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.
Reminder: Get back to school essentials here.
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.
About Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools contains 643 schools and 322,809 students, making it the third-largest school district in the United States. CPS serves students across neighborhood, magnet, and selective-enrollment elementary and high schools offering programs in fine arts, world language and culture, dual language, STEM, International Baccalaureate, and classical curricula. The district is led by Superintendent/CEO Dr. Macquline King, who has served as interim CEO since June 2025 and began her three-year contract as permanent CEO on July 1, 2026. CPS operates under an elected Board of Education, with all 21 seats up for election on November 3, 2026.
What Chicago parents should know this year?
There’s nothing unusual about the 2026–2027 calendar compared to recent years — winter break (Dec 21–Jan 1) and spring break (Mar 22–26) fall in their typical windows. The bigger story for families this year is budgetary: CPS faces a potential deficit as large as $1 billion heading into the 2026–27 school year, which could affect staffing, programs, and school-level resources. Parents should also note that the district’s funding formula has shifted away from enrollment-based allocation toward needs-based staffing, which may affect program offerings at some schools. Keep an eye on official CPS communications over the summer for any budget-related updates that could impact your child’s school.
How Chicago Public Schools compares to neighboring districts
CPS’s August 24, 2026 start date and June 11, 2027 end date line up closely with several nearby Cook County districts. Evanston/Skokie School District 65 also starts on August 24, 2026, with spring break the same week (March 22–26, 2027), though its last day for students falls a few weeks later, on June 4, 2027. Neighboring Evanston Township High School District 202 starts earlier, on August 17, 2026 — a week ahead of both CPS and District 65, but its breaks otherwise line up with District 65’s (and by extension CPS’s) schedule. Overall, CPS families with siblings or friends in north-suburban districts will find winter and spring breaks sync up nicely, even if exact start and end dates differ by a week or two.
Planning a family trip? Best times to travel in Chicago
For CPS families, winter break (December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027) is your longest stretch — a full two weeks, ideal for longer or international trips, though flights and hotels around the holidays tend to be pricier. Spring break (March 22–26, 2027) is a solid one-week option and historically sees lower travel costs than winter, making it a better value for a family getaway. Thanksgiving break is only two days (November 26–27), so it’s best for short, local trips rather than travel requiring flights. If you’re flexible, booking spring break travel is generally your best balance of cost and break length.
School closings history in Chicago Public Schools
CPS rarely cancels school entirely for snow or extreme cold, even during severe winter weather — the district has leaned on Remote/E-Learning Days in recent years rather than traditional “snow days,” meaning make-up days are less commonly needed. Note that overall enrollment has been trending downward, with the district now serving about 316,200 students — a factor influencing school-level decisions but not directly tied to weather closures. For real-time closing announcements, CPS notifies families through its School Messenger system and posts updates at cps.edu.
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.
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.