Planning your family’s year just got easier. Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) has released its official 2026-2027 academic calendar, and we’ve broken down everything Maryland parents, teachers, and students need to know. We verified this information directly from the Baltimore County Public Schools official website in April 2026. Whether you’re coordinating childcare, booking vacations, or just trying to survive the school year without missing a picture day, this guide has you covered. Bookmark this page now—you’ll thank yourself later when you’re frantically Googling “when is spring break” at 11 PM.
Quick Overview: Baltimore County Public Schools 2026-2027 At-a-Glance
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 31, 2026 | Monday (Grades 1–12) |
| First Full Day of Kindergarten | September 2, 2026 | Wednesday |
| Last Day of School | June 17, 2027 | Thursday (Early Dismissal) |
| Total Instructional Days | 180 Days | For Students |
| Next Major Holiday | September 7, 2026 | Labor Day (Monday) |
The 2026-2027 school year follows a pre-Labor Day start calendar, meaning students return to class in late August. Teachers report earlier for professional development and classroom preparation. All families should note that several days include early dismissal for grade reporting and professional development.
Complete 2026-2027 Baltimore County Public Schools Calendar
August 2026: Back to School
| Date | Day | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 21, 2026 | Friday | Administrative & Supervisory Personnel Meeting | — |
| August 24, 2026 | Monday | Teachers & School-Based Staff Report | — |
| August 25, 2026 | Tuesday | Systemwide Professional Development | No students |
| August 26, 2026 | Wednesday | Teacher Classroom Preparation Day | — |
| August 27, 2026 | Thursday | Orientation for Grades 6 & 9 | Students only (Grades 6 & 9) |
| August 28, 2026 | Friday | Teacher Classroom Preparation Day | — |
| August 31, 2026 | Monday | First Day for Students | Grades 1–12 |
The opening weeks can feel chaotic. Elementary parents should know that kindergarteners have a staggered start—they begin on August 31, but transportation doesn’t start until September 2. Mark your calendar accordingly.
September 2026: Settling In
| Date | Day | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2, 2026 | Wednesday | First Full Day of Kindergarten | Bus service begins |
| September 7, 2026 | Monday | Labor Day Holiday | Schools and offices closed |
| September 21, 2026 | Monday | Systemwide Professional Development Day | Schools closed for students; teachers on duty (Yom Kippur) |
September brings the first three-day weekend. Teachers work on September 21, but students stay home.
October 2026: First Quarter Wraps Up
| Date | Day | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 12, 2026 | Monday | Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Schools open |
| October 16, 2026 | Friday | Systemwide Professional Development / MSEA Convention | Schools closed for students |
| October 30, 2026 | Friday | First Marking Period Ends | 3-hour early dismissal for grade reporting |
The first report card period closes October 30. All schools dismiss three hours early so teachers can complete grade reporting and data analysis. Plan for early pickup.
November 2026: Conferences and Thanksgiving
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| November 3, 2026 (Tuesday) | Election Day | Schools and offices closed |
| November 11, 2026 (Wednesday) | Veterans Day | Schools open |
| November 12, 2026 (Thursday) | First Quarter Report Cards Distributed | — |
| November 16–20, 2026 | American Education Week | — |
| November 16, 2026 (Monday) | Elementary Conference Day | Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Elementary students off; middle/high schools full day |
| November 17, 2026 (Tuesday) | Pre-K Conference Day | No Pre-K sessions |
| November 25, 2026 (Wednesday) | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 3-hour early dismissal |
| November 26–27, 2026 | Thanksgiving Holiday | Schools and offices closed |
November is packed. Election Day gives everyone a day off. Parent-teacher conferences happen mid-month—elementary families get November 16 off while secondary students attend regular classes. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving sees early release. You get a full five-day Thanksgiving break when you count the weekend.
December 2026: Winter Break
Wednesday, December 23 – Winter Break Begins (at end of school day)
Winter break starts December 23 and runs through January 3. That’s almost two full weeks for family time, travel, or just recovering from semester one.
