CMS Calendar 2025-2026 Guide for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Whether you’re a parent seeking CMS calendar dates, a student tracking exam schedules, or a teacher planning professional development, this CMS calendar 2025-2026 resource provides everything you need for successful school year planning.

Our detailed Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools calendar breakdown includes semester schedules, holiday dates, teacher workdays, early release information, and downloadable calendar options. Stay organized with important CMS school district dates, from the first day of classes through graduation ceremonies.

CMS Academic Calendar 2025-2026: Complete Year Overview

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools calendar 2025-2026 academic year follows a traditional two-semester structure designed to maximize student learning while providing adequate breaks for rest and family time.

This CMS school year calendar spans from late August through mid-May, encompassing 185 instructional days and 215 total calendar days.

Fall Semester 2025:

• First Day: Monday, August 25, 2025
• Last Day: Wednesday, December 18, 2025

Spring Semester 2026:

• First Day: Monday, January 6, 2026
• Last Day: Tuesday, May 20, 2026

The CMS academic calendar 2025-2026 includes strategic breaks throughout the year: a week-long fall break in October, extended winter holidays, and spring break in April. These Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools calendar dates align with North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requirements while accommodating local community needs.

1. Teachers have workdays from Monday, August 18 to Friday, August 22, 2025.
2. The first day of school is Monday, August 25, 2025.
3. Labor Day is observed as a holiday on Monday, September 1, 2025.
4. There is a teacher workday on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
5. There is another teacher workday on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
6. There is a teacher workday on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
7. The first quarter ends on Friday, October 31, 2025.
8. There is a teacher workday on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
9. Veterans Day is observed as a holiday on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
10. There is a teacher workday on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
11. Thanksgiving Break is observed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2025.
12. Winter Break runs from Monday, December 22, 2025 to Friday, January 2, 2026.
13. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a holiday on Monday, January 19, 2026.
14. The second quarter ends on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
15. There is a teacher workday on Friday, January 23, 2026.
16. There is a teacher workday on Monday, February 16, 2026.
17. There are teacher workdays on Tuesday, March 3 and Friday, March 20, 2026.
18. The third quarter ends on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
19. There is a teacher workday on Friday, April 3, 2026.
20. CMS Spring Break 2026 is observed from Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 10, 2026.
21. Memorial Day is observed as a holiday on Monday, May 25, 2026.
22. The fourth quarter ends on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
23. Teacher workdays are scheduled for Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12, 2026.

Professional development opportunities are built into the CMS school calendar, with dedicated teacher workdays before each semester and strategic planning days throughout the year. Parents can access the complete CMS calendar PDF download from the district website or sync digital versions with popular calendar applications.

Essential Start and End Dates for CMS Schools

Understanding key CMS school calendar dates helps families plan vacations, childcare arrangements, and academic preparation effectively.

Critical CMS Calendar 2025-2026 Dates:

• Teacher Orientation & Planning: Thursday, August 21 – Friday, August 22, 2025
• Student First Day: Monday, August 25, 2025
• Fall Semester Ends: Wednesday, December 18, 2025
• Spring Semester Begins: Monday, January 6, 2026
• Final Day of School: Tuesday, May 20, 2026

These Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools calendar milestones answer common parent questions like “When does CMS school start?” and “What’s the last day of CMS school?” Mark these essential dates in your family planner or sync with the official CMS school district calendar.

The CMS academic year 2025-2026 schedule provides consistency across all district schools, from elementary through high school levels. Whether your student attends traditional calendar schools or year-round programs, these core dates remain standard throughout the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools system.

CMS Holiday Schedule and Break Calendar 2025-2026

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools provides well-planned breaks throughout the academic year, giving students and families time to recharge while maintaining educational momentum.

Fall Break 2025

• Monday, October 13 – Friday, October 17, 2025
• Full week off for students and staff

Thanksgiving Break

• Wednesday, November 26 – Friday, November 28, 2025
• Extended weekend break

Winter Holiday Break

• Monday, December 22, 2025 – Friday, January 3, 2026
• Two-week winter vacation period

Spring Break 2026

• Monday, April 6 – Friday, April 10, 2026
• Week-long spring vacation

Additional CMS School Holidays:

• Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2026
• Presidents Day: Monday, February 17, 2026
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2026

The CMS holiday calendar 2025-2026 also includes early release days before parent-teacher conferences, typically occurring on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, and Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Students dismiss two hours early on these days to allow staff preparation time.

