Looking for the Lincoln Public Schools Calendar 26-27? You are in the right place. This guide covers every key date for Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) in Lincoln, Nebraska, for the 2026-2027 academic year. We verified this directly from the Lincoln Public Schools official website and the district’s approved 2026-27 calendar.
I’m a parent too. I know how it goes. You plan a dentist visit, a family trip, or a grandparent’s visit, and then you realize school is in session that day. This page fixes that. You’ll find the first day of school, quarter breaks, Thanksgiving, winter break, the March break most families treat as spring break, and the last day of class.
Every date below comes from the official LPS calendar. No guessing. No filler. We also included a printable PDF download, a month-by-month table, and tips for travel planning.
Parents bookmark this page because it puts the whole Lincoln Public Schools school year on one screen they can check in ten seconds.
At-a-Glance Summary
Here’s the quick version for busy parents.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| District | Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Lancaster County |
| Academic Year | 2026-2027 |
| First day of school | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (Kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade) |
| All K-12 students in session | Thursday, August 13, 2026 |
| First day for PreKindergarten | Tuesday, August 18, 2026 |
| Last day of school | Thursday, May 20, 2027 |
| Total school days | Not listed in the date summary; check the official PDF calendar |
| Spring break (March Quarter Break) | March 8-12, 2027 |
Lincoln Public Schools Calendar 26-27 First Day of School
LPS uses a staggered start. It helps the youngest and newest students settle in.
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, only kindergarten, 6th grade and 9th grade students attend. These are the “transition” grades. Kids starting elementary, middle school, or high school get a calm day with fewer students in the building.
On Thursday, August 13, 2026, all K-12 students are in session.
PreKindergarten starts later. The first day for LPS PreKindergarten is Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Tip from one parent to another: if you have a 6th or 9th grader, use August 12 to walk the building with them. Find the locker. Find the lunchroom. It cuts the first-week nerves in half.
Key Dates Table
This is the master list of major events for the Lincoln Public Schools Calendar 26-27.
| Event | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First day of school | Aug 12, 2026 | Aug 12, 2026 | Kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade only |
| All K-12 students in session | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 13, 2026 | Full student body begins |
| PreKindergarten first day | Aug 18, 2026 | Aug 18, 2026 | LPS PreK starts |
| Labor Day weekend (no school) | Sep 7, 2026 | Sep 8, 2026 | Schools not in session Monday and Tuesday |
| Fall break (October Quarter Break) | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 19, 2026 | Follows last day of 1st quarter (Oct 14) |
| 2nd quarter begins | Oct 20, 2026 | Oct 20, 2026 | Classes resume |
| Thanksgiving break | Nov 25, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | Schools not in session |
| Last day of 2nd quarter | Dec 22, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | End of first semester |
| Winter break (Semester Break) | Dec 23, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | Classes resume Jan 5, 2027 |
| MLK Day | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 18, 2027 | Schools not in session |
| Presidents’ Day | Feb 15, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | Schools not in session |
| Last day of 3rd quarter | Mar 5, 2027 | Mar 5, 2027 | Friday before break |
| Spring break (March Quarter Break) | Mar 8, 2027 | Mar 12, 2027 | 4th quarter starts Mar 15 |
| No school | Apr 5, 2027 | Apr 5, 2027 | Schools not in session |
| No school | Apr 30, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | Schools not in session |
| Last day of school | May 20, 2027 | May 20, 2027 | Last day of class for students |
| Teacher workdays | Not listed | Not listed | Not included in the date summary; see official PDF |
| State testing dates | Not listed | Not listed | Not included in the calendar data; schools share testing windows |
Source: Lincoln Public Schools official calendar.