January 2027: New Semester
| Date | Day | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 4, 2027 | Monday | Schools Reopen | — |
| January 15, 2027 | Friday | Second Marking Period Ends | 3-hour early dismissal |
| January 18, 2027 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Schools and offices closed |
| January 19, 2027 | Tuesday | Systemwide Professional Development Day | Schools closed for students |
| January 28, 2027 | Thursday | Second Quarter Report Cards Distributed | — |
January brings another long weekend with MLK Day. The second quarter ends January 15 with early dismissal, followed by a four-day weekend for students (Friday through Tuesday). Teachers use January 19 for professional development.
February 2027: Mid-Year Push
| Date | Day | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2027 | Wednesday | All Schools Early Dismissal | 3 hours early dismissal for staff professional development |
| February 15, 2027 | Monday | Presidents’ Day | Schools and offices closed |
February is lighter on interruptions. One early dismissal day and Presidents’ Day give families brief breaks.
March 2027: Spring Break Arrives
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, March 10, 2027 | Systemwide Professional Development Day | Schools closed for students; Eid al-Fitr |
| Friday, March 19, 2027 | Spring Break Begins | At end of school day |
| Thursday, March 25, 2027 | Maryland Day | — |
| Tuesday, March 30, 2027 | Schools Reopen | — |
Spring break 2027 runs from March 19 through March 29 when you include weekends. Students return Tuesday, March 30. This is peak vacation planning season—book flights early. Baltimore County schedules spring break to align with many surrounding districts, so expect crowded airports and beaches.
April 2027: Third Quarter Closes
| Date | Day | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2, 2027 | Friday | Third Marking Period Ends | 3-hour early dismissal |
| April 15, 2027 | Thursday | Third Quarter Report Cards Distributed | — |
| April 16, 2027 | Friday | Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten Conference Day | No Pre-K or kindergarten sessions |
| April 19, 2027 | Monday | Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 Conference Day | No Pre-K sessions |
Third quarter wraps up with the usual early dismissal for grade reporting. Early childhood families have conference days mid-month.
May 2027: Senior Sendoff and Memorial Day
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 17, 2027 | Systemwide Professional Development Day | Schools closed for students; Eid al-Adha |
| Friday, May 21, 2027 | Last Day for Seniors | — |
| May 24–29, 2027 | Commencement Exercises | Monday–Saturday |
| Monday, May 31, 2027 | Memorial Day | Schools and offices closed |
Seniors finish May 21, nearly a month before everyone else. Graduation ceremonies span two weekends, May 24-29 and June 1-5. Memorial Day gives all students a three-day weekend before the final push.
June 2027: Final Stretch
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| June 1–5, 2027 | Commencement Exercises Continue | Tuesday–Saturday |
| Tuesday, June 15, 2027 | Assessment Day | Last Day for Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 (Inclement Weather Makeup Day #1) |
| Wednesday, June 16, 2027 | Assessment Day | 3-hour early dismissal; Inclement Weather Makeup Day #2 |
| Thursday, June 17, 2027 | Last Day of School | 3-hour early dismissal; Inclement Weather Makeup Day #3 |
| Friday, June 18, 2027 | Juneteenth Observed | Schools and offices closed |
The final week features early dismissals for assessments. June 15-17 serve as makeup days if weather forces closures during the year. Juneteenth falls on Friday, so even though school ends Thursday, staff get the day off.
See also: Fairfax County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 Printable PDF
July 2027: Summer School
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 2, 2027 | Summer School Employees Report | Staff reporting day |
| Monday, July 5, 2027 | Independence Day Observed | Schools and offices closed |
| Tuesday, July 6, 2027 | Summer School Begins | First day of classes |
| Friday, July 30, 2027 | Summer School Ends | Last day of summer program |
Summer school runs most of July for students who need credit recovery or enrichment.
