Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles
California's largest district and a key source for family planning dates.
CA
2026-2027 Academic Year
California School Calendar 2026-2027
First day of school, holidays, spring break 2027, last day, and district-check notes for California families.
CA · 2026-2027 Academic Year
California School Calendar 2026-2027
First day of school, holidays, spring break 2027, last day, and district-check notes for California families.
Quick Answer for Families
When does school start and end in California for 2026-2027?
First Day
Aug 12, 2026
Use for back-to-school planning.
Last Day
Jun 10, 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: California School Calendar 2026-2027
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source: https://www.lausd.org/calendars
Before relying on this printed copy, confirm teacher workdays, early release days, and make-up day rules with your local district.
California School Holidays 2026-2027
Federal HolidayLabor Day
Sep 7, 2026
Federal HolidayColumbus Day / Indigenous Peoples Day
Oct 12, 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
No SchoolCesar Chavez Day
Mar 31, 2027
Federal HolidayMemorial Day
May 31, 2027
At-a-glance timeline
Key Dates for California School Year 2026-2027
Quick answers for first day, spring break 2027, last day, and required instruction time.
Aug-Jun
Starts Aug 12, 2026
Ends Jun 10, 2027
First Day
Aug 12, 2026
Spring Break
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Last Day
Jun 10, 2027
Instructional Days
180 days
Note: California school start dates vary significantly by district. Some districts start as early as late July, others after Labor Day. Verify with your local district.
Official source tracker
How to verify California 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.
High-demand state. Compare the state reference with major district calendars before planning travel or childcare.
Major California districts to check
Use these local sources when your city or county calendar matters.
Official ↗
San Diego Unified School District
San Diego
Major Southern California district; calendar dates may differ from LAUSD.
Fresno Unified School District
Fresno
Large Central Valley district with locally adopted start and break dates.
Long Beach Unified School District
Long Beach
Large coastal district; verify holidays and non-student days locally.
What to compare on district calendars
- First day of school
- Winter and spring breaks
- Teacher workdays
- Weather make-up days
State-specific planning insight
California calendar planning notes
California has one of the widest ranges of school start dates in the country because local districts have broad calendar flexibility. Families should not assume that Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and smaller districts follow the same start week or break pattern.
Why district dates may vary
- Some California districts begin in early or mid-August, while others stay closer to a traditional late-August schedule.
- Large districts may publish separate calendars for traditional, year-round, magnet, or special-program schools.
- Cesar Chavez Day, local professional development days, and board-approved breaks can vary by district.
Parent planning checklist
- ✓Check whether your school follows a traditional or year-round calendar before comparing dates.
- ✓Confirm fall break, winter break, spring break, and staff development days with the district site.
- ✓If moving within California, compare districts directly because start dates can differ by weeks.
Watch these calendar items
year-round schedulesCesar Chavez Daydistrict staff development daysearly August starts
About California School Year 2026-2027
California operates the largest public school system in the United States, enrolling approximately 6 million students across more than 1,000 school districts. The state requires a minimum of 180 instructional days, though individual districts have considerable flexibility in setting their own academic calendars. As a result, start dates vary widely — some districts begin as early as late July, while others, particularly those following a traditional schedule, start after Labor Day in September. California uniquely observes Cesar Chavez Day on March 31 as a state holiday, honoring the civil rights and labor leader, which may result in a school closure depending on the district. The state's diverse geography and demographics mean that school calendars can differ significantly between urban districts like Los Angeles Unified and San Francisco Unified, suburban districts, and rural communities. California also has a notable number of year-round schools, particularly in high-enrollment areas, which operate on multi-track schedules that differ entirely from the traditional calendar. Families relocating within the state or enrolling children mid-year should confirm calendar details directly with their local district or the California Department of Education.
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source (California education calendars (district examples))Related planning guides
Plan beyond the California calendar
School Holidays 2026-2027
Compare California school holidays with all states
Winter break: Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Spring Break 2027
Find California spring break context
Spring break: Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
First Day of School 2026
Compare California first day of school
First day: Aug 12, 2026
Official Sources
Check California official source context
Source tracker and verification notes
Compare States
Compare California with other states
First day, last day, breaks, and instruction time
Printable Planning
Print and annotate the California calendar
Use the state page with your district calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
When does school start in California for 2026-2027?
The California school calendar lists Aug 12, 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 California 2026-2027?
The last day of school for California in the 2026-2027 school year is listed as Jun 10, 2027. The final date can move if a district adds weather or emergency make-up days.
When is winter break in California for 2026-2027?
Winter Break in California 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 California 2027?
Spring Break in California 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 California for 2026?
Thanksgiving Break in California 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 California for 2026-2027?
California requires 180 days for the 2026-2027 school year.
Are California school calendar dates the same in every district?
No. California 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.