The DCPS Calendar 2025-2026 serves as the definitive resource for parents, students, teachers, and administrators navigating the District of Columbia Public Schools academic schedule.
This comprehensive guide covers everything from first day of school to graduation dates, including holidays, professional development days, wellness breaks, and emergency weather contingencies.
Whether you’re seeking the DC public schools calendar PDF download, looking to sync digital calendar feeds, or simply need to know when spring break begins, this guide provides all essential information for successful academic year planning.
Stay organized with official DCPS term dates, grading periods, and important administrative deadlines throughout the 2025-2026 school year.
Table of Contents
Essential DCPS Calendar 2025-2026 Dates
The DCPS academic year 2025-2026 officially begins on Monday, August 25, 2025, and concludes on Tuesday, June 17, 2026.
These cornerstone dates anchor the four distinct grading quarters that structure student learning and assessment throughout the Washington DC school system.
DCPS Grading Periods and Quarter System
First Quarter (Q1): Monday, August 25 – Friday, October 10, 2025
- Duration: 47 instructional days
- Color coding: Green circle (🟢)
- Ends with parent-teacher conferences
Second Quarter (Q2): Monday, October 13 – Friday, December 19, 2025
- Duration: 68 instructional days
- Color coding: Blue circle (🔵)
- Includes Thanksgiving and winter holiday preparations
Third Quarter (Q3): Monday, January 5 – Thursday, March 13, 2026
- Duration: 68 instructional days
- Color coding: Orange circle (🟠)
- Encompasses Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day
Fourth Quarter (Q4): Monday, March 16 – Wednesday, May 28, 2026
- Duration: 74 instructional days
- Color coding: Red circle (🔴)
- Features spring break and final assessments
Weather Contingency and Make-Up Days
The DCPS 2025-2026 calendar incorporates three built-in weather make-up days: Saturday, May 31, Monday, June 2, and Tuesday, June 3, 2026. If Washington DC experiences minimal weather-related closures, these dates automatically convert to optional student enrichment activities or early dismissal opportunities.
Families planning summer vacations should consider these potential extension dates when booking travel arrangements. The DCPS administration announces weather make-up day utilization by Friday, April 25, 2026, providing adequate notice for summer planning.
DCPS Holidays and Major School Breaks
The District of Columbia Public Schools calendar 2025-2026 observes all federal holidays while incorporating additional local observances significant to the DC community.
Fall Semester Holidays
Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025
- All DCPS schools and administrative offices closed
- Staff and students enjoy extended weekend break
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Monday, October 14, 2025
- Replaces Columbus Day observance
- Professional development opportunity for cultural competency training
Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 27 – Friday, November 29, 2025
- Three-day weekend extending Thanksgiving holiday
- Schools resume regular schedule Monday, December 2, 2025
Winter Holiday Period
Winter Break: Monday, December 22, 2025 – Thursday, January 2, 2026
- Two-week extended break encompassing Christmas and New Year
- Administrative offices closed except for emergency services
- Schools reopen Friday, January 3, 2026
Spring Semester Holidays
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2026
- Federal holiday honoring civil rights leader
- Community service learning opportunities available
Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 17, 2026
- Federal holiday combining Washington and Lincoln birthdays
- Professional development day for educators
Spring Break: Monday, April 14 – Friday, April 18, 2026
- Full week break during fourth quarter
- Popular vacation period for DC families
- Classes resume Monday, April 21, 2026
Professional Development and Early Release Schedule
DCPS prioritizes continuous educator improvement through strategically scheduled professional development opportunities and family engagement sessions throughout the academic year.
Teacher Preparation Days
Pre-Service Planning: Friday, August 22 – Monday, August 25, 2025
- Classroom preparation and curriculum planning
- New teacher orientation and mentorship programs
- Technology training and resource allocation
Post-Service Wrap-Up: Wednesday, June 18 – Thursday, June 19, 2026
- Final grade submission and record keeping
- Classroom inventory and summer maintenance preparation
- Reflection sessions and next-year planning
Parent-Teacher Conference Days
Fall Conferences: Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Early dismissal at 1:00 PM for all students
- Extended conference hours until 7:00 PM
- Individual student progress discussions
Spring Conferences: Wednesday, March 12, 2026
- Early dismissal at 1:00 PM for all students
- Academic planning for fourth quarter
- High school graduation requirement reviews
Professional Development Sessions
October PD Day: Friday, October 10, 2025
- Curriculum alignment and assessment training
- Special education compliance workshops
- Technology integration strategies
January PD Day: Monday, January 27, 2026
- Mid-year data analysis and intervention planning
- Social-emotional learning implementation
- Equity and inclusion professional development
February PD Day: Thursday, February 13, 2026
- Standardized test preparation strategies
- Differentiated instruction techniques
- Parent engagement best practices
Wellness Days: Supporting Mental Health and Community
The DCPS Calendar 2025-2026 introduces dedicated wellness days as part of the collective bargaining agreement with the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU). These innovative half-day breaks prioritize student and staff mental health while strengthening community connections.
