The AACPS calendar for 2025-2026 spans a full instructional year designed to maximize student learning opportunities while accommodating family needs and community traditions. This comprehensive school year calendar provides Maryland families with essential planning information for the upcoming academic year.
Important School Year Dates:
- First Day of School for Students: Monday, August 25, 2025
- Last Day of School: Tuesday, June 17, 2026
- Total Instructional Days: 180 days (subject to makeup day adjustments)
- Teacher Professional Development: Begins week of Monday, August 18, 2025
The AACPS school district calendar incorporates strategic break periods, including an extended three-day Thanksgiving holiday, comprehensive winter recess, and spring vacation in April. This academic calendar balances rigorous instruction with necessary rest periods, supporting both student achievement and family time.
Professional development opportunities for educators occur throughout the school year, with designated early dismissal days and staff planning periods. The calendar clearly identifies testing windows, graduation ceremonies, and makeup day provisions to ensure families can plan accordingly.
Table of Contents
Official AACPS Calendar 2025-2026 PDF Download & Digital Integration
Access the official Anne Arundel County Schools calendar through multiple convenient formats. The district provides downloadable PDF versions featuring monthly layouts, complete with staff workdays, holiday observances, and the latest revision information.
Digital Calendar Options:
- Printable PDF Calendar: Available from the AACPS district calendar hub
- ICS Feed Integration: Compatible with Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar
- Mobile-Friendly Formats: Optimized for smartphones and tablets
- Automatic Updates: Subscription feeds reflect real-time changes and makeup day announcements
The official calendar PDF includes comprehensive details about instructional days, professional development periods, and emergency makeup provisions. Families should bookmark the district calendar page and subscribe to notification alerts for immediate updates regarding weather-related closures or schedule modifications.
Academic Year Structure: Semester Breakdown and Marking Periods
First Semester (Fall 2025)
Duration: Monday, August 25, 2025 – Friday, December 19, 2025
The fall semester encompasses the traditional back-to-school period through winter break. This semester includes:
- Labor Day Holiday: Monday, September 2, 2025
- Rosh Hashanah Observance: Monday, September 15, 2025
- Yom Kippur Observance: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
- Thanksgiving Break: Thursday, November 27 – Friday, November 28, 2025
- Winter Break Begins: Friday, December 19, 2025 (after dismissal)
Second Semester (Spring 2026)
Duration: Monday, January 6, 2026 – Tuesday, June 17, 2026
The spring semester resumes after winter holidays and continues through graduation season:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2026
- Presidents Day: Monday, February 17, 2026
- Spring Break: Monday, April 13 – Friday, April 17, 2026
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2026
- Final Examinations: Scheduled during final weeks of May 2026
- Graduation Windows: Late May through early June 2026
Monthly Academic Calendar Breakdown: August 2025 – June 2026
August 2025: New School Year Launch
- Monday, August 18, 2025: Teacher professional development begins
- Monday, August 25, 2025: First day of instruction for all students
- Focus Areas: Classroom setup, orientation activities, assessment baseline establishment
September 2025: Fall Routine Establishment
- Monday, September 2, 2025: Labor Day holiday (no school)
- Mid-September: Parent conference scheduling begins
- Late September: Fall extracurricular activities launch
October 2025: Academic Momentum Building
- Regular instruction continues across all grade levels
- Parent-teacher conferences scheduled at individual schools
- Fall semester midterm assessments conducted
- Homecoming activities and fall festivals
November 2025: Thanksgiving Preparation Period
- Thursday, November 27 – Friday, November 28, 2025: Thanksgiving break
- Parent conferences continue at elementary and middle school levels
- First semester academic progress reports distributed
December 2025: Winter Break Preparation
- Friday, December 19, 2025: Winter break begins after regular dismissal
- Final examinations for high school students
- Holiday celebrations and community service projects
- First semester grade completion
January 2026: Second Semester Commencement
- Monday, January 6, 2026: Classes resume after winter break
- Monday, January 20, 2026: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)
- New semester schedules implemented
- Spring semester goal setting and academic planning
February 2026: Academic Acceleration Period
- Monday, February 17, 2026: Presidents Day holiday
- Midterm examinations and progress assessments
- High school course selection for following year
- Winter sports championships and competitions
March 2026: Spring Preparation Phase
- Regular instruction with emphasis on standardized test preparation
- Spring extracurricular activity registration
- College and career planning intensifies for high school students
- Parent engagement activities increase
April 2026: Spring Break and Assessment Period
- Monday, April 13 – Friday, April 17, 2026: Spring vacation
- State assessment testing windows
- Spring sports seasons peak
- Advanced Placement examination preparation
May 2026: Academic Year Culmination
- Monday, May 26, 2026: Memorial Day holiday
- Final examinations for all grade levels
- Senior graduation preparation activities
- Year-end academic celebrations and awards ceremonies
June 2026: School Year Completion
- Tuesday, June 17, 2026: Last day of school for students
- Graduation ceremonies throughout the month
- Final grade reporting and transcript completion
- Summer program registration and planning
Religious Holidays and Cultural Observances in AACPS
Anne Arundel County Public Schools recognizes the diverse religious and cultural backgrounds of its student population. The district calendar accommodates major religious observances while maintaining instructional continuity.
