Chicago Public Schools calendar 2026–27
First day of school: Monday, August 24, 2026
The 2026–27 year at a glance
| What | When | No school |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | Monday, August 24, 2026 | |
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 | 1 day |
| Professional Development Day | September 25, 2026 | 1 day |
| Indigenous Peoples' Day | October 12, 2026 | 1 day |
| Parent-Teacher Conference Day | November 2, 2026 | 1 day |
| General Election Day (holiday observed in lieu of Veterans Day) | November 3, 2026 | 1 day |
| Veterans Day - Professional Development Day | November 11, 2026 | 1 day |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 23–27, 2026 | 5 days |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 | 12 days |
| Professional Development Day | January 4, 2027 | 1 day |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 | 1 day |
| Professional Development Day | January 29, 2027 | 1 day |
| Presidents' Day | February 15, 2027 | 1 day |
| Professional Development Day | February 23, 2027 | 1 day |
| Spring Break | March 22–26, 2027 | 5 days |
| Professional Development Day | April 6, 2027 | 1 day |
| Parent-Teacher Conference Day | April 12, 2027 | 1 day |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 | 1 day |
| Last day of school | Friday, June 11, 2027 |
Worth knowing: Pre-K students start a day later, on August 25, and finish a day earlier on June 10; emergency closures can push the year into late June.
Source: Chicago Public Schools 2026–27 academic calendar, adopted February 2026 (Board of Education approved 2026-27 and 2027-28 calendars). Checked against the district's published calendar on August 13, 2026.
Next year: 2027–28
Chicago Public Schools has already adopted its 2027–28 calendar. The first day of school is Monday, August 23, 2027, and the last day is June 9, 2028. Breaks and holidays for that year go on this page as the district publishes them.
Source: Chicago Public Schools 2027–28 academic calendar. Checked against the district's published calendar on August 13, 2026.
Questions parents ask
When does school start for Chicago Public Schools in 2026?
The first day of the 2026–27 school year is Monday, August 24, 2026.
When is Chicago Public Schools' Thanksgiving break?
Thanksgiving break is November 23–27, 2026.
When is Chicago Public Schools' winter break?
Winter break runs December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027. Students return Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
When is Chicago Public Schools' spring break in 2027?
Spring break is March 22–26, 2027.
When is the last day of school for Chicago Public Schools?
The 2026–27 school year ends Friday, June 11, 2027.
Has Chicago Public Schools released its 2027–28 calendar?
Yes — the 2027–28 first day of school is Monday, August 23, 2027.
About Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools (City of Chicago School District 299) serves about 325,000 students in Cook County. Official site: cps.edu.
- All tracked districts in the state: When does school start in Illinois?