Month-by-Month Calendar Breakdown
Want to see the full year month by month? This table follows the official LPS 2026-27 calendar exactly.
| Month | Date | Day | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | Aug 12 | Wednesday | First day of class for K, 6th and 9th grade |
| August 2026 | Aug 13 | Thursday | All K-12 students in session |
| August 2026 | Aug 18 | Tuesday | First day for LPS PreKindergarten |
| September 2026 | Sep 7-8 | Monday-Tuesday | Schools not in session |
| October 2026 | Oct 14 | Wednesday | Last day of 1st quarter |
| October 2026 | Oct 15-19 | Thursday-Monday | LPS Quarter Break |
| October 2026 | Oct 20 | Tuesday | First day of 2nd quarter |
| November 2026 | Nov 25-30 | Wednesday-Monday | Schools not in session |
| December 2026 | Dec 22 | Tuesday | Last day of 2nd quarter |
| December 2026 | Dec 23 | Wednesday | First day of LPS Semester Break |
| January 2027 | Jan 5 | Tuesday | Classes resume |
| January 2027 | Jan 18 | Monday | Schools not in session |
| February 2027 | Feb 15 | Monday | Schools not in session |
| March 2027 | Mar 5 | Friday | Last day of 3rd quarter |
| March 2027 | Mar 8-12 | Monday-Friday | LPS Quarter Break |
| March 2027 | Mar 15 | Monday | First day of 4th quarter |
| April 2027 | Apr 5 | Monday | Schools not in session |
| April 2027 | Apr 30 | Friday | Schools not in session |
| May 2027 | May 20 | Thursday | Last day of class for students |
Always double-check and verify the calendar on the official LPS website before booking travel or appointments. Districts can adjust dates for weather or other reasons.
Lincoln Public Schools Calendar 26-27 Printable PDF Download
Many parents like a paper copy on the fridge. Teachers like one taped inside a planner. Here is the official calendar file.
Download the official Lincoln Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 printable PDF here: Printable Calendar Download
How to use it:
- Print it in color so break days stand out.
- Circle your family’s key dates, like birthdays and trips.
- Keep a second copy in the car or work bag.
Looking for a Lincoln Public Schools Calendar 2026 27 template? The PDF works as a template too. Print a blank copy and add your kids’ activities, sports practices and club meetings by hand. It becomes a family planner built around the school year.
See also: School Holiday List 2026–2027 USA: Complete Guide for Every Family
Lincoln Public Schools Calendar Spring Break 2027
This is the most searched date every year. LPS does not call it “spring break” on the calendar. It is the March LPS Quarter Break.
For 2027, the March Quarter Break runs Monday, March 8, to Friday, March 12, 2027. The 3rd quarter ends Friday, March 5. Students return Monday, March 15, for the start of the 4th quarter.
Count the weekends and families get nine days in a row off, from Saturday, March 6, through Sunday, March 14. That is a solid window for a trip.
There are also two single no-school days later in spring: Monday, April 5, and Friday, April 30, 2027. The April 30 date creates a three-day weekend.
About Lincoln Public Schools
Lincoln Public Schools is the public school district for Lincoln, Nebraska’s capital city. As of October 1, 2025, LPS reported 41,940 students in PreK through 12th grade, making it one of the largest districts in the state. Federal school data lists about 65 schools in the district. The district has added two new high schools in recent years, Lincoln Northwest and Lincoln Standing Bear, built through the 2020 bond issue to ease crowding. Lincoln Standing Bear graduated its first senior class in 2026. Dr. John Skretta leads the district as superintendent. The Lincoln Board of Education named him to the role in September 2025 after he served as interim superintendent. He began his career as an LPS teacher at Northeast High School in 1995.
What Parents in Lancaster County Should Know This Year
A few things stand out in the 2026-27 calendar.
First, the October Quarter Break is long. It runs Thursday, October 15, through Monday, October 19. That’s five days off in a row with the weekend. Many districts only give one or two days in October. Second, Labor Day is a two-day break this year. Schools are closed both Monday, September 7, and Tuesday, September 8. Third, Thanksgiving break starts Wednesday, November 25, and runs through Monday, November 30. Kids return on Tuesday, December 1. That’s six days straight.
