Board of Education Approves 2027-2028 Academic Calendar

September 25th, 2026

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 24, 2026, the Howard County Board of Education approved the HCPSS 2027-2028 school year calendar. This calendar was originally developed by a committee representing students, parents, educators, community partners, and system administrators, and recommended by the Superintendent.

Priorities of the calendar committee this year included:

• Accounting for Staff Professional Days in alignment with negotiated agreements and the HCPSS Professional Learning Plan;
• Honoring major religious and cultural observances that are important to HCPSS communities;
• Reducing the number of half days for students; and
• Ending the school year early in June.

Highlights of the calendar include:

• The first day for students is Monday, Aug. 23, 2027.
• Schools will be closed for students for winter break from Dec. 24-31, 2027.
• Spring break will be from April 13-18, 2028. These four days off school were implemented to allow for additional non-state-mandated holidays and observances incorporated throughout the school year.
• The last day of school for students is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2028.
• June 7-9 & 12-14 are designated as possible inclement weather makeup days as required by the Maryland State Department of Education.

The 2027-2028 proposed calendar that was adopted by the Board can be found on the Board Community website and will be posted to the HCPSS website as soon as possible.