Planning your family’s year just got easier with the comprehensive FWISD Calendar 2025-2026.
The FWISD Calendar 2025-2026 provides the structure and predictability that families, students, and educators need for successful academic planning.
With clear start and end dates, well-planned breaks, and built-in flexibility for professional development and weather contingencies, Fort Worth ISD demonstrates its commitment to educational excellence.
Whether you’re a parent coordinating childcare, a student planning ahead, or an educator preparing lesson plans, this detailed guide provides all the essential dates for Fort Worth Independent School District’s upcoming academic year.
From the first day of school to spring break dates, professional development days to early release schedules, the FWISD Calendar 2025-2026 ensures you never miss an important deadline.
Download the printable PDF, sync with Google Calendar, or subscribe to automatic updates – we’ve got you covered with multiple access options.
Table of Contents
Overview of FWISD Calendar 2025-2026
Fort Worth ISD offers families two distinct calendar options for the 2025-2026 school year: the Traditional Calendar and the Early College High School Calendar.
Both calendars meet Texas Education Agency requirements for instructional time, providing 77,850 minutes of instruction across approximately 180 student attendance days.
The Traditional Calendar follows a conventional K-12 schedule with standard fall, winter, and spring breaks. This option works best for families seeking a typical academic year structure with summer vacation from late May through early August.
The Early College High School Calendar is designed specifically for juniors and seniors enrolled in dual-credit programs. This calendar includes a required summer session from Monday, June 1, 2026, through Wednesday, July 2, 2026, allowing students to earn college credits while completing high school requirements.
Both calendar options include district-wide professional development days, teacher planning periods, and campus-specific flex days to ensure educators receive adequate preparation time without compromising student instruction.
Key Features of FWISD Calendar 2025-2026:
- 180 student instructional days
- 8 professional development days for teachers
- Multiple early release days aligned with grading periods
- Weather makeup days built into the schedule
- Digital calendar integration options
- Campus-specific scheduling flexibility
Essential Start and End Dates for FWISD 2025-2026
Mark your calendars with these critical dates from the FWISD Calendar 2025-2026:
First Day of School
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 – Students begin classes for both Traditional and Early College calendars
Teacher Preparation Days
- Monday, August 11, 2025 – Teacher workday before student arrival
- Monday, January 5, 2026 – Post-winter break teacher planning day
- Friday, May 21, 2026 – Final teacher workday
Last Day of School
- Traditional Calendar: Wednesday, May 21, 2026
- Early College High School: Wednesday, May 7, 2026
Parent-Teacher Conference Days
- Thursday, August 14, 2025 and Friday, August 15, 2025 – Fall conferences
- Tuesday, December 9, 2025 and Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – Winter conferences
Graduation Dates
- Early College High School: Thursday, May 15, 2026
- Traditional High Schools: Tuesday, May 20, 2026
Weather Makeup Days
The FWISD Calendar 2025-2026 includes built-in flexibility with designated makeup days:
- Monday, February 16, 2026 – Primary weather makeup day
- Monday, April 13, 2026 – Secondary weather makeup day
These strategically placed dates ensure that any weather-related closures don’t extend the school year beyond the planned end date.
FWISD Holidays, Breaks, and Early Release Schedule 2025-2026
Major Holidays and Breaks
Labor Day Holiday: Monday, September 1, 2025 – No school for students and staff
Fall Break: Thursday, October 10, 2025 – Student holiday (teacher professional development day)
Thanksgiving Break: Monday, November 24, 2025 through Friday, November 28, 2025 – Extended holiday break
Winter Break: Monday, December 22, 2025 through Sunday, January 5, 2026
- Early dismissal at 12:00 PM on Friday, December 19, 2025
- Classes resume Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19, 2026 – Federal holiday observance
Spring Break: Monday, March 15, 2026 through Friday, March 19, 2026
Memorial Day Observance: Monday, May 25, 2026 – (Note: This falls after the traditional calendar ends)
Early Release Days
Students are dismissed two hours early on the following dates to accommodate teacher planning and grading:
- Thursday, October 10, 2025 – End of first six-week grading period
- Thursday, December 19, 2025 – Pre-winter break early release
- Thursday, February 13, 2026 – Mid-year grading period
- Wednesday, April 16, 2026 – Spring grading period
- Wednesday, May 14, 2026 – Final grading period
Early release schedules vary by campus level:
- Elementary Schools: Dismiss at 1:10 PM
- Middle Schools: Dismiss at 2:30 PM
- High Schools: Dismiss at 1:45 PM
Bad Weather Policy
When Fort Worth ISD closes schools due to inclement weather, the district utilizes the pre-scheduled makeup days. If additional makeup days are needed beyond February 16 and April 13, the school board may extend the academic year, but typically not beyond Friday, June 1, 2026.
Professional Development and Teacher Planning Days
The FWISD Calendar 2025-2026 prioritizes educator professional growth with eight dedicated non-student days:
District-Wide Professional Development Days
- Monday, August 11, 2025 – Pre-school year preparation
- Thursday, October 9, 2025 – Fall semester mid-point training
- Monday, January 5, 2026 – Post-winter break planning
- Monday, February 16, 2026 – Winter professional development
- Monday, April 13, 2026 – Spring semester preparation
- Friday, May 21, 2026 – End-of-year wrap-up
Campus Flex Days
- Friday, December 19, 2025 – Campus-specific professional learning
- Wednesday, March 12, 2026 – Site-based staff development
These professional development days address curriculum updates, student engagement strategies, data analysis training, and technology integration. The strategic placement of these days throughout the academic year ensures continuous educator growth while maintaining instructional momentum.
