If you are a parent, teacher, or student in Winston-Salem or anywhere in Forsyth County, North Carolina, this is the one page you need to bookmark right now. We have pulled every important date directly from the official Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) 2026-2027 student calendar, and we verified this directly from the WS/FCS official website. Whether you are searching for the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Calendar 26-27 first day of school, looking for a Winston-Salem Forsyth County Calendar 26-27 printable version, or just trying to plan a family trip around spring break 2027, this page has everything in one place.
The 2026-2027 academic year brings some important planning moments — from an August start date to a relatively early last day in May. School runs on an A/B modified schedule this year, which is worth noting if you have middle or high schoolers. We have also included the full monthly breakdown in table format so you can plan week by week. Parents, bookmark this page because we update it quickly when district dates change, so you are never caught off guard by a surprise teacher workday.
At-A-Glance Summary: WS/FCS 2026-2027 School Year
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 10, 2026 (Grades 1–12) |
| Last Day of School | May 21, 2027 |
| Total Instructional Days | 178 Days |
| Semester 1 | 88 Days (Quarter 1: 44, Quarter 2: 44) |
| Semester 2 | 90 Days (Quarter 3: 44, Quarter 4: 46) |
| Next Major Holiday | Labor Day — September 7, 2026 |
| Spring Break 2027 | March 26 – April 2, 2027 |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 4, 2027 |
Key Dates Table: Winston-Salem Forsyth County Calendar 2026-2027
| Event | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Day (Observed) | July 3, 2026 | July 3, 2026 | Holiday — No School |
| First Day of School | August 10, 2026 | — | Students Grades 1–12 |
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 | September 7, 2026 | Holiday — No School |
| End of Quarter 1 | October 9, 2026 | — | End of First Quarter |
| Teacher Professional Day | October 12, 2026 | October 12, 2026 | No Students |
| Teacher Professional Day | November 3, 2026 | November 3, 2026 | No Students |
| Veteran’s Day | November 11, 2026 | November 11, 2026 | Holiday — No School |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 25, 2026 | November 27, 2026 | No School |
| End of Quarter 2 / Semester 1 | December 18, 2026 | — | Last Day of Semester 1 |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 | January 4, 2027 | No School |
| Classes Resume | January 5, 2027 | — | Start of Semester 2 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 | January 18, 2027 | Holiday — No School |
| Teacher Professional Day | February 15, 2027 | February 15, 2027 | No Students |
| End of Quarter 3 | March 9, 2027 | — | End of Third Quarter |
| Teacher Professional Day | March 10, 2027 | March 10, 2027 | No Students |
| Spring Break | March 26, 2027 | April 2, 2027 | No School — 8 Days |
| Last Day of School / End Q4 | May 21, 2027 | — | End of Semester 2 |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | Holiday |
Always double-check and verify calendar dates from the official WS/FCS website at wsfcs.k12.nc.us before making final plans. Dates can change due to weather, board decisions, or other district updates.
Quarter & Semester Breakdown
| Quarter | Start Date | End Date | Instructional Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | August 10, 2026 | October 9, 2026 | 44 Days |
| Quarter 2 | October 13, 2026 | December 18, 2026 | 44 Days |
| Quarter 3 | January 5, 2027 | March 9, 2027 | 44 Days |
| Quarter 4 | March 11, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | 46 Days |
| Semester | Instructional Days |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 (Q1 + Q2) | 88 Days |
| Semester 2 (Q3 + Q4) | 90 Days |
| Total | 178 Days |
Official Holidays — WS/FCS 2026-2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| July 3, 2026 | Independence Day (Observed) |
| September 7, 2026 | Labor Day |
| November 11, 2026 | Veteran’s Day |
| January 18, 2027 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| May 31, 2027 | Memorial Day |
Teacher Professional Days (No Students)
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| October 12, 2026 | No Students — Teacher Workday |
| November 3, 2026 | No Students — Teacher Workday |
| February 15, 2027 | No Students — Teacher Workday |
| March 10, 2027 | No Students — Teacher Workday |
Mark these four dates on your personal calendar now. These are days your kids are home but teachers are in school for professional development. They catch a lot of families off guard.
Major School Breaks — WS/FCS 2026-2027
| Break | Start Date | End Date | Total Days Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Break | November 25, 2026 | November 27, 2026 | 3 Days |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 | January 4, 2027 | 15 Days |
| Spring Break | March 26, 2027 | April 2, 2027 | 8 Days |
Snow Make-Up Days — WS/FCS 2026-2027
If school is cancelled due to weather, the district has pre-scheduled the following make-up days:
| Snow Make-Up Days |
|---|
| December 21–22, 2026 |
| January 4, 2027 |
| February 15, 2027 |
| May 24–28, 2027 |
Note: If no weather closures occur, December 21–22 and January 4 become part of the extended Winter Break, and February 15 remains a Teacher Professional Day.
Download the Official WS/FCS 2026-2027 Calendar (Printable PDF)
Want the official Winston-Salem Forsyth County Calendar 26-27 printable version? You can download the full A/B Modified Start student calendar directly from the district below.
⬇ Download Official WS/FCS 2026-2027 Student Calendar PDF
This is the official Winston-Salem Forsyth County Calendar 2026-27 template released by the district. Print it out and stick it on your refrigerator. It is the easiest way to stay ahead of the year.
See also: What Happens If School Is Cancelled Due to Weather?
About Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) is the fourth-largest school district in North Carolina and the 81st largest in the United States. The district serves approximately 54,984 students across more than 80 schools, spanning Pre-K through Grade 12. WS/FCS is also recognized as the most diverse school district in North Carolina. The district is led by Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC. Notable programs include the Career Center, magnet school offerings, and a strong dual enrollment program that allows high schoolers to earn college credit. The district’s commitment to academic achievement and community engagement makes it a cornerstone of education in the Piedmont Triad region.
What Forsyth County Parents Should Know This Year
A few things stand out about the 2026-2027 calendar that are worth flagging for local families.
First, school starts on August 10, 2026 — that is an early start compared to some neighboring districts. If you are planning a late-summer vacation, August needs to be off the table.
Second, the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Calendar spring break 2027 runs from March 26 through April 2 — a full eight-day break including weekends. That is longer than many counties in the region and gives families a solid travel window.
Third, there are four Teacher Professional Days this year. Two fall in the first half of the year (October 12 and November 3) and two in the second half (February 15 and March 10). The March 10 workday immediately follows the End of Quarter 3 on March 9, giving teachers back-to-back days for grade processing and planning. Make sure your childcare is covered for those four dates.
Finally, this calendar follows an A/B modified start schedule, meaning students rotate between A-day and B-day class schedules. If your child is in Grades 6–12, know their schedule type — it affects what classes they attend on any given day.
How Forsyth County Compares to Neighboring Districts
For families with kids in neighboring districts, here is a quick comparison for the 2026-2027 school year. WS/FCS starts on August 10, 2026, which is earlier than many districts in the Piedmont Triad region. Guilford County Schools, which covers Greensboro and High Point, and Davidson County Schools to the south typically start around the same mid-August window, though exact dates vary year to year. WS/FCS’s spring break of eight days (March 26–April 2) is notably generous compared to some neighboring counties that offer only a five-day spring break. Winter Break in Forsyth County runs 15 days (December 21–January 4), which is on par with most NC districts. If you have family in neighboring counties and are trying to coordinate shared breaks, spring break is your best bet for overlap.
Planning a Family Trip? Best Times to Travel in Forsyth County
Here are the best travel windows based on the official 2026-2027 WS/FCS calendar:
Best for Travel:
- Winter Break (December 21, 2026 – January 4, 2027): This is the longest break of the year at 15 days. It covers Christmas and New Year’s, making it perfect for longer trips or family visits out of state. Keep in mind that December 21–22 and January 4 are designated snow make-up days, so they remain official breaks only if no weather cancellations occur beforehand.
- Spring Break (March 26 – April 2, 2027): Eight days off and spring weather make this the top pick for road trips or theme parks. The Winston-Salem Forsyth County Calendar spring break 2027 window lines up well with Easter weekend, so book early — hotels and flights fill up fast.
- Thanksgiving (November 25–27, 2026): A shorter three-day break, best for regional travel or family dinners close to home.
See also: Sumner County Schools Calendar 2026-2027 | Printable PDF
School Closings History in Forsyth County
Forsyth County sits in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, where winter weather — particularly ice storms — can occasionally disrupt the school schedule. On average, WS/FCS uses between two and four weather-related cancellation days per year, though mild winters have sometimes meant zero closures. The district has pre-scheduled five potential make-up days for 2026-2027 (December 21–22, January 4, February 15, and May 24–28), giving them flexibility if winter hits hard. In notable past years, back-to-back ice events have pushed the last day of school into late May or early June. For real-time closings and delays, always check the WS/FCS website or sign up for district alert notifications.
FAQs
Q: When does school start in Winston-Salem Forsyth County for 2026-2027?
The first day of school for students in Grades 1–12 is August 10, 2026. This applies to all WS/FCS schools following the A/B Modified Start schedule. Mark it on your calendar now — summer ends early in Forsyth County.
Q: When is the last day of school for Winston-Salem Forsyth County in 2027?
The last day of school is May 21, 2027. That date also marks the end of Quarter 4 and the close of Semester 2. If snow make-up days are needed, the extended window runs through May 28, 2027.
Q: When is spring break for Winston-Salem Forsyth County in 2027?
Spring break runs from March 26 through April 2, 2027. That is a full eight-day break. School resumes on April 5, 2027. This is the most-searched date on this page every March, so save yourself the search and bookmark it now.
Q: How many school days does WS/FCS have in 2026-2027?
The district is scheduled for 178 total instructional days — 88 in Semester 1 and 90 in Semester 2. This meets North Carolina’s state requirement for instructional time. Weather make-up days could adjust the calendar if closures occur.
Q: Are there any school closings or delays I should know about in advance?
The district has pre-designated snow make-up days on December 21–22, January 4, February 15, and May 24–28. These will only be used as school days if weather cancellations happen during the year. For unplanned closings, check wsfcs.k12.nc.us or local news for same-day alerts.
Q: What is the A/B Modified Start schedule for WS/FCS?
This is a rotating block schedule used primarily in middle and high schools. Students attend different sets of classes on A-days versus B-days. Check with your child’s specific school for their personal schedule rotation.
Closing — Stay Ahead of the School Year
The Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools Calendar 2026-2027 is a full and well-structured year. With 178 instructional days, four major breaks, and four teacher workdays to plan around, staying organized from the start makes everything easier. Bookmark this page — we update it whenever the district makes official changes. For real-time alerts on delays and emergency closings during the year, visit the official WS/FCS website at wsfcs.k12.nc.us. And if you are coming back to check spring break dates in early 2027, you already know where to find them — right here at the top of this page.
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.
