Potomac families now have every school day, break and early release mapped through June 2027. Montgomery County Public Schools published its complete 2026-27 academic calendar in a redesigned format, and students at Winston Churchill High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School and Herbert Hoover Middle School head back to class Tuesday, Aug. 25.

One day earlier, Monday, Aug. 24, is Transition Day for incoming kindergartners, first graders, sixth graders, ninth graders and students new to the district.

New format

This year's calendar arrives in a redesigned layout the district describes as color-coded and easier for families to read. Light blue marks school days, pink marks no-school days, light purple flags early release days, and a black square signals the end of each marking period. The full PDF is available on the MCPS website.

Marking periods

The four grading deadlines that drive report cards, late-work cutoffs and parent-teacher conferences:

  • First marking period ends: Oct. 30
  • Second marking period ends: Jan. 22, 2027
  • Third marking period ends: April 9, 2027
  • Fourth marking period ends: June 11, 2027 (also the last day of school)

Report cards are distributed approximately two weeks after each marking period closes.

Major breaks and holidays

Thanksgiving week: Early release days Nov. 23, 24 and 25; no school Nov. 26-27.

Winter Break: Early release Wednesday, Dec. 23, then no school Dec. 24 through Jan. 1, 2027.

Spring Break: March 26 through April 2, 2027.

Other no-school days include Labor Day on Sept. 7, Election Day on Nov. 3, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18, 2027, Presidents Day on Feb. 15, 2027, and Memorial Day on May 31, 2027.

Snow days built in

After last winter's disruptions forced last-minute schedule changes across the district, MCPS built six snow makeup days into this calendar: April 22, 2027; May 17, 2027; and June 14-17, 2027. Those days activate only if needed. The June 11 last day of school is subject to change if makeup days are used.

Early release days to note

Parents juggling pickup schedules should mark Sept. 18, Nov. 23-25, Dec. 23, Feb. 26, 2027, and June 11, 2027 as early release days.

The next Board of Education business meeting is Thursday, Aug. 20. The calendar itself was approved in May and no further calendar-related action is expected.