- School starts Monday, Aug. 9, 2027 and ends Wednesday, May 24, 2028, an early release day.
- Thanksgiving break: Nov. 22 to 26. Students are out Saturday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 28, back Monday, Nov. 29.
- Winter break: Dec. 20 to 31. Students are out Saturday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Jan. 3, back Tuesday, Jan. 4.
- Spring break: March 13 to 17. Students are out Saturday, March 11 to Sunday, March 19, back Monday, March 20.
- Two early release days for every school. Details below.
The GISD 2027-28 calendar
This is the district's own calendar, as GISD publishes it. Tap it to open the full-size image.
Add the GISD 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.
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.
GISD vacations and holidays, 2027-28
Every day with no school for students, from the first day to the last: 12 entries and 33 weekdays in all.
| Day off | Dates | Days of the week | School days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Holiday | Sept. 6 | Mon | 1 |
| Fall break Break | Oct. 11 to 15 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Staff development day (student holiday) Staff day | Oct. 18 | Mon | 1 |
| Staff development day (student holiday) Staff day | Nov. 2 | Tue | 1 |
| Thanksgiving break Break | Nov. 22 to 26 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Winter break Break | Dec. 20 to 31 | Mon to Fri | 10 |
| Staff development day (student holiday) Staff day | Jan. 3 | Mon | 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | Jan. 17 | Mon | 1 |
| Staff and student holiday Holiday | Feb. 14 | Mon | 1 |
| Staff development day (student holiday) Staff day | Feb. 15 | Tue | 1 |
| Spring break Break | March 13 to 17 | Mon to Fri | 5 |
| Staff and student holiday Holiday | April 14 | Fri | 1 |
GISD early release days
Two early release days in all.
| Date | Day | What | Dismissal | Who |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 17 | Fri | End of 2nd grading period | Early dismissal: pre-K and elementary 1:25 p.m., middle school 2:05 p.m., high school 12:40 p.m. | All schools |
| May 24 | Wed | Last day of school | Early dismissal: pre-K and elementary 1:25 p.m., middle school 2:05 p.m., high school 12:40 p.m. | 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. 4 to Monday, Sept. 6. Labor Day. Back Tuesday, Sept. 7.
- 10 days off in a row: Saturday, Oct. 9 to Monday, Oct. 18. Fall break and staff development day (student holiday). Back Tuesday, Oct. 19.
- 9 days off in a row: Saturday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 28. Thanksgiving break. Back Monday, Nov. 29.
- 17.5 days off in a row: Friday, Dec. 17 at early dismissal to Monday, Jan. 3. End of 2nd grading period early release, winter break and staff development day (student holiday). Back Tuesday, Jan. 4.
- 3-day weekend: Saturday, Jan. 15 to Monday, Jan. 17. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Back Tuesday, Jan. 18.
- 4-day weekend: Saturday, Feb. 12 to Tuesday, Feb. 15. Staff and student holiday and staff development day (student holiday). Back Wednesday, Feb. 16.
- 9 days off in a row: Saturday, March 11 to Sunday, March 19. Spring break. Back Monday, March 20.
- 3-day weekend: Friday, April 14 to Sunday, April 16. Staff and student holiday. Back Monday, April 17.
Weeks with fewer than five school days
Eight weeks have fewer than five school days, and five weeks have none at all.
| Week of | School days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 6 | 4 | Labor Day |
| Oct. 11 | 0 | Fall break |
| Oct. 18 | 4 | Staff development day (student holiday) |
| Nov. 1 | 4 | Staff development day (student holiday) |
| Nov. 22 | 0 | Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 20 | 0 | Winter break |
| Dec. 27 | 0 | Winter break |
| Jan. 3 | 4 | Staff development day (student holiday) |
| Jan. 17 | 4 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Feb. 14 | 3 | Staff and student holiday and staff development day (student holiday) |
| March 13 | 0 | Spring break |
| April 10 | 4 | Staff and student holiday |
| May 22 | 3 | After the last day |
Teacher workdays: no school for students
Four of the days off are staff days. Teachers work; students stay home. Plan child care as you would for a holiday.