Key Dates Summary Table
| Event | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day (Grades 1-12) | Aug 31, 2026 | — | Kindergarten starts but no transportation yet |
| First Full Kindergarten Day | Sep 2, 2026 | — | Transportation begins |
| Labor Day | Sep 7, 2026 | — | Schools and offices closed |
| First Quarter Ends | Oct 30, 2026 | — | 3-hour early dismissal |
| Election Day | Nov 3, 2026 | — | Schools and offices closed |
| Thanksgiving Break | Nov 25, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | Early dismissal Nov 25 |
| Winter Break | Dec 23, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | Resumes Jan 4 |
| Second Quarter Ends | Jan 15, 2027 | — | 3-hour early dismissal |
| MLK Jr. Day | Jan 18, 2027 | — | Schools and offices closed |
| Presidents’ Day | Feb 15, 2027 | — | Schools and offices closed |
| Spring Break | Mar 19, 2027 | Mar 29, 2027 | Return Mar 30 |
| Third Quarter Ends | Apr 2, 2027 | — | 3-hour early dismissal |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 | — | Schools and offices closed |
| Last Day (Seniors) | May 21, 2027 | — | Commencement May 24-Jun 5 |
| Last Day (All Students) | Jun 17, 2027 | — | 3-hour early dismissal |
Source: Baltimore County Public Schools official 2026-2027 calendar. Last verified April 2026.
Download the Official Calendar
Need a printable version? Download the official Baltimore County Public Schools 2026-2027 calendar directly from the district:
Download Official BCPS 2026-2027 Calendar (PDF)
Print it out and stick it on your fridge. You’ll reference it constantly.
About Baltimore County Public Schools
Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) is the third-largest school district in Maryland, serving more than 111,000 students across 176 schools, with a teaching staff of over 7,800 educators. The district is headquartered in Towson and offers a broad range of programs, including STAT (Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow) digital learning initiatives, career and technical education pathways, and magnet programs across its elementary, middle, and high schools. The student population reflects students from more than 138 countries who speak nearly 150 languages. Dr. Myriam Rogers has served as superintendent since July 2023; however, she announced her retirement effective June 30, 2026, and the Board of Education is finalizing her successor, who is expected to start July 1, 2026. Parents should watch for leadership-transition announcements heading into the new school year.
What parents in Baltimore County should know this year
The biggest thing to flag for 2026-2027 is the kindergarten transportation gap during the opening week — kindergartners begin on August 31 alongside everyone else, but bus service doesn’t start until September 2, so families need a plan for that first day and a half. Also notable: spring break 2027 (March 19–29) overlaps closely with several neighboring Maryland counties’ breaks, so expect heavier travel demand and pricing around that window. Finally, the last three days of the school year (June 15–17) are built-in inclement weather makeup days — if BCPS uses fewer snow days than expected, the year could end earlier than June 17, so it’s worth checking district updates closer to spring.
How Baltimore County compares to neighboring districts
Baltimore County’s spring break (March 19–29, 2027, an 11-day stretch with weekends) lines up close to but not exactly with its neighbors. Anne Arundel County’s Easter/Spring break runs March 26 through April 2, 2027 — about a week later than Baltimore County’s — while Harford County’s spring break runs March 25 through April 5, 2027, overlapping with both. On the calendar bookends, Baltimore County and Harford County both start students on August 31, 2026, and both end on June 17, 2027 (with early dismissal), whereas Anne Arundel starts earlier on August 24, 2026, and finishes earlier on June 11, 2027. So while the school years are roughly similar in length, families straddling these counties will notice staggered breaks rather than fully aligned ones.
Planning a family trip? Best times to travel in Baltimore County
Spring break is your best bet for a longer getaway — March 19 through March 29, 2027 gives families 11 days including weekends, making it ideal for a beach trip, visit to relatives, or even an international trip if flights are booked early (note that since this window overlaps with neighboring counties’ breaks, prices and crowds will be higher, so book as soon as dates are confirmed). Winter break is the next-best option, running December 23, 2026 through January 3, 2027 — nearly two full weeks, perfect for holiday travel. For shorter trips, the three-day weekends around Labor Day (September 5–7), Thanksgiving (November 26–29), MLK Day (January 16–18), Presidents’ Day (February 13–15), and Memorial Day (May 29–31) work well for quick regional getaways.
School closings history in Baltimore County
Baltimore County builds inclement weather makeup days directly into its calendar rather than tacking them onto the end of the year — for 2026-2027, the final three scheduled days (June 15–17) serve this purpose. In a typical winter, BCPS uses somewhere between 1 and 4 weather-related closures or delays, though severe winters (like several in the past decade) have pushed the district to use all built-in makeup days and occasionally extend the school year slightly. The district announces closures and delays by 5:30 AM via its alert system, website, and local news broadcasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does school start in Baltimore County Public Schools for 2026-2027?
