Dear PSD Community,
At the Dec. 9, 2025 Board of Education meeting, the board approved the school calendar for the 2026-27 academic year. We want to ensure families and staff are aware of the changes, particularly the later start to the school year, so you can plan ahead.
2026-27 School Calendar Important Dates
The calendar reflects feedback from employees, families, and past community surveys, as well as state requirements and PSD’s employee agreement. Key updates include:
- A later first day of school for all students: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026
- The 2026-27 school calendar pushes the start of school later by one week. Beginning later helps reduce potential heat-related impacts at a time when temperatures in early August can be highest. Staff will begin the year with several non-student days clustered in mid-August for planning, professional learning, and building preparation.
- A transition day is scheduled for 6th and 9th graders on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
- Fall break and winter break
- The calendar preserves a five-day fall break in November and a two-week winter break in December—both consistently identified as community priorities.
- Non-student contact days spaced strategically
- Workdays, professional learning days, and exchange days are grouped to ease childcare challenges, support staff professional learning, and balance instructional time across semesters. Elementary-specific days are included for conferences and end-of-year preparation, while secondary schools maintain consistent semester transitions.
- Semester timing designed to meet state requirements
- The first semester will run Aug. 19 through Dec. 18 to ensure the semester ends before winter break.
A full overview of the non-student contact days, including building/work (B/W) days, workdays, conference days, and professional learning days, is available in the attached materials.
What comes next
The calendar will be published on the PSD website in January. School- and department-specific calendars will follow in the spring.
Thank you for your partnership as we plan ahead for the 2026-27 school year.
Poudre School District
