If you have a child in the San Diego Unified School District, this page is your go-to guide for the complete 2026–2027 school year calendar. We verified this directly from the San Diego Unified School District official calendar, adopted by the Board of Education on June 24, 2025. Whether you are a parent planning family vacations, a teacher organizing lesson plans, or a student counting down to spring break, you will find everything you need right here.
The San Diego Unified School District Calendar 26-27 covers an academic year that runs from August 31, 2026, through June 16, 2027. The district serves one of the largest urban school communities in California, and staying ahead of holidays, breaks, and non-instructional days makes a real difference in keeping your household organized. Bookmark this page now — parents who do save themselves at least a dozen frantic search sessions between August and June.
At-a-Glance Summary: SDUSD 2026-27 School Year
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First Day of School | Monday, August 31, 2026 |
| Last Day of School | Wednesday, June 16, 2027 |
| Total Instructional Days | 180 days |
| Labor Day (No School) | September 7, 2026 |
| Fall Break | October 9, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 23–27, 2026 |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 4, 2027 |
| Classes Resume After Winter Break | January 5, 2027 |
| MLK Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 |
| Presidents Day | February 12 & 15, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 22 – April 2, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 |
Key Dates Table: San Diego Unified School District Calendar 2026-2027
| Event | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of School | Monday, Aug 31, 2026 | — | Instructional day for students |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7, 2026 | — | District holiday; no school |
| Fall Non-Instructional Day | Fri, Oct 9, 2026 | — | No school for students |
| Thanksgiving Break | Mon, Nov 23, 2026 | Fri, Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 23–25 non-instructional; Nov 26–27 district holidays |
| Winter Break Begins | Mon, Dec 21, 2026 | — | Non-instructional Dec 21–23 |
| Winter Break Holidays | Wed, Dec 24, 2026 | Thu, Dec 25, 2026 | District holidays |
| Winter Break Non-Instructional | Mon, Dec 28, 2026 | Wed, Dec 30, 2026 | No school |
| New Year’s Eve & Day | Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | District holidays |
| Post-New Year Non-Instructional | Mon, Jan 4, 2027 | — | No school |
| Classes Resume | Tue, Jan 5, 2027 | — | Students return from Winter Break |
| MLK Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 18, 2027 | — | District holiday; no school |
| Presidents Day | Fri, Feb 12, 2027 | Mon, Feb 15, 2027 | Both days are district holidays |
| Spring Break (Non-Instructional) | Mon, Mar 22, 2027 | — | Non-instructional day |
| Spring Break (continued) | Mon, Mar 29, 2027 | Wed, Mar 31, 2027 | Non-instructional days |
| Spring Break (continued) | Thu, Apr 1, 2027 | Fri, Apr 2, 2027 | Non-instructional days |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 31, 2027 | — | District holiday; no school |
| Last Day of School | Wed, Jun 16, 2027 | — | Final instructional day |
Source: San Diego Unified School District Official Academic Calendar, adopted by the Board of Education June 24, 2025.
Always double-check and verify calendar dates from the official SDUSD website before making final plans. Dates are subject to change based on district announcements.
Monthly School Calendar Summary: SDUSD 2026-2027
| Month | Key Events | School Status |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | First Day of School — Aug 31 | School begins Aug 31 |
| September 2026 | Labor Day — Sep 7 | Full month; 1 holiday |
| October 2026 | Non-Instructional Day — Oct 9 | Full month; 1 day off |
| November 2026 | Thanksgiving Break — Nov 23–27 | 5-day break late month |
| December 2026 | Winter Break begins Dec 21 | Break through month-end |
| January 2027 | Classes resume Jan 5; MLK Day Jan 18 | Extended break start |
| February 2027 | Presidents Day — Feb 12 & 15 | 2-day long weekend |
| March 2027 | Spring Break begins Mar 22 | Break continues into April |
| April 2027 | Spring Break ends Apr 2; Classes resume | Strong instruction month |
| May 2027 | Memorial Day — May 31 | Near end of school year |
| June 2027 | Last Day of School — Jun 16 | School year ends mid-month |
Download the Official SDUSD 2026-27 Calendar PDF
You can download the official board-approved academic calendar directly from the district:
Official PDF Download Link: Printable Calendar Download
This is the San Diego Unified School District Calendar 26-27 printable version, approved by the Board on June 24, 2025. Save it, print it, and stick it on your refrigerator.
About San Diego Unified School District
San Diego Unified School District is the second-largest school district in California and one of the largest in the United States. The district serves approximately 100,000 students across more than 220 schools, including elementary, middle, high school, and alternative campuses. SDUSD is known for strong multilingual programs, STEM-focused academies, International Baccalaureate offerings, and robust arts education programs. The district serves one of the most diverse student populations in the nation, reflecting the rich cultural fabric of San Diego County. For current leadership and superintendent information, visit the official district website at sandiegounified.org.