Fall Wellness Day: Friday, September 27, 2025
- Students dismissed at 12:00 PM
- Mental health resource fairs for families
- Staff wellness workshops and stress management
- Community partner engagement activities
Spring Wellness Day: Friday, March 28, 2026
- Students dismissed at 12:00 PM
- Social-emotional learning showcases
- Parent education sessions on student wellbeing
- Teacher collaboration time for wellness initiatives
Wellness days appear with heart symbols (❤️) in official DCPS calendar materials, emphasizing their focus on holistic student development beyond traditional academic metrics.
DCPS Calendar Integration and Subscription
Modern families require seamless calendar integration across multiple devices and platforms. The DCPS academic calendar 2025-2026 offers comprehensive digital subscription options ensuring automatic updates and real-time notifications.
Google Calendar Integration
- Visit the official DCPS website (dcps.dc.gov)
- Navigate to “Calendars” section
- Copy the provided iCal subscription URL
- Open Google Calendar in web browser
- Click “+” beside “Other Calendars”
- Select “From URL” option
- Paste DCPS calendar URL
- Click “Add Calendar” to complete integration
Microsoft Outlook Setup
- Launch Outlook desktop application or web version
- Access “File” menu → “Account Settings”
- Select “Internet Calendars” tab
- Click “New” to add calendar subscription
- Enter DCPS iCal URL from official website
- Configure notification preferences
- Save settings for automatic synchronization
Apple iCal (macOS) Configuration
- Open Calendar application on Mac
- Select “File” → “New Calendar Subscription”
- Enter DCPS webcal:// URL in dialog box
- Choose calendar color and notification settings
- Set refresh frequency to weekly updates
- Click “OK” to finalize subscription
Mobile Device Synchronization
iPhone/iPad Users:
- Access Settings → Calendar → Accounts
- Add Account → Other → Add Subscribed Calendar
- Enter DCPS calendar URL and save
Android Users:
- Open Calendar app → Settings → Add Calendar
- Select “From URL” and paste DCPS link
- Configure sync frequency and notifications
DCPS Calendar Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download the official DCPS calendar PDF?
The complete DCPS Calendar 2025-2026 PDF is available for download at dcps.dc.gov under the “Calendars” section. This comprehensive document includes color-coded quarter symbols, detailed holiday information, and professional development schedules in printer-friendly format.
How do I receive automatic updates for DCPS calendar changes?
Subscribe to the official DCPS calendar feed using the iCal URL provided on the district website. Enable notifications in your preferred calendar application to receive alerts for schedule modifications, emergency closures, or additional professional development days.
What are wellness days and how do they differ from regular holidays?
Wellness days are unique half-day breaks focused on mental health support, community engagement, and family resources. Unlike traditional holidays, wellness days feature structured programming including resource fairs, workshops, and community partnerships designed to support student and family wellbeing.
Can I access DCPS calendar information in languages other than English?
Yes, DCPS provides calendar translations in Spanish and other languages commonly spoken by district families. Visit the DCPS website or contact your school’s main office for translated calendar materials and important date notifications.
Who should I contact for specific calendar questions or accommodation requests?
For calendar-related inquiries, accommodations, or clarifications, contact:
DCPS Office of Family and Public Engagement
Email: calendar@dcps.dc.gov
Phone: (202) 442-5885
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
How does DCPS communicate emergency schedule changes?
DCPS utilizes multiple communication channels for emergency announcements:
Official DCPS website updates
Automated phone calls to families
Text message alerts (opt-in required)
Social media notifications (@dcpublicschools)
Local news media partnerships
Planning Strategies for Families
Vacation Planning Around Academic Calendar
Strategic vacation planning maximizes family time while avoiding conflicts with important academic milestones:
Optimal Vacation Windows:
- Thanksgiving Break: November 27-29, 2025
- Winter Break: December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026
- Spring Break: April 14-18, 2026
- Post-graduation period: After June 17, 2026
Avoid Planning During:
- First and last weeks of each quarter
- Parent-teacher conference periods
- Standardized testing windows (typically March-May)
- Professional development days requiring student makeup work
Academic Milestone Preparation
Back-to-School Preparation Timeline:
- Early August: School supply shopping and uniform fittings
- Mid-August: Schedule pickup and classroom visits
- Week of August 18: Final preparations and early bedtime routines
- Monday, August 25: First day excitement and documentation
End-of-Year Planning:
- Late May: Graduation ceremony preparations
- Early June: Final project submissions and portfolio reviews
- Mid-June: Grade report reviews and summer program registration
- Late June: Celebration of academic achievements
Maximizing Your DCPS Calendar Experience
The DCPS Calendar 2025-2026 serves as more than a simple schedule—it’s a comprehensive planning tool designed to support student success, family engagement, and community connection throughout the Washington DC academic year.
Stay connected with official DCPS communications, utilize the quarter-based color coding system, and take advantage of make-up day flexibility when planning family activities. The 2025-2026 academic year promises exciting educational opportunities, community partnerships, and student achievement milestones worth celebrating.
For the most current information and any last-minute updates, bookmark dcps.dc.gov and enable calendar notifications across all your devices. Your active engagement with the DCPS calendar system ensures no important dates, opportunities, or celebrations are missed throughout this dynamic academic year.
