Gwinnett County School Calendar 2025-2026: Important Dates

August 1, 2025

The Gwinnett County School calendar for 2025-2026 provides essential information for parents, students, and educators across Georgia’s largest school district.

This comprehensive guide covers all critical dates, holiday breaks, professional development days, and digital learning opportunities to help you stay organized throughout the academic year.

Gwinnett County School Important Dates for 2025-2026

The Gwinnett County school district operates on a traditional academic calendar, with students enjoying a comprehensive summer break from late May through early August.

Teachers typically begin pre-planning activities the week before students return, ensuring classrooms are prepared for the new academic year.

Independence Day is observed as a systemwide holiday on Friday, July 4, 2025.
The administrative staff meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Required pre-planning and staff development days take place on Thursday, July 24, and Friday, July 25, 2025.
Additional required pre-planning and staff development days continue from Monday, July 28, to Thursday, July 31, 2025.
The final required pre-planning and staff development day occurs on Friday, August 1, 2025.
The first day of school for students is on Monday, August 4, 2025.
Labor Day is observed as a systemwide holiday on Monday, September 1, 2025.
The first Digital Learning Day is scheduled for Friday, September 19, 2025.
Fall Break, which is a school holiday, takes place from Thursday, October 9, to Monday, October 13, 2025.
Early release days for elementary and middle school students occur on Wednesday, October 22, and Thursday, October 23, 2025.
The second Digital Learning Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Thanksgiving Break, a school holiday, is observed from Monday, November 24, to Friday, November 28, 2025.
Early release for high school exams begins on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, and continues through Friday, December 19, 2025.
The first semester ends on Friday, December 19, 2025, which is Day 91.
Winter Break for students and staff is scheduled from Monday, December 22, to Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Winter Break continues on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Teacher planning and staff development days, which are student holidays, occur on Friday, January 2, 2026.
The second semester begins on Monday, January 5, 2026, which is Day 92.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a systemwide holiday on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The third Digital Learning Day is scheduled for Friday, February 6, 2026.
Student and teacher holidays are observed from Thursday, February 12, to Monday, February 16, 2026.
Early release days for elementary and middle school students are scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The fourth Digital Learning Day is scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026.
Gwinnett County Spring Break 2026, a school holiday, is scheduled from Monday, April 6, to Friday, April 10, 2026.
Early release for high school exams takes place from Monday, May 18, to Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The last day of school is on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, which is Day 180.
Teacher post-planning and staff development days are scheduled for Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, 2026.
Memorial Day is observed as a systemwide holiday on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Juneteenth is observed as a holiday for 12-month employees on Friday, June 19, 2026.

Key Academic Dates

First Day of School: Monday, August 4, 2025
Last Day of School: Wednesday, May 21, 2026
Summer Break Begins: Thursday, May 22, 2026
Teacher Pre-Planning: Late July 2025 (specific dates to be confirmed)
Teacher Post-Planning: May 22-28, 2026

Gwinnett County School Holiday Breaks and School Closures

Gwinnett County Public Schools observes all federal holidays and provides strategic breaks throughout the academic year to support student and staff well-being. Here’s your complete holiday schedule:

Fall and Winter Holidays

Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025 – Schools closed
Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 – Schools closed
Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28, 2025
Winter Holiday Break: Monday, December 22, 2025 through Thursday, January 2, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2026 – Schools closed

Spring Holidays and Observances

Presidents Day: Monday, February 17, 2026 – Schools closed
Spring Break: Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, 2026
Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2026 – Schools closed

Digital Learning Days and Early Release Schedule

GCPS incorporates innovative digital learning opportunities and strategic early release days to maximize educational outcomes while accommodating community needs.

Early Release Days

Early release days begin at 12:30 PM, providing teachers with additional time for professional collaboration and parent conferences:

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences: Tuesday, October 15, 2025
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Digital Learning Opportunities

Election Day Digital Learning: Tuesday, November 5, 2025 – Students engage in online coursework while schools serve as polling locations

During digital learning days, teachers upload assignments through the GCPS learning management system by 8:00 AM, and students must submit completed work by 11:59 PM.

