
The WCS 2026-27 calendar
This is the district's own calendar, as WCS publishes it. Tap it to open the full-size image.
Add the WCS 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. 30 events.
Download .ics
Holidays and breaks
Only the days with no school. 16 events.
Download .ics
Early release days
Only the half days. 4 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.
WCS vacations and holidays, 2026-27
Every day with no school for students, from the first day to the last: 16 entries and 36 weekdays in all.
| Day off | Dates | Days of the week | School days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Holiday | Sept. 7 | Mon | 1 |
| Teacher workday Staff day | Sept. 25 | Fri | 1 |
| Teacher workdays Staff day | Oct. 22 to 23 | Thu to Fri | 2 |
| Teacher workday (Election Day) Staff day | Nov. 3 | Tue | 1 |
| Veterans Day Holiday | Nov. 11 | Wed | 1 |
| Thanksgiving break Break | Nov. 23 to 27 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Winter break Break | Dec. 21 to Jan. 1 | Mon to Fri | 10 |
| Teacher workday Staff day | Jan. 4 | Mon | 1 |
| Teacher workday Staff day | Jan. 15 | Fri | 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | Jan. 18 | Mon | 1 |
| Teacher workday (first make-up day) Staff dayMay become a school day if the district needs to make up a missed day. | Feb. 12 | Fri | 1 |
| Teacher workday (Presidents Day) Staff day | Feb. 15 | Mon | 1 |
| Teacher workdays (make-up days) Staff dayMay become a school day if the district needs to make up a missed day. | March 18 to 19 | Thu to Fri | 2 |
| Spring break (Easter) Break | March 26 to April 2 | Fri to Fri | 6 |
| Teacher workday Staff day | April 23 | Fri | 1 |
| Teacher workday (make-up day) Staff dayMay become a school day if the district needs to make up a missed day. | May 7 | Fri | 1 |
WCS early release days
Four early release days in all.
| Date | Day | What | Dismissal | Who |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 21 | Wed | Early dismissal, end of 1st quarter | Times vary by school | All schools |
| Dec. 18 | Fri | Early dismissal before winter break | Times vary by school | All schools |
| April 22 | Thu | Early dismissal | Times vary by school | All schools |
| May 28 | Fri | Last day of school, early dismissal | 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-day weekend: Friday, Sept. 25 to Sunday, Sept. 27. Teacher workday. Back Monday, Sept. 28.
- 4.5-day weekend: Wednesday, Oct. 21 at early dismissal to Sunday, Oct. 25. Early dismissal, end of 1st quarter and teacher workdays. Back Monday, Oct. 26.
- 9 days off in a row: Saturday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 29. Thanksgiving break. Back Monday, Nov. 30.
- 17.5 days off in a row: Friday, Dec. 18 at early dismissal to Monday, Jan. 4. Early dismissal before winter break, winter break and teacher workday. Back Tuesday, Jan. 5.
- 4-day weekend: Friday, Jan. 15 to Monday, Jan. 18. Teacher workday and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Back Tuesday, Jan. 19.
- 4-day weekend: Friday, Feb. 12 to Monday, Feb. 15. Teacher workday (first make-up day) and teacher workday (Presidents Day). Back Tuesday, Feb. 16.
- 4-day weekend: Thursday, March 18 to Sunday, March 21. Teacher workdays (make-up days). Back Monday, March 22.
- 10 days off in a row: Friday, March 26 to Sunday, April 4. Spring break (Easter). Back Monday, April 5.
- 3.5-day weekend: Thursday, April 22 at early dismissal to Sunday, April 25. Early dismissal and teacher workday. Back Monday, April 26.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, May 7 to Sunday, May 9. Teacher workday (make-up day). Back Monday, May 10.
