The Houston Independent School District, HISD calendar serves as the essential roadmap for families, educators, and staff navigating the 2025-26 academic year.
This comprehensive HISD district calendar outlines critical dates including first and last days of instruction, holiday breaks, professional development sessions, grading periods, and student recess days.
Whether you’re accessing the official HISD calendar PDF, syncing dates with your Google Calendar, or checking campus-specific schedules, staying informed about Houston ISD’s academic timeline ensures optimal planning for your family’s educational journey.
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HISD Calendar for 2025-26 Academic Year: Key Dates and Overview
The Houston Independent School District 2025-26 academic calendar officially begins with teacher professional development and preparation days starting Monday, July 21, 2025, continuing through Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Students across all HISD campuses will begin their educational journey on Monday, August 12, 2025, marking the first official day of classes for the new school year.
The academic year concludes with the final day of student instruction scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2026, while teachers complete their responsibilities on Thursday, June 5, 2026.
This Houston ISD academic calendar provides students with 181 instructional days, representing additional learning time compared to previous years as part of the district’s commitment to academic excellence.
The HISD grading system divides the academic year into six distinct grading cycles, each approximately nine weeks in duration.
This structure aligns report card distribution with natural semester breaks and holiday periods, creating a balanced academic rhythm that supports student learning and family planning throughout the school year.
- All staff induction and preparation will take place from Friday, August 1, to Monday, August 11, 2025.
- The first day of school for students will be on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
- Labor Day will be observed as a holiday on Monday, September 1, 2025.
- A staff professional development day with no classes for students will occur on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
- Another staff professional development day with no student attendance is scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 2025.
- Schools will be closed for recess on Friday, October 3, 2025.
- A staff professional development day will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, with no classes for students.
- Schools will be closed for recess from Monday, November 24, to Friday, November 28, 2025.
- Thanksgiving Day will be observed on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
- Winter recess will be held from Monday, December 22, to Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
- New Year’s Day will be observed on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
- Schools will remain closed for recess on Friday, January 2, 2026.
- A staff professional development day will take place on Monday, January 5, 2026.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed on Monday, January 19, 2026.
- A staff professional development day will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026.
- Presidents’ Day will be observed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
- HISD Spring Break 2026 will take place from Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13, 2026.
- Chavez-Huerta Day will be observed on Monday, March 30, 2026.
- Schools will be closed for recess on Friday, April 3, 2026.
- Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 25, 2026.
- The last day of school for students is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2026.
- A staff professional development day will occur on Friday, June 5, 2026.
- Another staff professional development day is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
- The 5th Quarter instructional period will run from Wednesday, June 10, to Monday, June 30, 2026.
- Juneteenth will be observed on Friday, June 19, 2026.
- The 5th Quarter will continue from Wednesday, July 1, to Thursday, July 17, 2026.
- Schools will be closed for recess on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
- Independence Day will be observed on Friday, July 3, 2026.
- School leaders’ induction and preparation will occur from Monday, July 20, to Tuesday, July 29, 2026.
- All staff induction and preparation will continue on Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31, 2026.
Essential Start and End Dates for HISD 2025-26
Houston Independent School District staff members begin their professional duties on Monday, July 21, 2025, with mandatory preparation and professional development continuing through Thursday, July 31, 2025.
These pre-service days ensure teachers are fully prepared to deliver high-quality instruction from day one.
Student instruction officially commences on Monday, August 12, 2025, coinciding with the implementation of updated Houston ISD bell schedules across elementary, middle, and high school campuses.
Elementary schools typically operate from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, while middle and high schools follow an 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM schedule, though New Education System campuses may extend learning time by 30 additional minutes daily.
Mid-year grading cycle transitions occur throughout November 2025, providing natural checkpoints for academic progress assessment.
Following the Winter Break period, second-semester instruction resumes on Monday, January 5, 2026, allowing families adequate time for holiday celebrations and rest.
The academic year concludes with students’ final instructional day on Wednesday, June 4, 2026, followed by teachers completing end-of-year responsibilities on Thursday, June 5, 2026.
These dates anchor all family vacation planning, childcare arrangements, and summer program enrollment decisions.
HISD Holiday Schedule and Major Breaks 2025-26
The Houston ISD calendar incorporates numerous holidays and extended breaks designed to support student well-being, family time, and cultural celebrations throughout the academic year.
Labor Day Holiday: Monday, September 1, 2025 – All HISD campuses remain closed in observance of this federal holiday.