- Monday, Oct. 18: staff development day (student holiday)
- Tuesday, Nov. 2: staff development day (student holiday)
- Monday, Jan. 3: staff development day (student holiday)
- Tuesday, Feb. 15: staff development day (student holiday)
Makeup days
The calendar names no makeup days. It is marked subject to change. If school closes for weather, the district announces how the day is made up.
Also worth knowing
- School is open on some federal holidays: Veterans Day (Thursday, Nov. 11) and Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) (Monday, Feb. 21). Banks, post offices and many offices close; school does not.
- The Garland ISD calendar prints no parent-teacher conference days.
- The academic calendar prints no testing dates; the district's Testing Calendar page lists testing by school level.
- After the last day, the calendar still shows staff development (no students) (May 25) and Memorial Day (May 29). Students are already out.
First and last day of school
The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 9, 2027. The last day is Wednesday, May 24, 2028, with early dismissal.
Teachers start sooner. Staff days before school run July 29 to Aug. 6.
The district prints 175 instructional days across the quarters. Our count of the calendar matches.
Grading periods
First semester: 82 days. Second semester: 93 days.
| Period | Dates | School days |
|---|---|---|
| 1st grading period | Aug. 9 to Oct. 8 | 44 |
| 2nd grading period | Oct. 19 to Dec. 17 | 38 |
| 3rd grading period | Jan. 4 to March 10 | 46 |
| 4th grading period | March 20 to May 24 | 47 |
What the district notes
- School hours: full-day pre-K and elementary 8:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., middle school 8:50 a.m. to 4:10 p.m., high school 7:30 a.m. to 2:52 p.m. On early dismissal days, pre-K and elementary leave at 1:25 p.m., middle school at 2:05 p.m. and high school at 12:40 p.m.
- The calendar counts 175 instructional days: 82 in the first semester and 93 in the second.
- The last day of school is a Wednesday, May 24, with early dismissal. Thursday, May 25 is a staff development day with no students.
Common questions
When does GISD start in 2027?
The first day of school for Garland Independent School District is Monday, Aug. 9, 2027.
When is the last day of school for GISD in 2028?
The last day for students is Wednesday, May 24, 2028. It is an early release day.
When is winter break for GISD?
Winter break runs Monday, Dec. 20 to Friday, Dec. 31. Counting weekends and the days next to it, students are out Saturday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Jan. 3 and go back Tuesday, Jan. 4.
When is spring break for GISD?
Spring break runs Monday, March 13 to Friday, March 17. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, March 11 to Sunday, March 19 and go back Monday, March 20.
When is Thanksgiving break for GISD?
Thanksgiving break runs Monday, Nov. 22 to Friday, Nov. 26. Counting weekends, students are out Saturday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 28 and go back Monday, Nov. 29.
Does GISD have early release days in 2027-28?
Yes. Friday, Dec. 17 (early dismissal: pre-K and elementary 1:25 p.m., middle school 2:05 p.m., high school 12:40 p.m.) and Wednesday, May 24 (early dismissal: pre-K and elementary 1:25 p.m., middle school 2:05 p.m., high school 12:40 p.m.) are for every school.
How do I put the GISD 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 Garland ISD School Year Calendar page 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. 9: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, August grid, [9 bold; note "Aug. 9: First day of class, First grading period begins". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "9 de ago.: Primer día de clases".
- Last day, May 24: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, May grid, 24] bold; note "May 24: Last day of class, Early dismissal, Fourth grading period ends". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "24 de may.: Último día de clases, Salida temprana de alumnos".
- Staff development (no students), July 29 to 30: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, July grid, 29 and 30 bold; note "July 29-30: Staff development". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "29-30 de jul.: Capacitación profesional".
- Staff development (no students), Aug. 2 to 6: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, August grid, 2 to 6 bold; note "Aug. 2-6: Staff development". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "2-6 de ago.: Capacitación profesional".
- Labor Day, Sept. 6: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, September grid, 6 in green; note "Sept. 6: Labor Day". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "6 de sept: Día del Trabajador".
