Chicago Public Schools (CPS) serves over 300,000 students across the city, and keeping up with the school calendar is one of the most important things any CPS family, teacher, or student can do. Whether you’re a parent planning summer vacation around the last day of school, a teacher preparing your classroom schedule, or a high schooler counting down to spring break — this page has everything you need for the CPS calendar 2026-27.
We verified this directly from Chicago Public Schools’ official website and the district’s published 2026–2027 Family Calendar (Last Updated: March 5, 2026). Bookmark this page now so you’re never scrambling for dates when it matters most.
At-a-Glance Summary: CPS 2026–2027 School Year
Here’s what every CPS parent and student needs to know at a glance:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First Day of School (Elementary & High School) | Monday, August 24, 2026 |
| First Day of School (Preschool) | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 |
| Last Day of School (Elementary & High School) | Friday, June 11, 2027 |
| Last Day of School (Preschool) | Thursday, June 10, 2027 |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 22, 2027 – March 26, 2027 |
| Next Major Holiday (Labor Day) | September 7, 2026 |
That’s the quick snapshot. Keep reading for the full key dates table, quarter-end dates, parent-teacher conference days, and much more.
Key Dates Table: CPS Calendar 2026–2027
Use this table as your go-to reference all year long. Every date below comes directly from the official CPS 2026–2027 Family Calendar.
See also: Fairfax County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 Printable PDF
School Start & End Dates
| Event | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of School (Elementary & High) | August 24, 2026 | — | Full day for students |
| First Day of School (Preschool) | August 25, 2026 | — | Full day for students |
| Last Day of School (Elementary & High) | — | June 11, 2027 | Full day for students |
| Last Day of School (Preschool) | — | June 10, 2027 | Full day for students |
Quarter End Dates
| Quarter | End Date |
|---|---|
| Q1 | October 23, 2026 |
| Q2 | January 22, 2027 |
| Q3 | April 2, 2027 |
| Q4 | June 11, 2027 |
Progress Report & Report Card Dates
| Event | Date | Quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Progress Report Distribution | September 24, 2026 | Q1 |
| Progress Report Distribution | December 11, 2026 | Q2 |
| Progress Report Distribution | February 26, 2027 | Q3 |
| Progress Report Distribution | May 6, 2027 | Q4 |
| Report Card Distribution | January 28, 2027 | Q2 |
| Report Card Distribution | June 11, 2027 | Q4 |
Vacations & Breaks
| Event | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Holiday | November 26, 2026 | November 27, 2026 | Schools closed |
| Winter Vacation | December 21, 2026 | January 1, 2027 | Schools closed |
| Spring Vacation | March 22, 2027 | March 26, 2027 | Schools closed |
Holidays — Schools Closed
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day | October 12, 2026 |
| General Election (observed in lieu of Veterans Day) | November 3, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday | November 26–27, 2026 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 |
| Presidents’ Day | February 15, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 |
Parent-Teacher Conference Days (Non-Attendance Days for Students)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Parent-Teacher Conference Day | Monday, November 2, 2026 |
| Parent-Teacher Conference Day | Monday, April 12, 2027 |
These are non-attendance days for students. Both elementary and high schools are expected to run conferences on these dates.
Professional Development Days (No School for Students)
| Date |
|---|
| August 17–21, 2026 |
| September 25, 2026 |
| November 11, 2026 |
| January 4, 2027 |
| January 29, 2027 |
| February 23, 2027 |
| April 6, 2027 |
| June 14, 2027 |
These are CPS professional development days for staff; students do not attend, and the staff calendar splits them between principal-directed and teacher-directed days.