Fall Recess Period: Thursday, October 3, 2025 – Students enjoy a recess day immediately following professional development activities, creating an extended weekend for families.
Thanksgiving Holiday Break: Monday, November 24 through Friday, November 28, 2025 – This five-day break provides families with extended time for holiday celebrations, travel, and gathering with loved ones across the Houston metropolitan area.
Winter Holiday Break: Monday, December 22, 2025 through Thursday, January 2, 2026 – The most extensive break of the academic year spans nearly two weeks, allowing for winter celebrations, family travel, and student rest. Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19, 2026 – HISD honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a full day of closure, providing opportunities for community service and reflection.
Presidents’ Day Holiday: Monday, February 16, 2026 – This federal holiday honors presidents Washington and Lincoln with a scheduled day off for students and staff.
César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Day: Monday, March 29, 2026 – HISD recognizes the contributions of these influential labor leaders and civil rights activists with a full day of observance.
Spring Break Week: Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 13, 2026 – This week-long break strategically positioned between grading cycles allows students and families to recharge for the final academic quarter.
Memorial Day Holiday: Monday, May 25, 2026 – The final federal holiday of the academic year honors fallen military service members with campus closures.
Each holiday break strategically aligns with grading cycle endpoints to minimize instructional disruption while maximizing learning continuity.
Professional development days are scheduled adjacent to these breaks to optimize teacher preparation time and student rest periods.
Professional Development and Student Recess Days
Houston Independent School District prioritizes ongoing educator excellence through five strategically scheduled professional development days throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
These dedicated training sessions enhance teaching methodologies, curriculum alignment, and student support strategies.
Professional Development Schedule
- Monday, September 2, 2025
- Wednesday, October 2, 2025
- Thursday, November 7, 2025
- Monday, January 5, 2026
- Thursday, February 13, 2026
Student Recess Days
- Thursday, October 3, 2025 (following October PD day)
- Thursday, April 3, 2026 (mid-spring semester break)
These student recess days provide brief intermissions between intensive grading cycles and major holiday periods.
While students enjoy these break days, teachers utilize adjacent professional development time for lesson planning refinement, assessment calibration, and district-wide collaborative workshops.
Parents should note these dates for childcare planning, family activities, or additional study support arrangements.
The strategic placement of recess days supports student mental health and academic performance while ensuring teachers receive essential professional growth opportunities.
HISD Grading Cycles and Report Card Distribution
The Houston ISD academic calendar structures student assessment through six comprehensive grading cycles, each spanning approximately nine weeks to ensure thorough evaluation of student progress and learning outcomes.
2025-26 Grading Cycle Schedule
First Grading Cycle: Monday, August 12 – Thursday, September 19, 2025 Report cards distributed: Friday, September 26, 2025
Second Grading Cycle: Monday, September 22 – Thursday, November 7, 2025
Report cards distributed: Friday, November 14, 2025
Third Grading Cycle: Monday, November 10, 2026 – Thursday, January 16, 2026 Report cards distributed: Thursday, January 23, 2026
Fourth Grading Cycle: Monday, January 19 – Thursday, March 6, 2026 Report cards distributed: Thursday, March 13, 2026
Fifth Grading Cycle: Monday, March 9 – Thursday, April 24, 2026 Report cards distributed: Thursday, May 1, 2026
Sixth Grading Cycle: Sunday, April 27 – Wednesday, June 4, 2026 Final report cards distributed: Thursday, June 12, 2026 (for students) / Wednesday, June 4, 2026 (for teachers)
This grading schedule enables families to track academic progress consistently, schedule parent-teacher conferences during natural transition periods, and plan academic support interventions as needed.
The HISD calendar’s structured approach to assessment helps students set achievable goals for each grading period while providing parents with regular updates on educational progress.
Accessing Your HISD Calendar PDF and Digital Resources
Obtaining official Houston ISD calendar documents requires visiting the district’s primary website at houstonisd.org and navigating to the Calendar section under District Resources.
The comprehensive HISD calendar PDF is available in both English and Spanish to serve the diverse linguistic needs of Houston’s multicultural community.
Download Process:
- Visit the official Houston ISD website
- Navigate to “Our District” menu
- Select “District Calendar”
- Choose preferred language (English/Spanish)
- Click “Download PDF” for printable version
Individual campus calendars may include site-specific events, early release days, and special programming schedules.
These campus-specific HISD calendars are accessible through each school’s dedicated webpage under the “Schools” directory.