Recognized Religious Observances:
- Rosh Hashanah: Monday, September 15, 2025
- Yom Kippur: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
- Eid al-Fitr: Dates vary based on lunar calendar
- Eid al-Adha: Dates vary based on lunar calendar
- Diwali: Cultural recognition and awareness activities
- Christmas: Included in winter break period
- Easter: Often coincides with spring break
Families observing religious holidays not included in the official calendar should consult the student absence policy. The district supports religious observance while encouraging communication with teachers regarding makeup work and missed instructional time.
School Daily Schedules, Bell Times, and A/B Day Rotations
Elementary School Operations
Elementary schools maintain consistent daily schedules with slight variations based on individual school needs. Most elementary schools operate from approximately 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, though families should confirm specific times with their child’s school office.
Middle School A/B Day Scheduling
Middle schools implement alternating day schedules (A Days and B Days) to accommodate expanded course offerings and deeper subject exploration. This rotation allows students to take eight courses while maintaining manageable daily schedules.
A/B Schedule Benefits:
- Extended class periods for project-based learning
- Reduced daily course load stress
- Enhanced teacher-student interaction time
- Flexibility for specialized programs and electives
High School Block Scheduling
High schools utilize sophisticated A/B block schedules enabling students to pursue diverse academic pathways, including Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education, and dual enrollment opportunities.
High School Schedule Features:
- 90-minute block periods for in-depth learning
- Semester and year-long course options
- Integration of career preparation programs
- College-level course opportunities
Early Dismissal Days and Professional Development
The AACPS calendar designates specific early dismissal days throughout the academic year to support ongoing teacher professional development and collaborative planning. These abbreviated instructional days ensure educators receive necessary training while minimizing disruption to student learning.
Early Dismissal Schedule:
- Students dismissed approximately 2 hours earlier than normal
- Transportation provided at adjusted times
- After-school programs and activities may be affected
- Advance notification provided to families through school communications
Professional development focuses on curriculum enhancement, instructional technology integration, student assessment strategies, and collaborative teaching methodologies. These investments in educator growth directly benefit student learning outcomes and academic achievement.
Weather-Related Closures and Emergency Makeup Days
Anne Arundel County’s geographic location occasionally requires school closures due to inclement weather conditions, including snow, ice, flooding, or severe storms. The district maintains comprehensive emergency procedures to ensure student and staff safety while minimizing instructional disruption.
Emergency Communication Channels:
- AACPS official website alerts and notifications
- Automated phone calls to registered family numbers
- Social media updates on official district accounts
- Local television and radio station partnerships
- Email notifications for subscribed families
The academic calendar includes designated makeup days to compensate for emergency closures. If weather-related closures exceed the allocated makeup days, additional days may be added to the school year or alternative instructional methods implemented.
Makeup Day Provisions:
- Built-in flexibility within the 180-day requirement
- Potential extension of the school year if necessary
- Remote learning options when feasible
- Priority given to maintaining graduation schedule integrity
Technology Integration: Adding AACPS Calendar to Digital Platforms
Modern families rely on digital calendar integration to manage complex schedules effectively. AACPS provides multiple technological solutions for seamless calendar synchronization across various platforms and devices.
