Early release days for students are September 18, 2026, November 23, 2026 to November 25, 2026, December 23, 2026, February 26, 2027 and June 11, 2027. Student Transition Day on August 24, 2026 is only for students entering Grades K, 6 and 9, Grade 3 students at elementary schools that serve only Grades 3-5, and students new to MCPS. If there are emergency closures, the make-up days are the six listed above.

School is closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, and kids return Monday, November 30. The part that catches people is the three early release days before it, November 23 to 25, so the break starts earlier than it looks. November also opens with a two-day stretch off: November 2 for grading and planning, then Election Day on the 3rd. Line up rides or care for those early afternoons, especially if you work.

Winter break starts Thursday, December 24, with Wednesday the 23rd as an early release day. December 28 and 29 are non-instructional days with no school, and December 30 and 31 are systemwide closures, so the whole stretch runs through New Year’s Day on January 1. Kids go back Monday, January 4. That’s eleven days in a row, so book travel early and check for ice before driving. D.C. museums are free and a good rainy day option.

Spring break covers Friday, March 26 to Friday, April 2, with kids back Monday, April 5. March 26 and 29 are the spring break holiday, March 30 and 31 are non-instructional days, and April 1 and 2 are systemwide closures. That’s ten days in a row counting weekends, so it’s worth planning ahead. If it rains, try the free Smithsonian museums in D.C. or Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. Pack layers, since March weather can swing.

MCPS has no fall break. In the fall, there’s Labor Day on September 7, an early release on September 18, then a non-instructional day on September 21 when neither students nor teachers are in school. The next day off is October 16, a PD day for staff, which gives kids a long weekend. Outdoor weekends are your best bet, and the days get dark early after the clocks change in November.

The last day for students is Friday, June 11, 2027, and it’s also an early release day. After that, June 14 is a grading and planning day, and June 18 is a systemwide closure. If the year gets disrupted by emergencies, make-up days could be used on April 22, May 17 and June 14 to 17, so avoid non-refundable plans until the end. Memorial Day is May 31. Camps fill up early, so register in the winter.

Monday, January 18, 2027 is a school holiday for students and offices, giving a three-day weekend. January 25 is a grading and planning day with no school for students, so the next week starts with a short week. Check your child’s progress then. For something free, many county libraries and parks have MLK Day events, so check the Montgomery County listings.