For families preferring printed references, the downloadable Houston ISD calendar PDF prints clearly on standard paper sizes and includes all essential dates, grading cycles, and holiday breaks in an easy-to-read format that can be posted on refrigerators, home offices, or family command centers.
Syncing HISD Calendar with Digital Devices and Apps
Modern families benefit from integrating the Houston ISD calendar directly into their smartphones, tablets, and computer calendar applications to receive automatic updates and reminder notifications about important academic dates.
Apple Calendar Integration
- Visit the HISD Calendar webpage
- Locate “Subscribe to Calendar” link
- Select “Add to Apple Calendar” option
- Choose “Subscribe” in your Calendar app
- Enable push notifications for automatic reminders
Google Calendar Synchronization
- Copy the provided iCal subscription URL from HISD website
- Open Google Calendar in web browser or mobile app
- Click the “+” symbol beside “Other calendars”
- Select “From URL” option
- Paste the HISD calendar link and save
Campus-Specific Calendar Subscriptions: Individual school calendars are available for subscription through each campus’s dedicated webpage. These specialized calendars include field trips, school-specific early release days, parent-teacher conference dates, and special events unique to your child’s campus.
Mobile App Notifications: The official Houston ISD mobile application provides push notification capabilities for calendar changes, emergency closures, and important deadline reminders. Enable notifications in your device settings to receive real-time updates about schedule modifications or weather-related closures.
This digital integration ensures your family calendar automatically updates when HISD makes adjustments to the official schedule, preventing missed appointments or forgotten important dates throughout the academic year.
FAQs About HISD Calendar 2025-26
When does Houston ISD start school in 2025?
Houston Independent School District students begin the 2025-26 academic year on Monday, August 12, 2025. Teacher preparation and professional development days commence on Monday, July 21, 2025, continuing through Thursday, July 31, 2025.
How many instructional days are included in the HISD calendar?
The 2025-26 Houston ISD calendar provides 181 instructional days for students, representing an increase from previous years as part of the district’s commitment to enhanced learning time. Additionally, teachers participate in five professional development days throughout the academic year.
What major holidays does HISD observe during 2025-26?
Houston ISD observes numerous holidays including Labor Day (Monday, September 1), Thanksgiving Break (Monday, November 24 – Friday, November 28), Winter Break (Monday, December 22 – Thursday, January 2), Spring Break (Monday, March 9 – Friday, March 13), Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Day, and Memorial Day.
Are there early release or student recess days in the HISD calendar?
Yes, Houston ISD includes two designated student recess days: Thursday, October 3, 2025, and Thursday, April 3, 2026. These recess days immediately follow professional development sessions. Individual campuses may schedule additional early release days – consult your specific school’s calendar for complete details.
How can families download the official HISD calendar PDF?
Visit the Houston Independent School District website, navigate to the “Our District” section, select “District Calendar,” choose your preferred language (English or Spanish), and click the download link to obtain the comprehensive HISD calendar PDF.
Can parents subscribe to HISD calendar updates in Google Calendar or Apple Calendar?
Absolutely. The Houston ISD website provides iCal subscription links that automatically sync with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and other digital calendar applications. Copy the subscription URL and add it to your preferred calendar app under “Other calendars” or “Calendar subscriptions.”
Where can families find campus-specific HISD calendars?
Campus-specific calendars are available on individual school webpages accessed through the “Schools” directory on the main HISD website. Each campus calendar includes school-specific events, early release days, parent-teacher conferences, and special programming schedules alongside district-wide dates.
What should families do if they need calendar information in languages other than English?
Houston ISD provides official calendar documents in Spanish, and many individual campuses offer additional language support through their main offices. Contact your campus directly for assistance with calendar interpretation or translation services.
Maximizing Your HISD Calendar Experience
Stay ahead of the academic year by bookmarking the official Houston Independent School District calendar webpage and subscribing to automatic updates through your preferred digital calendar platform.
Share campus-specific schedules with parent-teacher organizations, carpools, and extended family members to coordinate community events and shared responsibilities.
Register for Houston ISD’s official communication channels including email newsletters, mobile app notifications, and social media updates to receive immediate alerts about calendar changes, weather-related closures, or emergency schedule adjustments.
Use the HISD calendar proactively to plan family vacations during designated break periods, schedule medical appointments during recess days, and coordinate with childcare providers around professional development days.
This strategic approach to calendar management supports your student’s academic success while simplifying family logistics throughout the school year.
Keep this comprehensive guide accessible as your go-to reference for Houston ISD calendar questions, and share these resources with other families in your school community to build stronger, more informed parent networks that benefit all students in the district.
