Durham Public Schools School Calendar
Durham, North Carolina
📅 When does school start back?
🦃 After Thanksgiving Break: Classes resume on November 30, 2026. Always double-check with Durham Public Schools for any last-minute changes.
❄️ After Winter Break: Classes resume on January 4, 2027. Always double-check with Durham Public Schools for any last-minute changes.
🌸 After Spring Break: Classes resume on March 29, 2027. Always double-check with Durham Public Schools for any last-minute changes.
After this: Winter Break in 38 days → see the date
30% of the school year has passed.
About Durham Public Schools
Durham Public Schools serves the Bull City. The 2026–2027 calendar runs from Aug 24 to June 9. Because Duke and NCCU are right here, the city has a great college-town vibe. The district builds in specific \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Annual Leave Days\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" for staff, which is a nice way of saying everyone gets a breather. Keep an eye out for early release days!
At a Glance
| First Day of School | August 24, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Day of School | June 9, 2027 |
| Total School Days | 180 Days |
| Teacher and staff days (no school for students) | 18 days (Aug 17-21, Sept 21, Sept 30, Nov 2-3, Nov 23, Dec 21-22, Jan 19, Feb 10, Apr 5, Apr 28, Jun 10-11) |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 22–26, 2027 |
Durham Public Schools 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 23–27, 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 |
| Christmas Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
A quick note for families
📌 Good to know
The calendar includes specific "Annual Leave Days" where schools are closed for students and most staff. Be sure to check the legend for Early Release Days (Oct 7, Feb 24, May 12, Jun 9). Note: The district also observes Labor Day (Sept 7), Veterans Day (Nov 11), and Good Friday (Mar 26).
🦃 Thanksgiving Break
Break runs Nov 23–27. We usually stay local for this one. If the weather is nice, taking the kids to hike at the Eno River State Park is a lifesaver to burn off turkey energy. It’s a full week off, so we just try to relax before the big push to winter break.
❄️ Winter Break
Dec 21 to Jan 1. It gets chilly here, so a lot of parents head to the Museum of Life and Science to let the kids run wild indoors. Keep an eye on the calendar—staff have workdays on Dec 21-22, and then the kids are off through New Year's. Plan for childcare early!
🌸 Spring Break
March 22–26. Weather is finally perfect. (Note: Good Friday is observed on March 26, the last day of the break). A lot of families drive to the coast or hit the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. If you stay in town, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens are gorgeous right now. Fair warning: NC storms can eat into these days, so stay flexible!
🍂 Fall Break
No real fall break here, but students get Labor Day (Sept 7) and Veterans Day (Nov 11) off. We also have Teacher Workdays on Sept 21 and Sept 30. A lot of local families use these long weekends to go apple picking in the mountains or just enjoy the cooler NC weather.
☀️ Summer Break
Starts June 9. It’s long and hot in NC. We survive by hitting the local pools, the downtown library, and getting way too many scoops at The Parlour. Parents are definitely counting down the days by August!
🕊️ Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan 18. A day off to reflect. Since Durham has such a rich civil rights history, it’s a great day to talk to the kids about the past. The following day (Jan 19) is a teacher workday, so the kids get a nice four-day weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Durham Public Schools start school in 2026?
The first day is August 24, 2026.
When is Thanksgiving break for Durham Public Schools in 2026?
Thanksgiving break is November 23–27, 2026. Classes resume on November 30, 2026.
When is spring break for Durham Public Schools in 2027?
Spring break is scheduled for March 22–26, 2027. Classes resume March 29, 2027.
When is the last day of school for Durham Public Schools?
The last day for students is June 9, 2027.
How many instructional days are there?
North Carolina state law requires a minimum of 180 instructional days. Check the official district calendar for specific make-up day schedules.
Other North Carolina districts to check
These districts are also in North Carolina. Their calendars may be different.
Related planning guides
Plan beyond the Durham Public Schools calendar
State Calendar
See the full North Carolina school calendar
All districts and state-wide breaks
Spring Break 2027
Compare Durham Public Schools spring break
Spring dates for other North Carolina districts
First Day of School 2026
Compare Durham Public Schools first day
Compare with other districts in the state
Official Sources
Check Durham Public Schools source context
Official district PDF and verification notes
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Printable Planning
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Dates checked against the official Durham Public Schools calendar. Last checked: October 31, 2026. Checked by MySchoolBreaks.
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 Durham Public Schools dates
These dates come from the official Durham Public Schools calendar, typed in by hand. Check the district's website for the latest before you make travel plans.
2026-2027 Traditional Calendar (Approved 1/15/26)
I update this page when I learn of a calendar change.
Also check other districts
Sources: Durham Public Schools 2026–2027 calendar (2026-2027 Traditional Calendar (Approved 1/15/26)); official website. Checked by MySchoolBreaks.