Madison City Schools
Madison
Starts August 6, 2026 on the local board calendar — earlier than many Alabama districts.
AL
2026-2027 Academic Year
Alabama School Calendar 2026-2027
School year dates, holidays, and breaks for Alabama students, parents, and teachers.
AL · 2026-2027 Academic Year
Alabama School Calendar 2026-2027
School year dates, holidays, and breaks for Alabama students, parents, and teachers, with district verification notes.
Quick Answer for Families
When does school start and end in Alabama for 2026-2027?
First Day
Aug 10, 2026
Use for back-to-school planning.
Last Day
May 21, 2027
May shift with make-up days.
Spring Break
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Confirm with your local district.
District calendars can differ. Always verify final dates with your local school district before booking travel or childcare.
Printed planning copy: Alabama School Calendar 2026-2027
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source: https://www.alsde.edu
Before relying on this printed copy, confirm teacher workdays, early release days, and make-up day rules with your local district.
Alabama School Holidays 2026-2027
Federal HolidayLabor Day
Sep 7, 2026
Federal HolidayVeterans Day
Nov 11, 2026
School BreakThanksgiving Break
Nov 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026
School BreakWinter Break
Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Federal HolidayMartin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan 18, 2027
Federal HolidayPresidents Day
Feb 15, 2027
School BreakSpring Break
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Federal HolidayMemorial Day
May 31, 2027
At-a-glance timeline
Key Dates for Alabama School Year 2026-2027
Quick answers for first day, spring break 2027, last day, and required instruction time.
Aug-May
Starts Aug 10, 2026
Ends May 21, 2027
First Day
Aug 10, 2026
Spring Break
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Last Day
May 21, 2027
Instructional Days
180 days
Note: Madison City Schools starts August 6, 2026. Mobile County Public Schools starts August 10, 2026. Alabama requires 180 days. Verify with your local district.
Official source tracker
How to verify Alabama school calendar dates
Statewide school calendar pages are planning references. Local districts may publish different first day, break, holiday, teacher workday, and make-up day schedules, so final dates should be verified with the district that serves your address.
Use the official source as a planning reference, then confirm district-specific start dates and breaks.
Major Alabama districts to check
Use these local sources when your city or county calendar matters.
Official ↗
Mobile County Public Schools
Mobile
Large coastal district aligned near August 10, 2026 for the planning reference start.
Jefferson County Schools
Jefferson County
Major Birmingham-area system; confirm local break and make-up day schedules.
About Alabama School Year 2026-2027
Alabama's public school system is administered by the Alabama State Department of Education and requires a minimum of 180 instructional days per school year. The state is notable for its early academic calendar, with most districts beginning instruction in early August, making it one of the earliest-starting states in the nation. This schedule allows the first semester to conclude before the winter holiday break and provides additional instructional time before state standardized testing in the spring. Alabama observes all federal holidays, and schools typically schedule breaks for Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring. A distinctive feature of Alabama's holiday calendar is the observance of Confederate Memorial Day and other state-specific holidays, though these vary by district and are not universally observed as school holidays. The Alabama State Department of Education sets curriculum standards and oversees accountability measures, while individual county and city school systems manage day-to-day operations. The state has made notable investments in career and technical education, STEM programs, and early childhood initiatives. Families in Jefferson County, Mobile County, and other large districts should verify their specific school calendar, as local boards may adjust dates for professional development or weather-related make-up days.
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source (Alabama State Department of Education)Related planning guides
Plan beyond the Alabama calendar
School Holidays 2026-2027
Compare Alabama school holidays with all states
Winter break: Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Spring Break 2027
Find Alabama spring break context
Spring break: Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
First Day of School 2026
Compare Alabama first day of school
First day: Aug 10, 2026
Official Sources
Check Alabama official source context
Source tracker and verification notes
Compare States
Compare Alabama with other states
First day, last day, breaks, and instruction time
Printable Planning
Print and annotate the Alabama calendar
Use the state page with your district calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Alabama for 2026-2027?
The Alabama school calendar lists Aug 10, 2026 as the planning reference for the first day of school in 2026. Local districts may approve different start dates, so confirm with your district calendar.
When is the last day of school in Alabama 2026-2027?
The last day of school for Alabama in the 2026-2027 school year is listed as May 21, 2027. The final date can move if a district adds weather or emergency make-up days.
When is winter break in Alabama for 2026-2027?
Winter Break in Alabama is listed as Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. District calendars can still vary around teacher workdays, early release days, and local holidays.
When is Spring Break in Alabama 2027?
Spring Break in Alabama is listed as Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027. Some districts may choose a different spring break week, especially in large metro areas.
When is Thanksgiving break in Alabama for 2026?
Thanksgiving Break in Alabama is listed as Nov 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026. Many districts close for Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, but local calendars should be verified.
How many school days are in Alabama for 2026-2027?
Alabama requires 180 days for the 2026-2027 school year.
Are Alabama school calendar dates the same in every district?
No. Alabama school calendar dates can vary by district because local boards approve their own calendars within state requirements. Use this page as a planning guide, then verify exact dates with your district.