Overview
Maryland school calendar 2026-2027 dates are essential for families planning vacations, childcare, appointments, and school year activities. This guide covers Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), and Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) key dates for the 2026–2027 school year.
All dates below are drawn from official school board–approved calendars. Check your district’s website for the most current updates, as dates can shift due to inclement weather or emergency closures.
Quick Comparison: First & Last Days
| District | First Day | Last Day |
| MCPS (Montgomery Co.) | Aug. 25, 2026 | Jun. 16, 2027 |
| PGCPS (Prince George’s Co.) | Aug. 25, 2026 | Jun. 15, 2027 |
| HCPSS (Howard Co.) | Aug. 24, 2026 | Jun. 8, 2027 |
Note: Last days for all three districts are subject to change if schools are closed for inclement weather or other emergencies. Make-up days are built into each calendar.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 2026–2027
With more than 165,000 students, MCPS is one of the largest school systems in the United States. Montgomery County students return to school on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 — one of the later start dates among major DC-area districts.
MCPS Key Dates at a Glance
| Date(s) | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 25, 2026 (Tue) | First Day of School | All grades |
| Sep. 7, 2026 | No School – Labor Day | State-mandated holiday |
| Sep. 21, 2026 | No School – Yom Kippur | Religious observance |
| Oct. 30, 2026 | Early Release – End Q1 | Professional development |
| Nov. 11, 2026 | No School – Veterans Day | |
| Nov. 25–27, 2026 | No School – Thanksgiving Break | |
| Dec. 24, 2026–Jan. 1, 2027 | Winter Break | Offices closed Dec. 24–25, Jan. 1 |
| Jan. 18, 2027 | No School – MLK Day | State-mandated holiday |
| Feb. 15, 2027 | No School – Presidents Day | State-mandated holiday |
| Mar. 9, 2027 | No School – Eid al-Fitr* | Religious observance |
| Apr. 1–6, 2027 | Spring Break | Q3 ends Apr. 9 |
| May 31, 2027 | No School – Memorial Day | State-mandated holiday |
| Jun. 16, 2027 | Last Day (Early Release) | Subject to change for weather make-up days |
*Religious holidays are included for planning purposes. MCPS recognizes and accommodates diverse religious observances.
MCPS Spring Break 2027
MCPS spring break runs April 1–6, 2027 — the latest spring break window among the three Maryland districts covered here. The third quarter officially ends on April 9. Families planning spring travel should note that this window differs from PGCPS and Howard County, so coordinating with extended family in other counties may require extra planning. Families should compare the Maryland school calendar 2026-2027 dates before booking travel.
MCPS Resources
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) 2026–2027
Prince George’s County Public Schools serves approximately 140,000 students across more than 200 schools. Like MCPS, the first day of school is Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 — with Aug. 24 designated as Student Orientation Day.
PGCPS Key Dates at a Glance
| Date(s) | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 25, 2026 (Tue) | First Day of School | Aug. 24 = Student Orientation Day |
| Sep. 7, 2026 | No School – Labor Day | Offices closed |
| Sep. 21, 2026 | No School – Yom Kippur* | Religious observance |
| Nov. 3, 2026 | No School – Election Day | Offices closed |
| Nov. 25–27, 2026 | No School – Thanksgiving Break | |
| Dec. 21, 2026–Jan. 1, 2027 | Winter & Christmas Break | Offices closed |
| Jan. 18, 2027 | No School – MLK Day | Offices closed |
| Jan. 22, 2027 | End of Q2 / Early Release | |
| Feb. 15, 2027 | No School – Presidents Day | Offices closed |
| Mar. 10, 2027 | No School – Eid al-Fitr* | Staff professional day |
| Mar. 26, 2027 | No School – Good Friday | Offices closed |
| Mar. 29, 2027 | No School – Day after Easter | Offices closed |
| Mar. 30–Apr. 2, 2027 | Spring Break | |
| May 17, 2027 | No School – Eid al-Adha* | Offices closed |
| May 31, 2027 | No School – Memorial Day | Offices closed |
| Jun. 15, 2027 | Last Day (Early Release) | Make-up days: Jun. 16–17 |
*PGCPS observes Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha as school holidays, reflecting the district’s commitment to recognizing the diversity of its students and staff.
PGCPS Spring Break 2027
PGCPS spring break runs March 30–April 2, 2027 (four days), bookended by Good Friday (March 26) and the Monday after Easter (March 29), which are separate closures. Families planning a longer spring getaway may find they can string together an extended break across these dates.
