School calendar 2026 – 2027 — Howard County
K–12 students start August 24, 2026; Thanksgiving closes schools November 26–27; winter break runs December 24 to January 1; spring break runs March 22–29, 2027; the last scheduled day is June 8, 2027.
Verified Nov 6, 2026 Source: Howard County Public School System
School year dates
Download ICS| Dates | Event | Type |
|---|---|---|
| August 13, 2026 | First day for staff | School |
| August 24, 2026 | First day for K–12 students | School |
| August 27, 2026 | First day for pre-K and RECC students | School |
| September 7, 2026 | Labor Day — schools and offices closed | School |
| September 21, 2026 | Schools and offices closed | School |
| October 16, 2026 | Staff workday — schools closed for students | School |
| October 28, 2026 | Staff professional learning — schools closed for students | School |
| November 3, 2026 | Election Day — schools and offices closed | School |
| November 23, 2026 | Staff professional day — no school for students | School |
| November 25, 2026 | Parent-teacher conferences — schools closed for students | School |
| November 26 – 27, 2026 | Thanksgiving — schools and offices closed | Break |
| Dec 24, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 | Winter Break — schools closed | Break |
| January 18, 2027 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day — schools and offices closed | School |
| January 19, 2027 | Staff workday — schools closed for students | School |
| February 3, 2027 | Staff professional learning day — schools closed for students | School |
| February 15, 2027 | Presidents Day — schools and offices closed | School |
| March 9, 2027 | Staff workday — schools closed for students | School |
| March 22 – 29, 2027 | Spring Break — schools closed | Break |
| May 31, 2027 | Memorial Day — schools and offices closed | School |
| June 8, 2027 | Last scheduled day of school — early release | School |
| June 9 – 16, 2027 | Inclement weather make-up days, if needed | School |
School-level events (conferences, report cards) may differ from this district calendar. Check with your school for those dates.
What this calendar does not cover
The calendar published by the district applies to public schools. Private schools, charter schools and child care programs set their own dates.
Weather closure days are not known in advance. The decision is announced that morning, and make-up days can shift the end of the year.
How to use the ICS file
The download link produces an .ics file that works with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook. Each event covers the whole day, which avoids time zone shifts on import.
Questions parents ask
When does school start in Howard County?
August 13, 2026 for First day for staff, and August 24, 2026 for First day for K–12 students, and August 27, 2026 for First day for pre-K and RECC students.
When is winter break in Howard County?
Winter break runs December 24, 2026 – January 1, 2027.
When is spring break in Howard County?
Spring break runs March 22–29, 2027.
When is the last day of school in Howard County?
The published calendar does not give a last day.
Does Howard County close for Thanksgiving?
Schools are closed November 26–27, 2026.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from Howard County Public School System, checked on November 6, 2026. A district can revise its calendar during the year, so confirm with your school before booking travel.