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HCPSS Howard County MD Calendar 26-27

  • 2026/27
  • Maryland
  • 6 teacher days

The HCPSS Howard County 2026–27 school year starts on August 24, 2026. Breaks include Thanksgiving break November 26, winter break December 24, and spring break March 22. The table below lists all teacher workdays and holidays. Download the PDF calendar, or read the FAQs.

School year starts Mon, Aug 24, 2026 First day for K-12 students
School year ends See full dates Last day not published separately
Next key date Mon, Aug 24, 2026 Counts down once the school year is under way

HCPSS Howard County 2026-27 calendar

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HCPSS Howard County school year calendar

Every published date for 2026–27, colour-coded by what happens that day.

  • First day of school
  • Holiday - school closed
  • Break / vacation
  • Teacher / professional day
  • Early release / half day
  • Parent-teacher conference
  • Weather make-up day
  • Other scheduled date

August 2026

  • August 13, 2026 — First day for staff
  • August 24, 2026 — First day for K-12 students
  • August 27, 2026 — First day for pre-K/RECC students

September 2026

  • September 7, 2026 — Schools and offices closed – Labor Day
  • September 21, 2026 — Schools and offices closed – Yom Kippur
  • September 30, 2026 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day

October 2026

  • October 16, 2026 — Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day
  • October 28, 2026 — Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day

November 2026

  • November 3, 2026 — Schools and offices closed – Election Day
  • November 23, 2026 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – ES/MS Parent/Teacher Conferences, HS Staff Professional Day
  • November 24, 2026 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – ES/MS Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • November 25, 2026 — Schools closed for students – Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • November 26, 2026 — Schools and offices closed – Thanksgiving Holiday

December 2026

  • December 9, 2026 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day
  • December 24, 2026 — Schools and offices closed – Winter Break
  • December 25, 2026 — Schools and offices closed – Winter Break
  • December 28, 2026 — Schools closed – Winter Break
  • December 29, 2026 — Schools closed – Winter Break

January 2027

  • January 1, 2027 — Schools and offices closed – Winter Break
  • January 14, 2027 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – ES Parent/Teacher Conferences; MS/HS Midterm Exams
  • January 15, 2027 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – ES Parent/Teacher Conferences; MS/HS Midterm Exams
  • January 18, 2027 — Schools and offices closed – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • January 19, 2027 — Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day

February 2027

  • February 3, 2027 — Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day
  • February 15, 2027 — Schools and offices closed – Presidents Day

March 2027

  • March 9, 2027 — Schools closed for students – Eid al Fitr; Staff Professional Day
  • March 22, 2027 — Schools closed – Spring Break
  • March 23, 2027 — Schools closed – Spring Break
  • March 24, 2027 — Schools closed – Spring Break
  • March 25, 2027 — Schools closed – Spring Break

April 2027

  • April 8, 2027 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day

May 2027

  • May 17, 2027 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day
  • May 31, 2027 — Schools and offices closed – Memorial Day

June 2027

  • June 2, 2027 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day
  • June 7, 2027 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day (may become full day if inclement weather days are used)
  • June 8, 2027 — Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day – Last Scheduled Day (may become full day if inclement weather days are used)
  • June 9-11, 2027 — May be used as inclement weather days
  • June 18, 2027 — Schools and offices closed – Juneteenth (observed)

July 2027

  • July 5, 2027 — Schools and offices closed – Independence Day (observed)

HCPSS Howard County teacher and staff days 2026/27

Students normally stay home on these days. Confirm with the district before making plans.

  • August 13, 2026 First day for staff District source
  • October 16, 2026 Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day District source
  • October 28, 2026 Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day District source
  • January 19, 2027 Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day District source
  • February 3, 2027 Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day District source
  • March 9, 2027 Schools closed for students – Eid al Fitr; Staff Professional Day District source

HCPSS Howard County breaks and holidays

School is closed to students on these dates.

  • September 7, 2026 Schools and offices closed – Labor Day Holiday
  • September 21, 2026 Schools and offices closed – Yom Kippur Holiday
  • November 26, 2026 Schools and offices closed – Thanksgiving Holiday Holiday
  • November 27, 2026 Schools and offices closed – Thanksgiving Holiday Holiday
  • December 24, 2026 Schools and offices closed – Winter Break Break
  • December 25, 2026 Schools and offices closed – Winter Break Break
  • December 28, 2026 Schools closed – Winter Break Break
  • December 29, 2026 Schools closed – Winter Break Break
  • December 30, 2026 Schools closed – Winter Break Break
  • December 31, 2026 Schools closed – Winter Break Break
  • January 1, 2027 Schools and offices closed – Winter Break Break
  • January 18, 2027 Schools and offices closed – Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday
  • February 15, 2027 Schools and offices closed – Presidents Day Holiday
  • March 22, 2027 Schools closed – Spring Break Break
  • March 23, 2027 Schools closed – Spring Break Break
  • March 24, 2027 Schools closed – Spring Break Break
  • March 25, 2027 Schools closed – Spring Break Break
  • March 26, 2027 Schools and offices closed – Spring Break Break

Your checked 2026/27 HCPSS Howard County planning calendar

How these dates are put together, and what to double-check before you book anything.

