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.
Visual Calendar
Official Calendar Images
Official calendar scans for HCPSS Howard County Public School System. Click any page to open the full-size image.
School Calendar
Interactive Calendar
HCPSS Howard County Public School System's 2026–2027 academic calendar — holidays, breaks, and key dates.
Month by Month Calendar
About the District
School Information
Details and contact information for HCPSS Howard County Public School System.
Sources and Checks
Where these dates come from
How the 2026–2027 HCPSS Howard County Public School System calendar on this page was compiled and what to re-check before you rely on it.
- ✓District publication. Dates are taken from the calendar HCPSS Howard County Public School System published for 2026–2027, shown as images on this page.
- ✓Official website. Cross-checked against hcpss.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 HCPSS Howard County Public School System before booking around a date.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked 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.
Explore More
Recently Updated Calendars
Other Maryland school district calendars — recently added or updated.