Graduation Dates
| Event | Earliest Permitted Date |
|---|---|
| High School Graduation Ceremonies | Friday, May 28, 2027 |
| Elementary Graduation Ceremonies | Monday, June 7, 2027 |
Summer Programs 2027
| Program | Earliest Start Date |
|---|---|
| Summer Bridge, English Language Summer Support, Extended School Year, Summer Acceleration, High School Summer Credit Recovery | July 6, 2027 (may extend into August 2027) |
Source: Chicago Public Schools official 2026–2027 Family Calendar. Last verified: March 5, 2026.
Download the Official CPS 2026–2027 Calendar
Want the full printable version? CPS has published the official family calendar for the 2026–2027 school year. This is the same document distributed to schools across the district — in both English and Spanish.
👉 Download the Official CPS 2026–2027 Family Calendar (PDF)
This is the CPS calendar 26-27 printable version straight from the district. Print it, pin it on your fridge, and share it with your family. It covers elementary schools, high schools, and preschool start dates — all in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does school start for CPS in 2026–2027?
Elementary and high school students begin classes on Monday, August 24, 2026. That’s a full school day — not a half day. Preschool students start one day later, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Mark it on your calendar now so back-to-school prep doesn’t sneak up on you.
Q: When is the last day of school for CPS in 2026–2027?
The last day of school for elementary and high school students is Friday, June 11, 2027, which is also a full day. Preschool students wrap up one day earlier on Thursday, June 10, 2027. June 11 is also Q4 Report Card Distribution Day, so students will receive their final report cards on the last day.
Q: When is CPS’s spring break in 2027?
Chicago Public Schools’ spring break 2026–27 runs from Monday, March 22, 2027, to Friday, March 26, 2027. Schools are closed for the entire week. This is one of the most searched CPS calendar dates every year — especially for families planning travel. Lock in your plans early.
Q: How many school days does CPS have in the 2026–2027 school year?
The CPS academic year runs from August 24, 2026, to June 11, 2027. “The official CPS family calendar lists 176 student attendance days for the 2026–2027 school year.
Q: Are there school closings or delays I should know about?
The dates above are planned non-attendance days built into the CPS 2026–2027 calendar. Unplanned closings — like weather-related school closures — are not reflected here. For real-time emergency closings, delays, or district announcements, always check the official CPS website at cps.edu. CPS also sends notifications through its school messenger system, so make sure your contact information is up to date with your school.
Q: What is the CPS calendar 26-27 for the first day of school for high schoolers?
High school students follow the same calendar as elementary students. The first day of school is Monday, August 24, 2026, and it is a full day of instruction. Professional development days for teachers run August 17–21, 2026, so teachers are back in buildings before students arrive.
Why the CPS Calendar 2026–2027 Template Matters for Families
Planning around the school year is about more than just knowing when breaks are. The CPS calendar 2026-27 template helps families plan childcare for professional development days, schedule medical and dental appointments without conflicting with report card weeks, understand when progress reports are coming home, and prepare for parent-teacher conference days — which are non-attendance days for students but important engagement opportunities with your child’s school.
Teachers use the calendar to plan curriculum pacing across four quarters. Students use it to plan ahead for finals, graduation preparation, and summer programs. Everyone benefits from knowing the schedule well in advance.
Closing: Stay Ahead of the CPS 2026–2027 School Year
Bookmark this page and come back whenever you need a quick date check — whether it’s confirming Chicago public schools’ spring break 2026 or double-checking when Q3 ends before planning a family trip. For real-time school closings, district updates, and any mid-year calendar changes, always visit the official CPS website at cps.edu, as the district may issue updates throughout the year.
Check back in late February and March when spring break dates become the most searched CPS calendar topic across Chicago neighborhoods. And don’t forget — you can download the full CPS calendar 26-27 printable PDF directly from the official link shared above and keep a physical copy at home.
Here’s to a great 2026–2027 school year for every CPS student, family, and educator in Chicago. 🎒
All dates on this page are sourced from the official Chicago Public Schools 2026–2027 Family Calendar. Last updated by the district: March 5, 2026. This page is intended for informational purposes — always confirm critical dates at cps.edu.