Weeks with fewer than five school days
Fourteen weeks have fewer than five school days, and four weeks have none at all.
| Week of | School days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 7 | 4 | Labor Day |
| Sept. 21 | 4 | Teacher workday |
| Oct. 19 | 3 | Teacher workdays |
| Nov. 2 | 4 | Teacher workday (Election Day) |
| Nov. 9 | 4 | Veterans Day |
| Nov. 23 | 0 | Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 21 | 0 | Winter break |
| Dec. 28 | 0 | Winter break |
| Jan. 4 | 4 | Teacher workday |
| Jan. 11 | 4 | Teacher workday |
| Jan. 18 | 4 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Feb. 8 | 4 | Teacher workday (first make-up day) |
| Feb. 15 | 4 | Teacher workday (Presidents Day) |
| March 15 | 3 | Teacher workdays (make-up days) |
| March 22 | 4 | Spring break (Easter) |
| March 29 | 0 | Spring break (Easter) |
| April 19 | 4 | Teacher workday |
| May 3 | 4 | Teacher workday (make-up day) |
Teacher workdays: no school for students
Ten of the days off are staff days. Teachers work; students stay home. Plan child care as you would for a holiday.
- Friday, Sept. 25: teacher workday
- Thursday, Oct. 22 to Friday, Oct. 23: teacher workdays
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: teacher workday (Election Day)
- Monday, Jan. 4: teacher workday
- Friday, Jan. 15: teacher workday
- Friday, Feb. 12: teacher workday (first make-up day)
- Monday, Feb. 15: teacher workday (Presidents Day)
- Thursday, March 18 to Friday, March 19: teacher workdays (make-up days)
- Friday, April 23: teacher workday
- Friday, May 7: teacher workday (make-up day)
Makeup days
Make-up day 1, Friday, Feb. 12 (only if the district needs it), Make-up day 2, Thursday, March 18 (only if the district needs it), Make-up day 3, Friday, March 19 (only if the district needs it), Make-up day 4, Friday, May 7 (only if the district needs it), Make-up day 5, Tuesday, June 1 (only if the district needs it; the last day then moves into June), Make-up day 6, Wednesday, June 2 (only if the district needs it; the last day then moves into June) and Make-up day 7, Thursday, June 3 (only if the district needs it; the last day then moves into June).
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 academic calendar lists no conference days. Schools set their own.
- The academic calendar lists no testing dates.
- Some days off may change: teacher workday (first make-up day), Feb. 12 (May become a school day if the district needs to make up a missed day), teacher workdays (make-up days), March 18 to 19 (May become a school day if the district needs to make up a missed day) and teacher workday (make-up day), May 7 (May become a school day if the district needs to make up a missed day).
- The last day can move. May 28, or as late as June 3 if the district needs the June 1-3 make-up days. The planned last day is Friday, May 28; it can fall from Friday, May 28 to Thursday, June 3.
- After the last day, the calendar still shows Memorial Day (May 31) and teacher workdays after school (June 1). Students are already out.
First and last day of school
Aug. 24First day, Monday
May 28 to June 3Last day, planned May 28
164School days, by our count
36Weekdays off between them
The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. The last day is Friday, May 28, 2027, with early dismissal, as planned. It can fall anywhere from Friday, May 28 to Thursday, June 3: May 28, or as late as June 3 if the district needs the June 1-3 make-up days.
Teachers start sooner. Staff days before school run Aug. 12 to 21.
Grading periods
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | Aug. 24 to Oct. 21 | 41 |
| 2nd quarter | Oct. 26 to Jan. 14 | 41 |
| 3rd quarter | Jan. 19 to March 17 | 40 |
| 4th quarter | March 22 to May 28 | 42 |
What the district notes
- Snow days are made up in this order: Feb. 12, March 18 and 19, May 7, then June 1-3. Each is a day off unless the district needs it.
- Early dismissal days are Oct. 21, Dec. 18, April 22 and the last day, May 28. Your school sends its dismissal time.
- Wilkes Early College High School follows its own 2026-27 calendar, posted on the same District Calendars page.
- Thanksgiving week and the week after Easter are off: Nov. 23-27, and March 26 to April 2.
Common questions
When does WCS start in 2026?
The first day of school for Wilkes County Schools is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.
When is the last day of school for WCS in 2027?
The last day for students is Friday, May 28, 2027. It is an early release day, as planned. It can fall from Friday, May 28 to Thursday, June 3: May 28, or as late as June 3 if the district needs the June 1-3 make-up days.
When is winter break for WCS?
