If you are a parent, teacher, or student in Arlington, Virginia, this page has everything you need for the Arlington Public School Calendar 2026-2027. We verified this directly from the Arlington Public Schools (APS) official website at apsva.us. This blog covers the Arlington Public School Calendar 26-27 first day of school, all holidays, breaks, professional learning days, and grade preparation days in one easy place. Bookmark this page now so you are never caught off guard by a school closure or early release day.
Arlington Public Schools serves thousands of students across elementary, middle, and high schools in Arlington County, Virginia. The 2026-2027 academic year runs from August 31, 2026, through June 17, 2027. Whether you need the Arlington Public School Calendar 26-27 printable version, the Arlington Public School District Calendar 2026-27 template, or are searching for Arlington Public School District Calendar spring break 2027 — you will find it all right here.
At-a-Glance Summary: APS 2026-2027 School Year

Before diving into the full details, here is your quick-reference summary table. Save this and stick it on the fridge.
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| First Day of School (K–12) | August 31, 2026 |
| First Day of School (Pre-K / VPI / Special Ed PK) | September 1, 2026 |
| Last Day of School (ES / MS / HS) | June 17, 2027 |
| Total Student Days | 180 |
| Total Teacher Days | 189 |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 25–27, 2026 |
| Winter Break | December 23, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 22–26, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 |
Full Key Dates Table: Arlington Public School Calendar 2026-2027
Below is the complete APS calendar broken into monthly tables so you can plan month by month. All dates come directly from the official APS calendar.
2026 Dates
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Day (Observed) | July 3, 2026 | Observed July 3 |
| New Teacher Orientation | August 19–21, 2026 | New staff only |
| All Staff Return | August 24–28, 2026 | Staff workdays |
| First Day of School (K–12) | August 31, 2026 | Students begin |
| 12-Month Employee Holiday | September 4, 2026 | 12-month staff holiday |
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 | No school |
| Yom Kippur | September 21, 2026 | School in session — observe respectfully |
| ES Early Release | October 7–9, 2026 | Elementary early release |
| Indigenous Peoples Day / Professional Learning Day | October 12, 2026 | Student holiday; staff workday |
| Election Day / Grade Preparation — No School | November 3, 2026 | No school for students |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2026 | School observance |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 25–27, 2026 | No school |
| Early Release — Professional Learning (Countywide) | December 9, 2026 | Countywide PL day |
| Winter Break Begins | December 23, 2026 | Break runs through Jan 1 |
2027 Dates
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2027 | No school |
| Early Release — Professional Learning (School-Based) | January 13, 2027 | School-based PL day |
| MLK Holiday | January 18, 2027 | No school |
| Grade Preparation — No School | January 29, 2027 | No school for students |
| Early Release — Professional Learning (Countywide) | February 10, 2027 | Countywide PL day |
| Presidents’ Day — No School | February 15, 2027 | No school |
| Early Release — Professional Learning (School-Based) | March 3, 2027 | School-based PL day |
| Eid al-Fitr | March 10, 2027 | School calendar note |
| ES Early Release | March 17–19, 2027 | Elementary early release |
| Spring Break | March 22–26, 2027 | No school — all students |
| Grade Preparation — No School | April 19, 2027 | No school for students |
| Eid al-Adha | May 17, 2027 | School calendar note |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 | No school |
| HS Early Release Days | June 11–16, 2027 | High school only |
| Last Day of School (ES / MS / HS) | June 17, 2027 | Final day for students |
| Last Day for Teachers | June 17, 2027 | Teacher last day |
| Juneteenth (Observed) | June 18, 2027 | Observed June 18 |
Source: Arlington Public Schools official calendar. Last verified: May 2026.
