Agenda Item
b. Approval of 2026-2028 School Calendars ~ Updated 11.3.2025
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Administrator, Superintendent’s Office
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the calendars for the next two school years. This item establishes the school calendars for the school district during the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
Why: Per Board Policy AEA, the Board of Education shall adopt a calendar that includes the date for teachers to report for duty, dates of service for teachers, days of attendance for students, days affecting students and teachers, holidays, and breaks.
Details: The 2026-2028 school calendars contain the following features:
190 teacher-contract days including one evening workday comprised of four conference nights during the year as scheduled by each local school (Each conference night is two hours.)
180 days of instruction
Nine teacher workdays/professional development days
October Fall Break
Thanksgiving Break
Conclude first semester prior to winter break to prevent students from taking final exams or state-mandated tests at the beginning of second semester
One day in January for post planning/pre-planning
February Winter Break
Independent Learner Day - remote school day for students and professional development day for teachers
Two inclement weather days per semester
Spring Break - first full week in April
Last day of school for students before Memorial Day
Post-planning day for teachers before Memorial Day
The Superintendent reserves the right to make determinations deemed to be in the best interest of students and staff in the event of inclement weather or other emergency conditions. Such determinations may include, but are not limited to, school closures, delayed openings, early dismissals, transitions to virtual learning, or implementing inclement weather days as circumstances warrant.
Financial impact: No Financial Impact to the District
Contact: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Administrator, Superintendent’s Office, 678-676-0218,
Mrs. Jennifer Caracciolo, Interim Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, 678-676-0218,
Mr. Jason Kennedy, Deputy Chief of Human Resource Officer, Division of Human Resources, 678-676-0005
Effective: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028
Status: Approved by Office of Legal Affairs
DeKalb County School District
2026-2027 Calendar – First Day of School Monday, August 3, 2026 (PROPOSED)
JULY ‘26 1 New Year’s Day JANUARY ‘27
S M T W Th F S 4 Post/Pre-Planning S M T W Th F S
1 2 3 4 4 Independence Day Day 1 2
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
27-31 Pre-Planning 5 First Day of Second
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Semester 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
18 Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Day
26 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
18 Instructional Days
31
AUGUST ‘26 FEBRUARY ‘27
S M T W Th F S
15 Presidents’ Day
3 First Day of School S M T W Th F S
1 1 2 3 4 5 6
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
21 Instructional Days
16-19 February Break
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 15 Instructional Days 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28
30 31
SEPTEMBER ‘26
S M T W Th F S
MARCH ‘27
7 Labor Day 15 Professional S M T W Th F S
1 2 3 4 5
Development Day 1 2 3 4 5 6
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
22 Instructional Days 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21 Instructional Days
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31
OCTOBER ‘26 5 Teachers’ Virtual
Workday 5-9 Spring Break APRIL ‘27
S M T W Th F S
S M T W Th F S
1 2 3
6-9 Fall Break 5 Inclement Weather Day 1 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6 Inclement Weather Day 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 Indigenous Peoples’ 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Day/Columbus Day 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
25 26 27 28 29 30
17 Instructional Days 17 Instructional Days
NOVEMBER ‘26 3 Independent Learner 27 Last Day of School MAY ‘27
S M T W Th F S Day/Professional S M T W Th F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Development Day 28 Post Planning Day 1
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
23-27 Thanksgiving Break
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
31 Memorial Day
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
23 Inclement Weather Day 1
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
24 Inclement Weather Day 2 19 Instructional Days
29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
16 Instructional Days Total: 91 Instructional Days 30 31
DECEMBER ‘26 JUNE ‘27
S M T W Th F S 18 Last Day of Semester 19 Juneteenth
S M T W Th F S
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 21-31 Winter Break
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
14 Instructional Days 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
27 28 29 30
Total: 89 Instructional Days
First/Last Day of Semester Holiday/Break (Schools Closed)
Teachers’ Workday/Professional Development Day Teachers’ Virtual Workday/Professional Development Day
(Students do not report.) (Students do not report.)
Independent Learner/Professional Development Day Inclement Weather Day