MCPS Calendar 2025-2026: Important Dates and Deadlines

Planning your family’s schedule around the Montgomery County Public Schools academic year? This comprehensive MCPS Calendar guide provides all essential dates, holidays, breaks, and professional development days for MCPS students and families in Maryland.

Whether you’re searching for the first day of school, winter break dates, or spring break schedules, you’ll find everything you need to plan ahead for the 2025-2026 school year.

MCPS Calendar 2025-2026 Key Dates

Essential Calendar Dates at a Glance

Student Transition Day: Monday, August 25, 2025

• New non-instructional day for students in grades K, 6, and 9
• Includes Grade 3 students at 3-5 elementary schools
• Designed for students new to MCPS or transitioning to new schools

First Day of School: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Total Instructional Days: 181 days (plus 6 contingency days for weather emergencies)

Winter Break: Monday, December 22, 2025 – Friday, January 3, 2026

Spring Break: Monday, March 30, 2026 – Friday, April 4, 2026

MCPS Calendar Key Dates

1. Schools and offices are closed for Independence Day on Friday, July 4, 2025.
2. Teachers have professional days from Monday, August 18 through Friday, August 22, 2025.
3. Student Transition Day takes place on Monday, August 25, 2025.
4. The first day of school for all students is on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
5. Schools and offices are closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 1, 2025.
6. There is no school for students and teachers on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
7. Students are dismissed early on Friday, September 26, 2025.
8. There is no school for students and teachers on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
9. There is no school for students due to a professional development day on Friday, October 17, 2025.
10. There is no school for students and teachers on Monday, October 20, 2025.
11. There is no school for students for grading and planning at the end of the term on Monday, November 3, 2025.
12. Students are dismissed early on Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
13. Schools and offices are closed systemwide on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
14. Schools and offices are closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2025.
15. There is no school for students and teachers during Winter Break from Wednesday, December 24 through Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
16. Schools and offices are closed for holidays on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25, 2025.
17. Schools and offices are closed systemwide on Tuesday, December 30 and Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
18. Schools and offices are closed for New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
19. There is no school for students and teachers on Friday, January 2, 2026.
20. Schools and offices are closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2026.
21. There is no school for students for grading and planning at the end of the term on Monday, January 26, 2026.
22. Schools and offices are closed for Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 16, 2026.
23. There is no school for students and teachers on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
24. Students are dismissed early on Friday, February 27, 2026.
25. There is no school for students for a professional development day on Friday, March 20, 2026.
26. There is no school for students and teachers during Spring Break from Monday, March 30 through Monday, April 6, 2026.
27. Schools and offices are closed systemwide on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2, 2026.
28. Schools and offices are closed for holidays on Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6, 2026.
29. There is no school for students for grading and planning at the end of the term on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
30. Schools and offices are closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026.
31. There is no school for students and teachers on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
32. The last day of school for students is an early release day on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
33. Grading and planning for the end of the term takes place on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
34. Schools and offices are closed systemwide on Friday, June 19, 2026.

MCPS Holidays and School Closures

• Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025
• Columbus Day: Monday, October 13, 2025
• Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
• Thanksgiving Break: Thursday, November 27 – Friday, November 28, 2025
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2026
• Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 17, 2026
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2026

First Semester Schedule

The fall semester begins with the new Student Transition Day on Monday, August 25, 2025, followed by the official first day of instruction on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

This semester incorporates several professional development opportunities and federal holidays that provide students and families with extended weekends and breaks.

Early Release Days and Professional Development

Montgomery County Public Schools has scheduled strategic early release days throughout the first semester to support teacher collaboration and professional development:

• Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Early release for elementary schools
• Thursday, October 16, 2025: System-wide early release day
• Friday, December 19, 2025: Grading and planning day (no school for students)
• Monday, December 22, 2025: Winter break begins

These abbreviated days allow educators to engage in curriculum planning, data analysis, and collaborative instructional design while maintaining the required instructional hours mandated by Maryland State Department of Education.

Winter Break and Second Semester Transition

Extended Winter Recess Period

The 2025-2026 school year features an extended winter break running from Monday, December 22, 2025, through Friday, January 3, 2026. This provides families with a full two-week holiday period, accommodating both Christmas and New Year celebrations while allowing students and staff adequate rest before returning to academic routines.

Key Winter Break Details:

• Students’ last day before break: Friday, December 19, 2025
• Staff grading and planning days: December 19-20, 2025
• Holiday recess begins: Monday, December 22, 2025
• Schools reopen: Monday, January 6, 2026

Second Semester Highlights

The spring semester launches on Monday, January 6, 2026, following the extended winter recess. This semester includes Maryland’s mandated spring break period and culminates with graduation ceremonies and end-of-year activities in June.