See also: Sarasota County School Calendar 2026–2027 | Printable PDF
What San Diego County Parents Should Know About the 2026-27 Calendar
A few things stand out in the San Diego Unified School District Calendar 2026-27 template that parents should pay attention to early.
Spring recess is scheduled differently from many districts. Students are off on Monday, March 22, return for classes March 23–26, and then have another non-instructional period from March 29 through April 2. Families planning vacations should review these dates carefully because the time off is split rather than being one uninterrupted two-week break.
Second, winter break is longer than many neighboring districts. With classes not resuming until January 5, 2027, families get a solid two-week-plus break from December 21 onward. That is great news for families with relatives out of state.
Third, the San Diego Unified School District Calendar 26-27 first day of school falls on Monday, August 31, 2026 — just one day before September. This is later than some neighboring districts, giving families an extra week of summer.
How San Diego Compares to Neighboring Districts
For families comparing the San Diego Unified School District Calendar 26 27 to neighboring systems, here is a quick picture. Many districts in Riverside County and Orange County begin their academic year in mid-to-late August, sometimes as early as August 12 or 14. SDUSD’s August 31 start date is notably later, giving San Diego families a longer summer. On the end-of-year side, a June 16 finish date is fairly standard for Southern California, though some inland districts wrap up by early June. Spring break timing in SDUSD differs from districts like Sweetwater Union or Chula Vista Elementary, which often have a more consolidated single-week break rather than SDUSD’s split non-instructional day structure.
Planning a Family Trip? Best Travel Windows in San Diego
If you are trying to plan a family vacation around the San Diego Unified calendar, here are the smartest windows:
Winter Break is your longest stretch — from December 21, 2026, through January 4, 2027. That is roughly two weeks. Flights and hotels fill up fast, so book before October.
Spring Break offers the best travel window around the week of March 29 – April 2, 2027. Those five days (Monday through Friday) are all non-instructional days. If you can extend slightly on either side, you can carve out a solid eight-to-nine-day trip.
Thanksgiving Break runs November 23–27 — a solid five-day stretch that works well for shorter domestic trips or visiting family.
Long weekends are scattered throughout the year — Labor Day (Sep 7), MLK Day (Jan 18), Presidents Day (Feb 12–15), and Memorial Day (May 31) all offer three-day weekend opportunities that are lighter on crowds and wallet.
See also: How to Excuse Your Child From School: A Complete Guide for Parents
School Closings History in San Diego
San Diego is not a snow-day district — Southern California’s climate means unplanned closures for weather are extremely rare. Historically, the main causes of unplanned school closures in San Diego County have been wildfire-related air quality events or public health mandates. The 2020 COVID closures were the most significant in recent memory, affecting the entire district for an extended period. Parents are encouraged to follow the district’s emergency notification system and local news during fire season (roughly October through December) when air quality can occasionally trigger short-notice closures.
FAQs
Q: When does school start in San Diego Unified for 2026-2027?
The first day of school for students in the San Diego Unified School District Calendar 26-27 is Monday, August 31, 2026. This applies to the traditional school calendar. Make sure to check your specific school’s website for any campus-level orientations or staggered start schedules for younger grades.
Q: When is the last day of school for San Diego Unified in 2026-2027?
The last day of school is Wednesday, June 16, 2027. This date is confirmed by the board-approved academic calendar adopted on June 24, 2025. Check back closer to June for any potential schedule adjustments.
Q: When is San Diego Unified spring break 2027?
San Diego Unified School District Calendar spring break 2027 is split across two periods. Non-instructional days fall on March 22, 2027, and then again from March 29 through April 2, 2027. For family travel, the week of March 29–April 2 is your best continuous break window.
Q: How many school days does San Diego Unified have in 2026-2027?
The district has 180 instructional days in the 2026-2027 academic year, consistent with California state requirements. This figure is confirmed on the official board-adopted calendar.
Q: Are there any school closings or delays I should know about for 2026-2027?
Beyond the official holidays and non-instructional days listed in this calendar, unplanned closures can occur due to wildfire smoke, extreme heat, or other emergencies. Sign up for SDUSD emergency notifications at sandiegounified.org and follow your local school’s communication channels to stay informed in real time.
Closing
You now have everything you need from the San Diego Unified School District Calendar 2026-2027 in one place. Bookmark this page and come back as the year progresses — we update it when the district releases changes. For real-time closures, delays, or last-minute announcements, always check the official district website at sandiegounified.org, which posts emergency notices faster than any third party. And if you are searching for spring break travel ideas, check back in February and March — that is when the best deals appear and when this page sees the most traffic from San Diego parents doing exactly what you are doing right now.
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.