Useful now44 published dates for the 2026–27 school year, laid out month by month.
CheckedTaken from the district’s own published calendar, not retyped from memory.
Kept currentLast updated May 2, 2026.
Full term dates table

HCPSS Howard County MD 2026–27 calendar dates

DateEvent
August 13, 2026First day for staff
August 24, 2026First day for K-12 students
August 27, 2026First day for pre-K/RECC students
September 7, 2026Schools and offices closed – Labor Day
September 21, 2026Schools and offices closed – Yom Kippur
September 30, 2026Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day
October 16, 2026Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day
October 28, 2026Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day
November 3, 2026Schools and offices closed – Election Day
November 23, 2026Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – ES/MS Parent/Teacher Conferences, HS Staff Professional Day
November 24, 2026Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – ES/MS Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 25, 2026Schools closed for students – Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 26, 2026Schools and offices closed – Thanksgiving Holiday
November 27, 2026Schools and offices closed – Thanksgiving Holiday
December 9, 2026Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day
December 24, 2026Schools and offices closed – Winter Break
December 25, 2026Schools and offices closed – Winter Break
December 28, 2026Schools closed – Winter Break
December 29, 2026Schools closed – Winter Break
December 30, 2026Schools closed – Winter Break
December 31, 2026Schools closed – Winter Break
January 1, 2027Schools and offices closed – Winter Break
January 14, 2027Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – ES Parent/Teacher Conferences; MS/HS Midterm Exams
January 15, 2027Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – ES Parent/Teacher Conferences; MS/HS Midterm Exams
January 18, 2027Schools and offices closed – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19, 2027Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day
February 3, 2027Schools closed for students – Staff Professional Day
February 15, 2027Schools and offices closed – Presidents Day
March 9, 2027Schools closed for students – Eid al Fitr; Staff Professional Day
March 22, 2027Schools closed – Spring Break
March 23, 2027Schools closed – Spring Break
March 24, 2027Schools closed – Spring Break
March 25, 2027Schools closed – Spring Break
March 26, 2027Schools and offices closed – Spring Break
March 29, 2027Schools and offices closed – Spring Break
April 8, 2027Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day
May 17, 2027Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day
May 31, 2027Schools and offices closed – Memorial Day
June 2, 2027Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day
June 7, 2027Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day (may become full day if inclement weather days are used)
June 8, 2027Schools close 3 hours early; No half-day Pre-K/RECC – Staff Professional Day – Last Scheduled Day (may become full day if inclement weather days are used)
June 9-11, 2027May be used as inclement weather days
June 18, 2027Schools and offices closed – Juneteenth (observed)
July 5, 2027Schools and offices closed – Independence Day (observed)

HCPSS 2026-2027 School Calendar – Frequently Asked Questions

When is the first day of school in HCPSS for 2026-2027?
The first day of school for K-12 students in HCPSS is August 24, 2026. Pre-K/RECC students begin on August 27, 2026.
When does Spring Break start in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Spring Break in HCPSS runs from March 22 through March 29, 2027. Schools are closed during this period.
When is Christmas Break in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Christmas Break is part of Winter Break and begins on December 24, 2026. Schools remain closed through January 1, 2027.
When is Winter Break in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Winter Break starts December 24, 2026 and continues through January 1, 2027, with schools reopening after the break in January 2027.
When is Thanksgiving Break in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Thanksgiving Break takes place on November 26 and November 27, 2026. Schools and offices are closed for the holiday.
When is the last day of school in HCPSS 2026-2027?
The last scheduled day of school is June 8, 2027. This may change if inclement weather days are used.
When is Labor Day in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Labor Day is observed on September 7, 2026. Schools and offices are closed.
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on January 18, 2027. Schools and offices are closed.
When is Presidents Day in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Presidents Day is observed on February 15, 2027. Schools and offices are closed.
Are there professional development days in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Yes. Staff Professional Days (schools closed for students) are scheduled on October 16, 2026; October 28, 2026; January 19, 2027; and February 3, 2027, along with several early dismissal professional development days throughout the year.

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HCPSS Howard County calendar FAQs

When is the first day of school in HCPSS for 2026-2027?
The first day of school for K-12 students in HCPSS is August 24, 2026. Pre-K/RECC students begin on August 27, 2026.
When does Spring Break start in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Spring Break in HCPSS runs from March 22 through March 29, 2027. Schools are closed during this period.
When is Christmas Break in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Christmas Break is part of Winter Break and begins on December 24, 2026. Schools remain closed through January 1, 2027.
When is Winter Break in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Winter Break starts December 24, 2026 and continues through January 1, 2027, with schools reopening after the break in January 2027.
When is Thanksgiving Break in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Thanksgiving Break takes place on November 26 and November 27, 2026. Schools and offices are closed for the holiday.
When is the last day of school in HCPSS 2026-2027?
The last scheduled day of school is June 8, 2027. This may change if inclement weather days are used.
When is Labor Day in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Labor Day is observed on September 7, 2026. Schools and offices are closed.
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on January 18, 2027. Schools and offices are closed.
When is Presidents Day in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Presidents Day is observed on February 15, 2027. Schools and offices are closed.
Are there professional development days in HCPSS 2026-2027?
Yes. Staff Professional Days (schools closed for students) are scheduled on October 16, 2026; October 28, 2026; January 19, 2027; and February 3, 2027, along with several early dismissal professional development days throughout the year.

Dates can change after publication. Read our calendar disclaimer.