School starts Monday, August 31, 2026, for students in grades 1-12. Kindergarten students also begin August 31, but their first full day with transportation is Wednesday, September 2. Teachers report August 24 for professional development and classroom prep.
Q: When is the last day of school for Baltimore County Public Schools?
The last day of school is Thursday, June 17, 2027, with a 3-hour early dismissal. Seniors finish earlier on Friday, May 21, 2027. June 15-17 are designated as inclement weather makeup days, so if the district uses snow days, the calendar could extend.
Q: When is spring break for Baltimore County Public Schools in 2027?
Spring break 2027 begins Friday, March 19, at the end of the school day and runs through Monday, March 29. Students return Tuesday, March 30. That gives families an 11-day break when you count the weekends—perfect for a beach trip or visiting relatives.
Q: How many school days does Baltimore County have this year?
Baltimore County schedules 180 instructional days for students in the 2026-2027 school year. This meets Maryland state requirements. Teachers work additional days for professional development and planning that don’t count toward the 180 student days.
Q: Are there any school closings or delays I should know about?
For real-time closings due to weather or emergencies, check the Baltimore County Public Schools website or sign up for BCPS alerts. The district announces delays and closures early in the morning, typically by 5:30 AM. Local news stations also broadcast school closings.
Q: What are the early dismissal days?
All schools dismiss three hours early on these dates: October 30, January 15, February 10, April 2, November 25, June 16, and June 17. These early dismissals happen for teacher grade reporting, professional development, or holiday breaks. Make childcare arrangements ahead of time.
Q: When do report cards come out?
Report cards are distributed four times: November 12 (first quarter), January 28 (second quarter), April 15 (third quarter), and after school ends in June (fourth quarter). Expect the final report card to arrive by mail or online portal.
Important Notes for 2026-2027
Early Dismissals: Baltimore County schedules multiple 3-hour early dismissals throughout the year. October 30, January 15, April 2, and the final week in June all feature shortened days. Working parents should plan ahead for pickup or after-school care.
Professional Development Days: Students stay home while teachers attend training on September 21, October 16, January 19, March 10, and May 17. Some of these align with religious holidays (Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha) when teacher attendance is optional.
Conference Days: Elementary families get November 16 off for conferences, while middle and high schools remain open. Pre-K families have separate conference days in November and April with no sessions for younger students.
Inclement Weather Makeup Days: The final three days of school (June 15-17) are built-in makeup days. If Baltimore County doesn’t use any snow days, these dates still stand as the end of the year. If the district closes due to weather, instruction extends accordingly.
Kindergarten Transportation: This trips up new families every year. Kindergarten starts on August 31, but buses don’t run for kindergarteners until September 2. You’ll need to provide transportation for that first day and a half.
Plan Ahead for Peak Dates
Smart families book spring break travel the moment dates are announced. March 19-30, 2027, will see packed flights and hotels. The same goes for Thanksgiving week—November 25-29 is prime travel time.
Don’t forget the three-day weekends: Labor Day (September 5-7), Thanksgiving (November 26-29), MLK weekend (January 16-18), Presidents’ Day (February 13-15), and Memorial Day (May 29-31). These make great opportunities for short trips or staycations.
Stay Updated
Bookmark this page and check back periodically. School calendars sometimes shift due to weather, emergencies, or district decisions. We’ll update this guide if Baltimore County Public Schools announces changes.
For the absolute latest information, visit the official Baltimore County Public Schools website at bcps.org or call the main office at (410) 887-5555. Sign up for BCPS text alerts to get closure notifications sent directly to your phone.
The 2026-2027 school year brings 180 days of learning, growth, and probably a few forgotten permission slips. With this calendar in hand, you’re ready to tackle it all. Here’s to a great year in Baltimore County schools.
The PublicSchoolsCalendar.com Team compiles and verifies public school calendar data for districts across all 50 US states, drawing on official district websites and published family calendars to keep every page accurate and up to date.