What Happens on Professional Development Days?
During district-wide PD days, FWISD educators participate in:
- Curriculum alignment workshops
- Assessment and grading training
- Student intervention strategies
- Technology integration sessions
- Campus safety and compliance updates
Campus flex days allow individual schools to tailor professional learning to their specific student populations and community needs.
Comparing Traditional vs Early College High School Calendars
| Calendar Feature | Traditional Calendar | Early College High School |
|---|---|---|
| First Day | Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | Tuesday, August 12, 2025 |
| Last Day | Wednesday, May 21, 2026 | Wednesday, May 7, 2026 |
| Summer Session | None required | Monday, June 1 – Wednesday, July 2, 2026 |
| Winter Break | December 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026 | December 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026 |
| Spring Break | March 15-19, 2026 | March 15-19, 2026 |
| Graduation | Tuesday, May 20, 2026 | Thursday, May 15, 2026 |
| Dual-Credit Options | Summer enrollment only | Integrated year-round |
| Best For | K-12 students, traditional pace | College-bound juniors/seniors |
Choosing the Right FWISD Calendar
Traditional Calendar works best for:
- Students in grades K-11
- Families preferring conventional summer vacation
- Students not pursuing dual-credit coursework
- Families with multiple children at different grade levels
Early College High School Calendar is ideal for:
- High school juniors and seniors
- Students committed to earning college credit
- Families supporting accelerated academic pathways
- Students planning immediate post-secondary enrollment
Employee Payroll and Benefits Information
Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, FWISD transitions all employee contracts to align with the academic calendar year (August through July) rather than the traditional calendar year.
Key Payroll Dates:
- Contract Year Begins: Thursday, August 1, 2025
- First Paycheck: Friday, August 15, 2025
- Final Paycheck of Cycle: Tuesday, July 15, 2026
Benefits Enrollment:
- Enrollment Window: Tuesday, July 15 – Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Coverage Begins: Friday, August 1, 2025
This alignment simplifies leave accrual tracking, benefit calculations, and professional development scheduling for all FWISD employees.
How to Access Your FWISD Calendar 2025-2026
Download Options:
PDF Download
- Visit the official FWISD website calendar page
- Select “Traditional Calendar PDF” or “Early College Calendar PDF”
- Choose landscape orientation for optimal printing
- Save to your device for offline access
Google Calendar Integration
- Navigate to the FWISD calendar webpage
- Click the “+ Google Calendar” button
- Grant permission when prompted
- All dates automatically sync to your Google account
- Receive notifications for upcoming events and changes
iCal Subscription
- Copy the iCal link from the FWISD calendar page
- Open your preferred calendar app (Apple Calendar, Outlook, etc.)
- Select “Subscribe to Calendar” or “Add Calendar”
- Paste the iCal URL
- Updates sync automatically when the district makes changes
Mobile Access Bookmark the FWISD calendar page on your smartphone’s home screen for quick access. Enable push notifications to receive real-time alerts about schedule changes, weather closures, or important announcements.
Printing Tips:
- Use landscape orientation for better readability
- Select “Fit to Page” to ensure all information prints
- Consider printing multiple copies for family members, babysitters, and coaches
- Highlight important dates specific to your child’s grade level or activities
Frequently Asked Questions About FWISD Calendar 2025-2026
When does Fort Worth ISD start school in August 2025?
The first day of school for all FWISD students is Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Teachers report on Monday, August 11, 2025, for preparation activities.
What are the exact winter break dates for FWISD?
Winter break begins with early dismissal on Friday, December 19, 2025, and students return to full-day classes on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Teachers have a planning day on Monday, January 5, 2026.
How many instructional days does FWISD provide?
FWISD exceeds Texas state requirements with 77,850 instructional minutes, equivalent to approximately 180 student attendance days. This ensures compliance with all academic standards.
Can I receive automatic calendar updates?
Yes! Subscribe to the FWISD calendar through Google Calendar or iCal for automatic updates. When the district makes schedule changes, your calendar updates automatically.
What happens during teacher professional development days?
Students do not attend school on the eight designated professional development days. Teachers participate in training, curriculum planning, and campus-based professional learning activities.
How does FWISD handle weather-related school closures?
The district uses built-in makeup days (February 16 and April 13, 2026) to compensate for weather closures. Additional makeup days may extend the school year if necessary, but typically not beyond June 1.
Where can I find my specific campus calendar?
Individual campus calendars with bell schedules, testing dates, and school-specific events are available on each school’s webpage under “Campus Calendar” or “Important Dates.”
Who should follow the Early College High School calendar?
The Early College calendar is designed for juniors and seniors enrolled in dual-credit programs who commit to summer session attendance from June 1 through July 2, 2026.
Are there different start times for different school levels?
Yes! For 2025-2026, FWISD implements new start times:
Elementary Schools: 7:40 AM – 3:10 PM
Middle Schools: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
High Schools: 8:15 AM – 3:45 PM
Early College High Schools: Times vary by campus
How do I stay informed about calendar changes?
Subscribe to FWISD calendar alerts, follow the district’s official social media accounts, and bookmark the calendar webpage. The district communicates changes through multiple channels including email, text alerts, and website updates.