Spring Semester Important Dates

Mid-Winter Break: Monday, February 17, 2026 (Presidents’ Day weekend)

Spring Break Week: Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 4, 2026

• Provides families with six consecutive days off from school
• Strategically placed to prevent spring learning loss
• Aligns with many colleges’ spring break schedules for family coordination

Final Quarter Push: April 7, 2026 – June 17, 2026

• Intensive preparation for state assessments
• Advanced Placement exam period (May 2026)
• Final projects and semester examinations
• Graduation ceremonies for high school seniors

Emergency Makeup Days

Montgomery County Public Schools has built six contingency days into the calendar to address potential weather-related closures or emergency situations. These makeup days are scheduled for:

• Thursday, June 18, 2026
• Friday, June 19, 2026
• Monday, June 22, 2026
• Tuesday, June 23, 2026
• Wednesday, June 24, 2026
• Thursday, June 25, 2026

Professional Development and Teacher Workdays

System-Wide Professional Learning Calendar

Montgomery County Public Schools prioritizes continuous professional development for educators through strategically scheduled non-instructional days. The 2025-2026 calendar includes eight dedicated professional development days:

Pre-School Year Preparation:

• Thursday, August 21, 2025: New teacher orientation
• Friday, August 22, 2025: All-staff professional development
• Monday, August 25, 2025: Student Transition Day preparation

Mid-Year Professional Learning:

• Thursday, October 16, 2025: Curriculum collaboration day
• Friday, December 19, 2025: First semester grading and planning
• Monday, December 22, 2025: Winter break preparation

Spring Professional Development:

• Thursday, March 6, 2026: Data analysis and intervention planning
• Thursday, June 18, 2026: End-of-year wrap-up (if not used as makeup day)

These professional development days ensure teachers remain current with educational best practices, technology integration, and curriculum standards while providing opportunities for collaborative planning and student data review.

Arcola Elementary School Innovative Calendar

Year-Round Learning Model

Arcola Elementary School operates on a unique 206-day innovative calendar that differs significantly from the traditional Montgomery County schedule. This year-round model aims to reduce summer learning loss and provide more consistent educational opportunities throughout the year.

Arcola ES Unique Schedule Features:

• Early Start Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
• Extended August Break: Monday, August 4 – Friday, August 29, 2025
• Additional Instruction Days: 206 total instructional days (26 more than traditional calendar)
• Shortened Summer Break: Reduces traditional summer vacation period
• Intersession Opportunities: Enrichment and remediation programs during breaks

This innovative approach provides Arcola families with increased flexibility while maintaining rigorous academic standards and offering enhanced learning opportunities throughout the calendar year.

Digital Calendar Access and Subscription Options

Official MCPS Calendar Resources

Montgomery County Public Schools provides multiple ways for families to access and integrate the official school calendar into their personal planning systems:

PDF Download Options:

• Visit the official MCPS website calendar section
• Click “Download 2025-2026 Calendar PDF”
• Print-friendly format available for home and office use
• Includes all major dates, holidays, and professional development days

Digital Calendar Integration:

• iCal Subscription: Add MCPS calendar directly to Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, or Outlook
• RSS Feed: Automatic updates when calendar changes occur
• Mobile App Integration: Sync with smartphone calendar applications
• Google Calendar Sharing: Family calendar coordination made simple

How to Subscribe to MCPS Digital Calendar

1. Navigate to the MCPS official website calendar page
2. Locate the “Subscribe to Calendar” section
3. Copy the provided iCal URL link
4. Open your preferred calendar application
5. Select “Add Calendar by URL” or “Subscribe to Calendar”
6. Paste the MCPS iCal URL
7. Name the calendar “MCPS 2025-2026”
8. Choose notification preferences
9. Save and sync across all devices

This subscription method ensures automatic updates if any calendar changes occur due to weather emergencies or administrative adjustments.

MCPS Calendar Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Tips for MCPS Families

Academic Year Preparation Strategies

Back-to-School Planning:

• Mark your calendar with the Student Transition Day (August 25) and first day of school (August 26)
• Schedule medical appointments, dental checkups, and vision screenings before school starts
• Plan summer reading completion and school supply shopping around the calendar

Holiday and Break Coordination:

• Book family vacations during scheduled breaks to avoid attendance issues
• Coordinate childcare arrangements for professional development days
• Plan holiday travel around the extended winter break period

Spring Semester Success:

• Use winter break to prepare for spring semester challenges
• Schedule college visits during spring break week
• Plan graduation celebrations and end-of-year activities early

Communication and Updates

Stay informed about potential calendar changes through:

• Official MCPS website announcements
• School-specific newsletters and communications
• Social media updates from Montgomery County Public Schools
• Local news coverage of weather-related schedule adjustments
• Automated calendar subscription notifications

The MCPS Calendar 2025-2026 calendar provides a balanced approach to academic instruction, professional development, and family time.