- Fall break, Oct. 11 to 15: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, October grid, 11 to 15 in green; note "Oct. 11-15: Fall Break". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "11-15 de oct.: Vacación de otoño".
- Staff development day (student holiday), Oct. 18: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, October grid, 18 bold; note "Oct. 18: Staff development/ Student holiday". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "18 de oct.: Capacitación profesional/ Feriado para alumnos".
- Staff development day (student holiday), Nov. 2: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, November grid, 2 bold; note "Nov. 2: Staff development/ Student holiday". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "2 de nov.: Capacitación profesional/ Feriado para alumnos".
- Thanksgiving break, Nov. 22 to 26: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, November grid, 22 to 26 in green; note "Nov. 22-26: Thanksgiving Break". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "22-26 de nov.: Vacación de Día de Acción de Gracias".
- Winter break, Dec. 20 to 31: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, December grid, 20 to 24 and 27 to 31 in green; note "Dec. 20-31: Winter Break". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "20-31 de dic.: Vacación de invierno".
- Staff development day (student holiday), Jan. 3: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, January grid, 3 bold; note "Jan. 3: Staff development/ Student holiday". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "3 de ene.: Capacitación profesional/ Feriado para alumnos".
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 17: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, January grid, 17 in green; note "Jan. 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "17 de ene.: Día de Martin Luther King Jr.".
- Staff and student holiday, Feb. 14: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, February grid, 14 in green; note "Feb. 14: Staff/Student holiday". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "14 de feb.: Feriado para alumnos y personal".
- Staff development day (student holiday), Feb. 15: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, February grid, 15 bold; note "Feb. 15: Staff development/ Student holiday". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "15 de feb.: Capacitación profesional/ Feriado para alumnos".
- Spring break, March 13 to 17: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, March grid, 13 to 17 in green; note "March 13-17: Spring Break". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "13-17 de mar.: Vacación de primavera".
- Staff and student holiday, April 14: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, April grid, 14 in green; note "April 14: Staff/Student holiday". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), April grid, 14 in green (the note under it reads "16 de abr."; see discrepancies).
- Staff development (no students), May 25: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, May grid, 25 bold; note "May 25: Staff development/ Student holiday". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "25 de may.: Capacitación profesional/ Feriado para alumnos".
- Memorial Day, May 29: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, May grid, 29 in green; note "May 29: Memorial Day". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "29 de may.: Día de los Caídos".
- End of 2nd grading period, Dec. 17: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, December grid, 17] bold; note "Dec. 17: Early dismissal, Second grading period ends". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "17 de dic.: Salida temprana".
- Last day of school, May 24: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, May grid, 24] bold; note "May 24: Last day of class, Early dismissal". Also: Calendario Académico de 2027-28 de Garland ISD (PDF, "2027-28 calendar-Spanish"), "24 de may.: Último día de clases, Salida temprana de alumnos".
- Dismissal time, End of 2nd grading period, Dec. 17: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, "Early dismissal times: Full-day prekindergarten 8:10 a.m.-1:25 p.m., Elementary school 8:10 a.m.-1:25 p.m., Middle school 8:50 a.m.-2:05 p.m., High school 7:30 a.m.-12:40 p.m.".
- Dismissal time, Last day of school, May 24: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, "Early dismissal times: Full-day prekindergarten 8:10 a.m.-1:25 p.m., Elementary school 8:10 a.m.-1:25 p.m., Middle school 8:50 a.m.-2:05 p.m., High school 7:30 a.m.-12:40 p.m.".
- 1st grading period: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, grading period box "Aug. 9-Oct. 8 (44 days)"; October grid, 8].
- 2nd grading period: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, grading period box "Oct. 19-Dec. 17 (38 days)"; October grid, [19; December grid, 17].
- 3rd grading period: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, grading period box "Jan. 4-Mar. 10 (46 days)"; January grid, [4; March grid, 10].
- 4th grading period: 2027-28 Garland ISD Academic Calendar (PDF, updated 12/03/25), page 1, grading period box "Mar. 20-May. 24 (47 days)"; March grid, [20; May grid, 24].