Chicago Public Schools (CPS) School Calendar
Chicago, Illinois
📅 When does school start back?
🦃 After Thanksgiving Break: Classes resume on November 30, 2026. Always double-check with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for any last-minute changes.
❄️ After Winter Break: Classes resume on January 5, 2027. Always double-check with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for any last-minute changes.
🌸 After Spring Break: Classes resume on March 29, 2027. Always double-check with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for any last-minute changes.
After this: Winter Break in 38 days → see the date
31% of the school year has passed.
About Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
Chicago Public Schools is the largest school district in Illinois and one of the biggest in the US. The 2026-27 year runs from August 24, 2026 to June 11, 2027, with 176 student days across four quarters.
At a Glance
| First Day of School | August 24, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Day of School | June 11, 2027 |
| Total School Days | 176 Days |
| Teacher and staff days (no school for students) | Aug 17-21, 2026; Sept 25, 2026; Nov 11, 2026; Jan 4, 2027; Jan 29, 2027; Feb 23, 2027; Apr 6, 2027; June 14, 2027. Parent-teacher conference days (Nov 2, 2026 and Apr 12, 2027) are also non-attendance days for students. |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 22–26, 2027 |
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) School Holidays 2026-2027
These are official dates published by the district. Always confirm with your specific school for any exceptions.
| Holiday / Break | Dates |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Break | November 26–27, 2026 |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 22–26, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 |
A quick note for families
📌 Good to know
Election Day (Nov 3, 2026) is a holiday in place of Veterans Day, and Nov 11 is a professional development day with no school. Parent-teacher conference days are Nov 2, 2026 and Apr 12, 2027. Report cards for Q2 go out Jan 28, 2027 and for Q4 on June 11, 2027.
🦃 Thanksgiving Break
CPS has a short Thanksgiving break. Schools are closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, 2026, and students return Monday, November 30. School is in session the Monday to Wednesday before.
❄️ Winter Break
Winter break runs December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027. January 4 is a staff development day, so students return Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
🌸 Spring Break
Spring break is March 22-26, 2027, and classes resume Monday, March 29. The break falls the week before Easter Sunday (March 28).
🍂 Fall Break
CPS has no fall break in 2026-27. The only October day off is Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 12. Quarter 1 ends October 23, 2026.
☀️ Summer Break
The last day for K-12 students is Friday, June 11, 2027 (Pre-K ends June 10). Teachers have a development day on June 14. Summer programs, including Summer Bridge, may start as early as July 6, 2027.
🕊️ Martin Luther King Jr. Day
CPS schools are closed Monday, January 18, 2027 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Chicago Public Schools (CPS) start school in 2026?
The first day is August 24, 2026.
When is Thanksgiving break for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in 2026?
Thanksgiving break is November 26–27, 2026. Classes resume on November 30, 2026.
When is spring break for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in 2027?
Spring break is scheduled for March 22–26, 2027. Classes resume March 29, 2027.
When is the last day of school for Chicago Public Schools (CPS)?
The last day for students is June 11, 2027.
How many instructional days are there?
Illinois state law requires a minimum of 176 instructional days. Check the official district calendar for specific make-up day schedules.
Other Illinois districts to check
These districts are also in Illinois. Their calendars may be different.
Related planning guides
Plan beyond the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) calendar
State Calendar
See the full Illinois school calendar
All districts and state-wide breaks
Spring Break 2027
Compare Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spring break
Spring dates for other Illinois districts
First Day of School 2026
Compare Chicago Public Schools (CPS) first day
Compare with other districts in the state
Official Sources
Check Chicago Public Schools (CPS) source context
Official district PDF and verification notes
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Printable Planning
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Dates checked against the official Chicago Public Schools (CPS) calendar. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Checked by MySchoolBreaks team.
How I check these dates: I enter them by hand from the district's published 2026-27 calendar and compare them against its PDF. If the district updates its calendar, I update this page. Spotted a mistake? Report it and I'll check it.
Official source tracker
How to verify Chicago Public Schools (CPS) dates
These dates come from the official Chicago Public Schools (CPS) calendar, typed in by hand. Check the district's website for the latest before you make travel plans.
I update this page when I learn of a calendar change.
Also check other districts
Sources: Chicago Public Schools (CPS) 2026–2027 calendar; official website. Checked by MySchoolBreaks team.