Winter break runs Monday, Dec. 21 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 (Easter) for WCS?
Spring break (Easter) 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 WCS?
Thanksgiving break runs Monday, Nov. 23 to Friday, Nov. 27. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 29 and go back Monday, Nov. 30.
Does WCS have early release days in 2026-27?
Yes. Wednesday, Oct. 21 (times vary by school), Friday, Dec. 18 (times vary by school), Thursday, April 22 (times vary by school) and Friday, May 28 (times vary by school) are for every school.
How do I put the WCS 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 Wilkes County Schools District Calendars page.
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: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, August grid, 24 marked with a triangle (key: Beginning/Ending of Quarters); list "August 24 First Grading Period Begins". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Monday, August 24: First Day of School/First Grading Period Begins (School Day for Students)".
- Last day, May 28: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, May grid, 28 starred and marked with a triangle; list "May 28 Early Dismissal/Fourth Grading Period Ends". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, May 28: Last Day of School/Early Dismissal for Students/Fourth Grading Period Ends (School Day for Students)".
- When the last day can move, May 28 to June 3: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, box "Priority of Make-Up Days: February 12; March 18, 19; May 7; June 1-3".
- Teacher workdays before school, Aug. 12 to 21: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, August grid, 12 to 14 circled blue (key: Optional Workday), 17 to 21 circled yellow (key: Required Workday); list "August 12-14 Optional Workdays", "August 17-21 Required Workdays".
- Labor Day, Sept. 7: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, September grid, 7 in a purple box (key: Holiday); list "September 7 Labor Day Holiday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Monday, September 7: Labor Day Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)".
- Teacher workday, Sept. 25: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, September grid, 25 circled yellow (key: Required Workday); list "September 25 Required Workday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, September 25: Required Workday (No School for Students)".
- Teacher workdays, Oct. 22 to 23: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, October grid, 22 circled yellow (key: Required Workday), 23 circled blue (key: Optional Workday); list "October 22 Required Workday", "October 23 Optional Workday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Thursday, October 22: Required Workday (No School for Students)", "Friday, October 23: Optional Workday (No School for Students)".
- Teacher workday (Election Day), Nov. 3: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, November grid, 3 circled yellow (key: Required Workday); list "November 3 Required Workday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Tuesday, November 3: Required Workday (No School for Students)".
- Veterans Day, Nov. 11: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, November grid, 11 in a purple box; list "November 11 Veterans Day Holiday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Wednesday, November 11: Veteran's Day Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)".
- Thanksgiving break, Nov. 23 to 27: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, November grid, 23 and 24 circled blue (key: Optional Workday), 25 in a light blue box (key: Annual Leave), 26 and 27 purple boxes; list "November 23-24 Optional Workdays", "November 25 Annual Leave", "November 26-27 Thanksgiving Holidays". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Monday, November 23 - Tuesday, November 24: Optional Workdays (No School for Students)", "Wednesday, November 25: Annual Leave", "Thursday, November 26 - Friday, November 27: Thanksgiving Holidays".
- Winter break, Dec. 21 to Jan. 1: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, December grid, 21 and 22 circled blue (key: Optional Workday), 23 and 29 to 31 light blue boxes, 24, 25 and 28 purple boxes; January grid, 1 purple box; list "December 21-22 Optional Workdays", "December 24-25, 28 Christmas Holidays", "December 23, 29-31 Annual Leave", "January 1 New Year's Holiday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), December 21 to January 1: optional workdays, annual leave, Christmas holidays and New Year's Holiday, all "No School for Students" or "Schools and Offices Closed".
- Teacher workday, Jan. 4: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, January grid, 4 circled yellow (key: Required Workday); list "January 4 Required Workday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Monday, January 4: Required Workday (No School for Students)".
- Teacher workday, Jan. 15: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, January grid, 15 circled yellow (key: Required Workday); list "January 15 Required Workday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, January 15: Required Workday (No School for Students)".
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, January grid, 18 in a purple box; list "January 18 Martin Luther King Holiday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Monday, January 18: Martin Luther King Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)".
