Montgomery County Public Schools has officially moved the last day of school for students in the 2025-2026 school year to Thursday, June 25, following approval of calendar changes by the Board of Education this week. The changes were shared in the MCPS weekly message on Thursday evening.
The changes were adopted during the Board’s regular business meeting on Thursday, February 19, after multiple weather related closures in late January and early February pushed the school system out of compliance with Maryland’s required 180 instructional days.
Under state regulations, school systems must identify make up days within the calendar and extend the school year before they are eligible to request a waiver. MCPS requested a waiver from the state on February 9, but that request was denied the following day. As a result, the district is required to make up four instructional days.
Earlier this year, MCPS announced that Friday, March 20, 2026, which coincides with Eid al-Fitr, would be converted into an instructional day as part of the make up plan. Under the newly approved changes, March 20 will remain a non instructional day for students and a professional learning day for staff.
To meet state requirements, the Board approved extending the school year by four instructional days. The newly added days are Thursday, June 18 as a full instructional day, Monday, June 22 as a full instructional day, and Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25 as early release days. With those additions, the last day of school for most MCPS students will now be June 25.
Friday, June 19 will remain closed for the Juneteenth holiday, and Tuesday, June 23 will remain a non instructional day due to county elections, as many schools serve as polling locations. For Arcola Elementary, which follows an innovative calendar, the last day of school will be June 17.
MCPS said it explored other options but found few alternatives. Non instructional days are tied to federal and state holidays, contractual obligations, break requirements, and religious or cultural observances that would create operational challenges if schools were open. District leaders said honoring those commitments remains a priority.
MCPS also acknowledged the possibility that the school year could still end earlier if pending legislation in the Maryland General Assembly is passed. The proposed bill would allow school systems to meet a minimum number of instructional hours rather than having to make up every missed day. MCPS already exceeds the state’s instructional hour requirements. If the bill becomes law, the district said it would revisit the calendar and adjust the end of the school year accordingly.
District leaders noted that extending the school year carries financial and logistical impacts, including an estimated cost of $2.1 million per make up day and reduced time for summer maintenance projects. State and national assessment schedules will not change and are expected to be completed well before June 25.
MCPS said it recognizes the disruption the calendar changes may cause for families and staff but emphasized that extending the school year is currently the only option to remain in compliance with state law. The district added that it is continuing to monitor upcoming weather closely with snow possible on Sunday.