Marking Periods: APS 2026-2027
Knowing your marking periods helps you stay on top of grades and report cards. Here is a breakdown of all four marking periods.
| Marking Period | End Date | Number of Days |
|---|---|---|
| Marking Period 1 | November 2, 2026 | 42 days |
| Marking Period 2 | January 28, 2027 | 49 days |
| Marking Period 3 | April 16, 2027 | 48 days |
| Marking Period 4 | June 17, 2027 | 41 days |
Staff-Only Professional Learning Days
Teachers and staff — these are your non-student days. Students do not attend on these dates.
| Type | Dates |
|---|---|
| Countywide Professional Learning | October 12, 2026 / December 9, 2026 / February 10, 2027 |
| School-Based Professional Learning (Early Release — ES, MS, HS) | October 28, 2026 / January 13, 2027 / March 3, 2027 |
| Elementary Teacher Records / Closeout Early Release | June 2, 2027 and June 9, 2027 |
Note: October 12 is a student holiday and a full workday for all APS staff.
Download the Official Arlington Public Schools Calendar
Want the Arlington Public School Calendar 26-27 printable PDF straight from the source? Arlington Public Schools publishes the official calendar on their website.
Download the official APS 2026-2027 calendar here: Printable Calendar Download
This link takes you directly to the APS calendar page where you can download the Arlington Public School District Calendar 2026-27 template as a printable PDF. It is the most reliable version and gets updated if any dates change. We recommend downloading it now and also bookmarking the page for updates.
See also: Anne Arundel County Public School Calendar 2026-2027 | Printable PDF
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does school start in Arlington Public Schools for 2026-2027?
The first day of school for K–12 students is August 31, 2026. If your child is enrolled in a Pre-K program, a VPI program, or a Special Education Pre-K class, their first day is September 1, 2026. Staff return to buildings the week of August 24–28, 2026, before students arrive.
Q: When is the last day of school for Arlington Public Schools in 2027?
The last day of school for elementary, middle, and high school students is June 17, 2027. This is also the last day for teachers. Note that high school students have early release days from June 11–16, 2027, leading up to that final day.
Q: When is spring break for Arlington Public Schools in 2027?
Arlington Public School District Calendar spring break 2027 runs from Monday, March 22 through Friday, March 26, 2027. That is a full week off for all students. Mark it early — spring break travel books up fast in the DMV area.
Q: How many school days does Arlington Public Schools have in 2026-2027?
Students have 180 instructional days for the 2026-2027 school year. Teachers and staff have 189 total workdays, which includes professional learning days, orientation, and teacher records days that students do not attend.
Q: Are there any school closings or delays I should know about?
Yes — several days are designated no-school days for students beyond standard holidays. These include Grade Preparation Days on November 3, 2026, January 29, 2027, and April 19, 2027. Always check the APS website or your school’s communication app for unexpected weather delays or emergency closings, as those are not reflected in the printed calendar.
Back to School Night and Graduation Dates
As of the time this blog was written, several important parent events are listed as TBD on the official APS calendar. These include:
- Back to School Night for Elementary, Middle, High, HB Woodlawn, and Arlington Career Center/Tech — all TBD
- High School Graduation — TBD
- Arlington Community High School / Langston H.S.C.P Graduation — TBD
- Middle School Promotion Ceremony — TBD
- Campbell Early Release for Parent-Teacher Conferences — TBD
Check back at apsva.us/aps-calendar/ as these dates are confirmed throughout the school year.
One More Useful Note for Parents
Students do not attend school on Grade Preparation Days (GP). These are days set aside for teachers to update records, prepare report cards, and complete grading tasks. Do not confuse them with holidays — they are staff workdays, just without students in the building. Plan childcare ahead for November 3, January 29, and April 19.
Final Thoughts
The Arlington Public School Calendar 2026-2027 is packed with important dates, and the best thing you can do right now is download the official PDF from apsva.us/aps-calendar/ and save it somewhere easy to find. Bookmark this blog page as well — we will update it if APS releases any changes to the calendar during the year. For real-time school closings due to weather or emergencies, always check the official APS website or sign up for APS alerts directly through the district. If you are coming back in late February or early March, one of the most-searched dates at that time is spring break — and now you already know it is March 22–26, 2027. Share this page with another APS parent who could use it.

