Lake Washington has staggered start dates. Grades 1-12 start Aug 31, but kindergartners start Sept 2, and preschoolers start Sept 8. Also, early release is every Wednesday (90 mins for elementary, 105 mins for secondary).

Thanksgiving break is just Thursday and Friday, Nov 26–27. But watch out for the days before. Elementary schools have parent-teacher conferences Nov 23–25, meaning most elementary kids are off all week, while middle and high schools are still in session. If you have kids in different grade levels, check their schedules before booking a trip.

Winter break runs from Dec 21 through Jan 1, and students return on Jan 4. But right before the break, things get a little weird. There is a half-day on Dec 18, and after winter break, there are elementary-only conference days on Jan 28-29. Don't forget mid-winter break in February (Feb 15–19), which gives everyone a full week off to enjoy the snow or head out of town.

Spring break is relatively late here, running from April 12–16, 2027. But keep an eye on early April. There is a secondary grading day on April 2, and a half-day for elementary students on April 2. If you're planning a spring trip, keep in mind that state testing usually starts right after kids return from spring break, so try to avoid pulling them out of class during that stretch.

The last day of school is scheduled for Friday, June 18, 2027. The calendar has June 21, 22, and 23 reserved as emergency make-up days, but if there's no snow, summer officially starts on Saturday, June 19. Once school's out, enjoy the local trails in Redmond, head out to Lake Sammamish, or take the family into Seattle for the day.