- Teacher workday (first make-up day), Feb. 12: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, February grid, 12 circled blue (key: Optional Workday); list "February 12 Optional Workday"; box "Priority of Make-Up Days: February 12; March 18, 19; May 7; June 1-3". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, February 12: Optional Workday (No School for Students)"; PRIORITY MAKE-UP DAYS "February 12".
- Teacher workday (Presidents Day), Feb. 15: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, February grid, 15 circled yellow (key: Required Workday); list "February 15 Required Workday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Monday, February 15: Required Workday (No School for Students)".
- Teacher workdays (make-up days), March 18 to 19: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, March grid, 18 circled yellow (key: Required Workday), 19 circled blue (key: Optional Workday); list "March 18 Required Workday", "March 19 Optional Workday"; box "Priority of Make-Up Days: February 12; March 18, 19; May 7; June 1-3". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Thursday, March 18: Required Workday", "Friday, March 19: Optional Workday"; PRIORITY MAKE-UP DAYS "March 18, 19".
- Spring break (Easter), March 26 to April 2: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, March grid, 26 in a purple box, 29 to 31 light blue boxes; April grid, 1 and 2 light blue boxes; list "March 26 Easter Holiday", "March 29-April 2 Annual Leave". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, March 26: Easter Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)", "Monday, March 29 - Wednesday, March 31: Annual Leave", "Thursday, April 1 - Friday, April 2: Annual Leave (Schools and Offices Closed)".
- Teacher workday, April 23: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, April grid, 23 circled yellow (key: Required Workday); list "April 23 Required Workday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, April 23: Required Workday (No School for Students)".
- Teacher workday (make-up day), May 7: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, May grid, 7 circled blue (key: Optional Workday); list "May 7 Optional Workday"; box "Priority of Make-Up Days: February 12; March 18, 19; May 7; June 1-3". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, May 7: Optional Workday (No School for Students)"; PRIORITY MAKE-UP DAYS "May 7".
- Memorial Day, May 31: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, May grid, 31 in a purple box; list "May 31 Memorial Day Holiday". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Monday, May 31: Memorial Day Holiday (School and Offices Closed)".
- Teacher workdays after school, June 1 to 8: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, June grid, 1 to 3 circled yellow (key: Required Workday), 4, 7 and 8 circled blue (key: Optional Workday); list "June 1-3 Required Workdays", "June 4, 7-8 Optional Workdays".
- Early dismissal, end of 1st quarter, Oct. 21: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, October grid, 21 starred (key: Early Dismissal) and marked with a triangle; list "October 21 Early Dismissal/First Grading Period Ends". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Wednesday, October 21: Early Dismissal for Students/First Grading Period Ends (School Day for Students)".
- Early dismissal before winter break, Dec. 18: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, December grid, 18 starred (key: Early Dismissal); list "December 18 Early Dismissal". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, December 18: Early Dismissal for Students (School Day for Students)".
- Early dismissal, April 22: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, April grid, 22 starred (key: Early Dismissal); list "April 22 Early Dismissal". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Thursday, April 22: Early Dismissal for Students (School Day for Students)".
- Last day of school, early dismissal, May 28: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, May grid, 28 starred and marked with a triangle; list "May 28 Early Dismissal/Fourth Grading Period Ends". Also: Wilkes County Schools District Calendars (board-approved 2026-2027 academic calendar in English and Spanish, with a text version of every date), "Friday, May 28: Last Day of School/Early Dismissal for Students/Fourth Grading Period Ends".
- 1st quarter: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, triangles August 24 and October 21 (key: Beginning/Ending of Quarters); list "August 24 First Grading Period Begins", "October 21 Early Dismissal/First Grading Period Ends".
- 2nd quarter: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, triangles October 26 and January 14; list "October 26 Second Grading Period Begins", "January 14 Second Grading Period Ends".
- 3rd quarter: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, triangles January 19 and March 17; list "January 19 Third Grading Period Begins", "March 17 Third Grading Period Ends".
- 4th quarter: Wilkes County Schools School Calendar 2026-2027 Academic Calendar (PDF), page 1, triangles March 22 and May 28; list "March 22 Fourth Grading Period Begins", "May 28 Early Dismissal/Fourth Grading Period Ends".