For the 2026–2027 school year, the district serves 31,000 students across 65 schools in Iowa. Classes begin August 24, 2026 and end June 3, 2027, with 180 instructional days planned. All dates listed below are sourced from the district's official publications. Verify with Des Moines Public Schools before scheduling around them.
Visual Calendar
Official Calendar Images
Official calendar scans for Des Moines Public Schools. Click any page to open the full-size image.
School Calendar
Interactive Calendar
Des Moines Public Schools's 2026–2027 academic calendar — holidays, breaks, and key dates.
Month by Month Calendar
About the District
School Information
Details and contact information for Des Moines Public Schools DMPS.
Sources and Checks
Where these dates come from
How the 2026–2027 Des Moines Public Schools calendar on this page was compiled and what to re-check before you rely on it.
- ✓District publication. Dates are taken from the calendar Des Moines Public Schools published for 2026–2027, shown as images on this page.
- ✓Official website. Cross-checked against dmschools.org.
- ✓Board-approved version is used where the district marks one.
- ✓First and last day match the published calendar.
- ✓Breaks and holidays are listed with their full date ranges.
- ✓Teacher / no-school days are included where the district lists them.
- ✓Changes happen. Districts amend calendars mid-year — confirm with Des Moines Public Schools before booking around a date.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines Public Schools Calendar 2026–2027 — important dates and answers.
The first day of school for K-12 students in Des Moines Public Schools is August 24, 2026. Preschool begins on September 2, 2026.
Spring Break for Des Moines Public Schools is scheduled from March 15 through March 19, 2027.
Christmas Break is part of Winter Break, which runs from December 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027.
Winter Break in Des Moines Public Schools is from December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027.
Thanksgiving Break is scheduled for November 26 and November 27, 2026.
The last day of school for K-12 students is June 3, 2027, with early dismissal. The last day of preschool is June 2, 2027.
Labor Day (No Classes) is observed on September 7, 2026.
MLK Jr. Day (No Classes) will be observed on January 18, 2027.
Yes, PD Days (No Classes) are scheduled on September 18, 2026; October 22-23, 2026; November 2, 2026; January 14-15, 2027; February 15, 2027; March 11-12, 2027; and April 26, 2027.
Memorial Day (No Classes) is on May 31, 2027.
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Recently Updated Calendars
Other Iowa school district calendars — recently added or updated.