Professional Development and Teacher Workdays

Gwinnett County prioritizes ongoing educator development through strategic professional learning days. These days ensure teachers stay current with best practices, curriculum updates, and educational technology.

Pre-Planning and Post-Planning

Teacher Pre-Planning: Final week of July 2025
Teacher Post-Planning: May 22-28, 2026

Monthly Professional Development Schedule

August Staff Development: Monday, August 18, 2025
Election Day Planning: Monday, November 4, 2025
Mid-Year Curriculum Training: Monday, January 5, 2026
Assessment Review: Thursday, March 6, 2026

Download Options

Visit the official Gwinnett County Public Schools website at gcpsk12.org and navigate to “Calendars & Schedules” to access:

PDF Download: High-resolution, printable calendar with hyperlinked navigation
Mobile-Friendly Version: Optimized for smartphones and tablets
Multi-Language Support: Available in Spanish, Korean, and other community languages

Digital Calendar Subscriptions

Stay automatically updated with calendar changes by subscribing to the GCPS digital calendar:

For Apple/iPhone Users (iCal):

Click the “Subscribe” link on the Gwinnett County School calendar page
Select “Add to Calendar” when prompted
Calendar updates will sync automatically

For Google Calendar Users:

Open Google Calendar settings
Select “Add Calendar” > “From URL”
Paste the ICS subscription link from the GCPS website

For Microsoft Outlook Users:

Open Outlook Calendar
Select “Add Calendar” > “From Internet”
Enter the ICS subscription URL

Gwinnett County School Calendar 2025-2026 FAQs

When does the 2025-2026 school year start in Gwinnett County?

Classes begin on Monday, August 4, 2025, with teacher pre-planning starting in late July.

How many instructional days are in the GCPS academic year?

The Gwinnett County School calendar typically includes 180 instructional days, meeting Georgia Department of Education requirements.

Are there any mid-winter breaks besides the December holidays?

Yes, GCPS observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2026, and Presidents Day on Monday, February 17, 2026.

How do I stay informed about calendar changes or weather-related closures?

Subscribe to GCPS alerts through the district website, follow @GCPSK12 on social media, or download the official GCPS mobile app.

Who should I contact with questions about the academic calendar?

Contact the GCPS Communications Office at communications@gcpsk12.org or call (678) 301-6000 for Gwinnett County School calendar inquiries.

Planning Tips for GCPS Families

Vacation Planning Strategy

Book spring break travel between March 16-20, 2026
Consider extending winter holidays with December 21 or January 3 travel dates
Remember that the week before school starts is often busy with registration and orientation

Childcare Considerations

Arrange coverage for early release days (12:30 PM dismissal)
Plan for digital learning days when students work from home
Consider summer camp registration for the extended break from May 22 through August 3

Academic Preparation

Use winter break for midterm exam preparation
Schedule tutoring or academic support during longer breaks
Plan standardized test preparation around major holiday periods

Staying Connected with GCPS Updates

The Gwinnett County Public Schools district serves over 180,000 students across more than 140 schools, making effective communication essential. Stay informed through:

Official Website: gcpsk12.org for the most current calendar information
GCPS Mobile App: Download for instant notifications and calendar access
Social Media: Follow official GCPS accounts for real-time updates
School-Specific Communications: Individual schools may have additional calendar events

Conclusion

The Gwinnett County School Calendar 2025-2026 provides the framework for academic success across Georgia’s largest school district. By understanding key dates, holiday schedules, and professional development days, families can effectively plan for the upcoming academic year while supporting their students’ educational journey.

Remember to bookmark the official GCPS calendar page and subscribe to digital updates to ensure you never miss important schedule changes or announcements. With proper planning and awareness of these key dates, the 2025-2026 school year can be both productive and well-organized for the entire GCPS community.