Google Calendar Integration
- Access the official AACPS calendar ICS feed URL
- Open Google Calendar and navigate to “Other calendars”
- Select “From URL” and paste the AACPS ICS link
- Configure notification preferences and sharing settings
- Automatic updates reflect schedule changes and emergency modifications
Microsoft Outlook Synchronization
- Launch Outlook and access the calendar view
- Select “Add Calendar” and choose “Subscribe from Web”
- Enter the AACPS ICS feed URL
- Customize display preferences and notification settings
- Enable automatic refresh for real-time updates
Apple Calendar Setup
- Open Apple Calendar application
- Select “File” menu and choose “New Calendar Subscription”
- Input the district-provided ICS URL
- Configure refresh interval and alert preferences
- Sync across all Apple devices using iCloud integration
Mobile Device Optimization
The AACPS calendar system supports smartphone and tablet integration, enabling families to receive push notifications about important dates, emergency closures, and schedule modifications directly on their mobile devices.
Family Support Services and Childcare Coordination
School-Age Child Care (SACC) Programs
AACPS partners with local organizations to provide comprehensive before and after-school care programs aligned with the academic calendar. SACC services operate during regular school days and may offer limited availability during scheduled breaks.
SACC Program Features:
- Before-school care starting as early as 6:30 AM
- After-school supervision until 6:00 PM
- Homework assistance and recreational activities
- Snack provision and outdoor play opportunities
- Professional staff training and background screening
Holiday and Break Care Options
During scheduled school breaks, various community organizations and private providers offer day camp programs and extended childcare services. Families should research and register for these services well in advance, as popular programs fill quickly.
Special Needs Support Services
The district coordinates with families requiring specialized childcare arrangements for students with disabilities or medical needs. Individual Education Plan (IEP) teams work collaboratively to ensure appropriate care during school breaks and emergency closures.
Frequently Asked Questions: AACPS Calendar 2025-2026
When does the 2025-2026 school year begin for Anne Arundel County students?
The first day of instruction is Monday, August 25, 2025. Teacher professional development begins the previous week on Monday, August 18, 2025.
What is the official last day of school for AACPS in 2026?
The scheduled final day of instruction is Tuesday, June 17, 2026. This date may be extended if emergency makeup days are required due to weather-related closures.
Where can families download the official AACPS 2025-2026 calendar PDF?
The complete calendar PDF is available through the district’s official website calendar hub. The document includes monthly views, important dates, and professional development schedules.
How can parents add the AACPS calendar to their personal digital calendars?
Use the district-provided ICS feed URL to subscribe to automatic calendar updates in Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar applications.
Does Anne Arundel County Public Schools observe major religious holidays?
Yes, the calendar includes recognition of significant religious observances including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and various cultural celebrations. The district absence policy provides guidance for additional religious observances.
How does AACPS handle snow days and emergency school closures?
The district announces closures through multiple communication channels and has designated makeup days built into the calendar. Additional makeup days may be added if necessary to meet state requirements.
Are there early dismissal days scheduled during the 2025-2026 school year?
Yes, the calendar includes several early dismissal days for teacher professional development and parent conference activities. Families receive advance notification of these schedule changes.
When is spring break scheduled for AACPS in 2026?
Spring vacation is scheduled for Monday, April 13 through Friday, April 17, 2026, providing families with a full week for travel and relaxation.
Stay Connected: AACPS Communication and Updates
Official District Communication Channels
- AACPS Official Website: Primary source for calendar updates and emergency notifications
- Social Media Platforms: Follow official AACPS accounts for real-time updates and community news
- Email Alert System: Subscribe to automated notifications for closures and important announcements
- Mobile Applications: Download district-approved apps for calendar access and emergency alerts
School-Level Communication
Individual schools supplement district-wide communications with building-specific information about events, activities, and schedule modifications. Families should maintain updated contact information with their child’s school office to ensure receipt of all important communications.
Emergency Notification Procedures
In case of emergency situations requiring immediate school closure or schedule changes, AACPS activates a comprehensive communication network including automated phone calls, email alerts, website updates, and social media notifications. Families are encouraged to maintain current emergency contact information and subscribe to multiple communication channels for redundancy.
The Anne Arundel County Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026 represents a carefully planned academic year designed to support student success, family engagement, and community involvement. By staying informed about important dates and maintaining open communication with schools, families can maximize their children’s educational experience throughout the academic year.
