Howard County 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 |
| Yom Kippur | September 21, 2026 | 1 day |
| Staff Workday | October 16, 2026 | 1 day |
| Staff Professional Learning/Workday | October 28, 2026 | 1 day |
| Election Day | November 3, 2026 | 1 day |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 26–27, 2026 | 2 days |
| Winter Break | December 24, 2026 – January 1, 2027 | 9 days |
| MLK Day | January 18, 2027 | 1 day |
| Staff Professional Workday | January 19, 2027 | 1 day |
| Staff Professional Learning Day | February 3, 2027 | 1 day |
| Presidents Day | February 15, 2027 | 1 day |
| Eid al-Fitr | March 9, 2027 | 1 day |
| Spring Break | March 22–29, 2027 | 8 days |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 | 1 day |
| Last day of school | Tuesday, June 8, 2027 |
Worth knowing: Pre-K and early childhood center students start August 27, three days after everyone else, and snow days can push the June 8 finish into mid-June.
Source: Howard County Public Schools 2026–27 academic calendar. Checked against the district's published calendar on August 13, 2026.
Next year: 2027–28
The 2027–28 calendar hasn't been adopted yet. Howard County Public Schools typically starts late August; school boards usually approve the following year's calendar between January and May. This page will be updated when the district publishes it.
Questions parents ask
When does school start for Howard County Public Schools in 2026?
The first day of the 2026–27 school year is Monday, August 24, 2026.
When is Howard County Public Schools' Thanksgiving break?
Thanksgiving break is November 26–27, 2026.
When is Howard County Public Schools' winter break?
Winter break runs December 24, 2026 – January 1, 2027. Students return Monday, January 4, 2027.
When is Howard County Public Schools' spring break in 2027?
Spring break is March 22–29, 2027.
When is the last day of school for Howard County Public Schools?
The 2026–27 school year ends Tuesday, June 8, 2027.
Has Howard County Public Schools released its 2027–28 calendar?
Not yet. School boards usually approve the following year's calendar between January and May; this page will be updated when the district publishes it.
About Howard County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System serves about 58,000 students in Howard County. Official site: hcpss.org.
- Compare first days across the area: Baltimore area first days of school
- All tracked districts in the state: When does school start in Maryland?