Fourth, winter break is generous. It starts December 23 and classes resume Tuesday, January 5, 2027. That gives families nearly two full weeks. Finally, the school year ends early. The last day of class is Thursday, May 20, 2027. Plan summer camps and childcare with that date in mind.
How Lincoln Public Schools Compares to Neighboring Districts
LPS lines up closely with nearby Lancaster County districts, but with longer breaks. Norris School District starts on August 13, 2026, and lists its last day as May 19, 2027, according to published calendars for Norris. Norris gives a Thanksgiving break of November 25-27 and a winter break of December 21 through January 1. School District 145 in Waverly also begins on August 12, 2026, for 6th and 9th grades, much like LPS. Its published calendar shows separate no-school days in mid-March and a short spring break of March 26-29, 2027. The big difference: LPS bundles its time off into full-week quarter breaks in October and March, while neighbors spread single days across the year. Families with kids in two districts should compare both official calendars carefully.
See also: Berkeley County Schools Calendar 2026-2027 | Printable PDF
Planning a Family Trip? Best Times to Travel in Lancaster County
If you’re planning a getaway, these are your best windows.
| Break | Dates | Days Off (incl. weekends) | Travel Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Semester Break | Dec 23, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 | 13 days | Best for long trips |
| March Quarter Break (Spring Break) | Mar 6 – Mar 14, 2027 | 9 days | Great for warm-weather trips |
| Thanksgiving Break | Nov 25 – Nov 30, 2026 | 6 days | Good for family visits |
| October Quarter Break | Oct 15 – Oct 19, 2026 | 5 days | Good for short trips |
| Labor Day Break | Sep 5 – Sep 8, 2026 | 4 days | Quick weekend getaway |
Winter break is the longest. It’s ideal for visiting family out of state. The March break is the best bet for a beach or theme park trip. Book flights early, because many Midwest districts break in March too.
The October break is underrated. Crowds are lower, prices often drop, and fall weather is pleasant across much of the country.
School Closings History in Lincoln Public Schools
Nebraska winters are tough, and LPS does close for severe weather. In the 2024-25 school year, LPS canceled classes several times, including January 21, February 12, March 5 and March 19, 2025, for extreme cold, snow and a blizzard, yet the district stayed within required instructional hours and did not add makeup time. In 2025-26, LPS closed during a dangerous January cold snap and again on Friday, February 20, 2026, after a winter storm.
The district says it tries to stay open whenever possible. Closures are posted at lps.org/closings.
FAQs
Q: When does school start in Lincoln Public Schools for 2026-2027?
A: School starts on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, for kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade students. All K-12 students attend starting Thursday, August 13, 2026. PreKindergarten begins Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Q: When is the last day of school for Lincoln Public Schools?
A: The last day of class for students is Thursday, May 20, 2027. Summer break begins right after. Plan camps and childcare from that date.
Q: When is spring break for Lincoln Public Schools in 2027?
A: LPS calls it the March Quarter Break. It runs Monday, March 8, through Friday, March 12, 2027. Students return Monday, March 15, for the 4th quarter.
Q: How many school days does Lincoln Public Schools have this year?
A: The total count of student days is not listed in the date summary we verified. Check the official printable PDF calendar or contact your school office for the exact number. We will not guess a number that could be wrong.
Q: Are there any school closings or delays I should know about?
A: No weather closings have been announced for 2026-27 as of October 14, 2026. LPS posts closings at lps.org/closings and through local news. Sign up for district alerts so you hear first.
Final Thoughts
Bookmark this page so the Lincoln Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 is always one tap away. For real-time closings and weather updates, check the official LPS website at lps.org. Come back in March, when spring break searches peak and families start locking in travel plans. We keep this page updated so you don’t have to dig through district documents.
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.
