Montgomery County Public Schools is seeking input from the community as it works to adjust the 2026-2027 school calendar to comply with new state requirements.
In a survey recently shared with staff and the community, MCPS outlined that Maryland now requires all school systems to end the school year before Juneteenth on June 19. At the same time, districts must also build in additional flexibility for inclement weather closures, creating new constraints on how the academic calendar can be structured. Officials said the combination of those requirements significantly limits available options for the upcoming school year.
The survey presents three primary approaches for consideration. One option would move the start of the school year earlier in August 2026, with students potentially returning the week of August 17 and staff as early as August 10. Another option would reduce the length of Winter Break and or Spring Break. A third option would designate certain religious observance days as potential make-up days for weather-related closures.
Community members are being asked to select one or more of the options and provide feedback on their preferences, with MCPS emphasizing the need to balance instructional time, operational impacts, and community needs.
The feedback will help guide decisions on how to structure the 2026-2027 calendar as the district works to meet state mandates while maintaining a schedule that works for students, staff, and families.