Notable: Earlier Winter Break Start
PGCPS winter break begins December 21, 2026 — earlier than both MCPS and Howard County, which start December 24. Families with children in multiple systems should note the different start dates.
PGCPS Resources
PGCPS Official School Calendar
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) 2026–2027
The Howard County Public School System serves approximately 57,000 students. Howard County has the earliest first day of the three districts, with K–12 students returning Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Pre-K and RECC students begin Aug. 27.
HCPSS Key Dates at a Glance
| Date(s) | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 24, 2026 (Mon) | First Day – K–12 | PreK/RECC starts Aug. 27 |
| Sep. 7, 2026 | No School – Labor Day | State-mandated holiday |
| Sep. 21, 2026 | No School – Yom Kippur | |
| Oct. 16 & 28, 2026 | No School – Staff Professional Days | |
| Nov. 3, 2026 | No School – Election Day | Offices closed |
| Nov. 23–24, 2026 | Early Release – P/T Conferences | |
| Nov. 25, 2026 | No School – P/T Conferences | |
| Nov. 26–27, 2026 | No School – Thanksgiving | Offices closed |
| Dec. 24, 2026–Jan. 1, 2027 | Winter Break | Offices closed Dec. 24–25, Jan. 1 |
| Jan. 18, 2027 | No School – MLK Day | Offices closed |
| Feb. 15, 2027 | No School – Presidents Day | Offices closed |
| Mar. 9, 2027 | No School – Eid al-Fitr / Prof. Dev. | |
| Mar. 22–29, 2027 | Spring Break | Offices closed Mar. 26, 29 |
| May 31, 2027 | No School – Memorial Day | Offices closed |
| Jun. 8, 2027 | Last Scheduled Day (Early Release) | Make-up days: Jun. 9–11 |
HCPSS Spring Break 2027
Howard County’s spring break is the longest of the three Maryland districts — running a full week from March 22 through March 29. County offices close on March 26 (Good Friday) and March 29. This aligned spring break window makes Howard County a popular choice for families who want a longer spring travel window.
Howard County Last Day Note
Howard County’s last scheduled day (June 8) is the earliest among the three districts. However, if inclement weather days are needed, June 9–11 serve as make-up days, which could push the end of year to June 11.
HCPSS Resources
Side-by-Side Comparison: Key Breaks
Use this quick-reference table to compare major school breaks across all three Maryland districts.
| Break / Event | MCPS | PGCPS | HCPSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day | Aug. 25 | Aug. 25 | Aug. 24 |
| Labor Day | Sep. 7 | Sep. 7 | Sep. 7 |
| Thanksgiving | Nov. 25–27 | Nov. 25–27 | Nov. 26–27 |
| Winter Break | Dec. 24–Jan. 1 | Dec. 21–Jan. 1 | Dec. 24–Jan. 1 |
| Spring Break | Apr. 1–6 | Mar. 30–Apr. 2 | Mar. 22–29 |
| Memorial Day | May 31 | May 31 | May 31 |
| Last Day | Jun. 16 | Jun. 15 | Jun. 8 |
Tip: The biggest difference between districts is spring break timing. HCPSS has the earliest and longest (Mar. 22–29), PGCPS is in the middle (Mar. 30–Apr. 2), and MCPS has the latest (Apr. 1–6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Maryland counties follow the same school calendar?
No. While Maryland requires a minimum number of instructional days, each county school board sets its own calendar. MCPS, PGCPS, and HCPSS all have different start dates, spring break windows, and end dates for 2026–2027.
When is spring break in Maryland for 2027?
Spring break varies by county: HCPSS: March 22–29 | PGCPS: March 30–April 2 | MCPS: April 1–6. If you have children in multiple districts, plan accordingly — the windows do not overlap.
Are there any shared holidays across all three districts?
Yes. Labor Day (September 7), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18), Presidents Day (February 15), and Memorial Day (May 31) are common closures across MCPS, PGCPS, and HCPSS.
What happens if there’s a snow day?
Each district has built-in make-up days. PGCPS designates April 19, June 16, and June 17 as potential make-up days. HCPSS uses June 9–11. MCPS uses days at the end of the year as needed. If all make-up days are used, districts may activate virtual learning plans.
When do Maryland schools register for next year?
Registration timelines vary by district but typically open in the spring. Check your individual school’s website or the district registration portal for the most current information.
Sources & Official Calendars
All dates sourced from official 2026–2027 school board–approved calendars. Always verify dates on your district’s official website before making travel plans.
