Visual Calendar
Official calendar scans for HCPSS Howard County Public School System. Click any image to open full-screen.
School Calendar
Download HCPSS Howard County Public School System's 2026–2027 academic calendar PDF — holidays, breaks, and key dates.
For the 2026–2027 school year, the district serves 58,000 students across 77 schools in Maryland. The school year starts August 13, 2026, with 180 instructional days planned. All dates listed below are sourced from the district's official publications. Verify with HCPSS Howard County Public School System before scheduling around them.
About the District
Details and contact information for HCPSS Howard County Public School System.
Common Questions
HCPSS Howard County Public School System Calendar 2026–2027 — important dates and answers.
The first day of school for K-12 students in HCPSS is August 24, 2026. Pre-K/RECC students begin on August 27, 2026.
Spring Break in HCPSS runs from March 22 through March 29, 2027. Schools are closed during this period.
Christmas Break is part of Winter Break and begins on December 24, 2026. Schools remain closed through January 1, 2027.
Winter Break starts December 24, 2026 and continues through January 1, 2027, with schools reopening after the break in January 2027.
Thanksgiving Break takes place on November 26 and November 27, 2026. Schools and offices are closed for the holiday.
The last scheduled day of school is June 8, 2027. This may change if inclement weather days are used.
Labor Day is observed on September 7, 2026. Schools and offices are closed.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on January 18, 2027. Schools and offices are closed.
Presidents Day is observed on February 15, 2027. Schools and offices are closed.
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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