Families planning vacations should coordinate with these Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools holiday dates to avoid conflicts with instructional time. The district’s makeup day policy reserves Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22, 2026, for weather-related closures.

Teacher Professional Development and Workdays

The CMS calendar 2025-2026 incorporates strategic professional development opportunities to enhance educational quality across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district.

Pre-School Year Preparation

• Thursday, August 21, 2025: New teacher orientation
• Friday, August 22, 2025: All staff planning day

Fall Semester Development

• Monday, October 13, 2025: Curriculum planning workday
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025: Professional development focus
• Monday, November 3, 2025: District-wide training day

Spring Semester Enhancement

• Friday, January 3, 2026: Post-holiday planning session
• Friday, March 14, 2026: Mid-year professional development
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026: Conference preparation (early release)

These CMS professional development days cover critical areas including literacy instruction, educational technology integration, equity training, and state standards implementation. While students enjoy these days off, teachers engage in collaborative planning, data analysis, and skill enhancement activities.

Parents should note these Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools workdays when arranging childcare or scheduling family activities. The CMS school calendar PDF clearly marks all non-instructional days for easy planning reference.

How to Access and Download Your CMS School Calendar

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools provides multiple convenient ways to access the official CMS calendar 2025-2026 for optimal family planning.

Digital Access Options:

Official CMS Website: Visit www.cmsk12.org and navigate to the “Calendar” section for the most current CMS school calendar PDF download. The interactive online calendar allows filtering by school level and event type.

Mobile and Tablet Access: Download the official CMS mobile app for smartphone calendar integration, push notifications for weather delays, and real-time CMS calendar updates.

Calendar Synchronization:

• Google Calendar: Click “Add to Google Calendar” for automatic sync
• Apple Calendar: Use “Subscribe to Calendar” function
• Outlook: Import iCal format for Microsoft calendar integration

Print-Friendly Formats: Download the CMS academic calendar PDF for printing and posting at home. The document includes color-coding for holidays, breaks, and important dates.

Email Notifications: Subscribe to CMS calendar alerts for automatic reminders about upcoming breaks, early release days, and schedule changes due to inclement weather.

Regular calendar checks ensure you receive the latest Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools updates, especially during winter months when weather-related modifications may occur.

Key Changes in CMS Calendar 2025-2026

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools calendar 2025-2026 includes several important modifications compared to the previous academic year, designed to enhance student learning and family planning.

Notable Calendar Adjustments:

Earlier Start Date: The first day of school moved from Monday, August 28 to Monday, August 25, 2025, providing additional instructional time before holiday breaks.

Extended Fall Break: Fall break now spans a full week (October 13-17) instead of scattered days, allowing families extended vacation opportunities.

Revised Professional Development: Teacher workdays redistributed throughout the year for better spacing, with additional focus on mid-year curriculum adjustments.

Winter Break Extension: Winter holidays extended through Friday, January 3, 2026, providing families extra time together during the season.

Spring Calendar Consistency: Spring break maintains traditional timing (April 6-10) to align with regional tourism and family travel patterns.

These CMS school district calendar improvements reflect community feedback and educational best practices. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools board considered parent surveys, teacher input, and student achievement data when finalizing these dates.

Families should update their planning documents with these revised CMS calendar dates to avoid scheduling conflicts with the new academic rhythm.

Essential Planning Tips for CMS Families

Maximize your family’s success with these proven strategies for navigating the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools calendar effectively.

Academic Planning Strategies:

Create a Master Family Calendar: Combine the CMS school calendar with family activities, work schedules, and extracurricular commitments for comprehensive planning.

Set Break Reminders: Add calendar alerts one week before each CMS break to prepare children for schedule changes and plan family activities.

Coordinate Childcare: Note all teacher workdays and early release dates to arrange appropriate supervision for working parents.

Plan Around Testing: Avoid scheduling family trips during state testing windows (typically late April through May) to support student success.

Budget for School Events: Mark picture days, fundraisers, and special events in your calendar with budget reminders for associated costs.

Weather Contingency Planning: Keep makeup dates available in your schedule and establish backup childcare for unexpected closures.

Communication Setup: Enable CMS alert notifications and follow your school’s communication channels for real-time updates.

These Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools planning tips help families stay organized while supporting their student’s educational journey throughout the academic year.

Frequently Asked Questions About CMS Calendar 2025-2026

Stay connected with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools through official channels for the most current calendar information and any weather-related adjustments throughout the academic year.