2026-2027 Academic Year
Missouri School Calendar 2026-2027
School year dates, holidays, and breaks for Missouri students, parents, and teachers.
MO · 2026-2027 Academic Year
Missouri School Calendar 2026-2027
School year dates, holidays, and breaks for Missouri students, parents, and teachers.
Quick Answer for Families
When does school start and end in Missouri for 2026-2027?
First Day
Aug 24, 2026
Use for back-to-school planning.
Last Day
May 28, 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: Missouri School Calendar 2026-2027
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source: https://dese.mo.gov
Before relying on this printed copy, confirm teacher workdays, early release days, and make-up day rules with your local district.
Missouri School Holidays 2026-2027
Sep 7, 2026
Nov 11, 2026
Nov 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026
Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Jan 18, 2027
Feb 15, 2027
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
May 31, 2027
At-a-glance timeline
Key Dates for Missouri School Year 2026-2027
Quick answers for first day, spring break 2027, last day, and required instruction time.
Aug-May
Starts Aug 24, 2026
Ends May 28, 2027
First Day
Aug 24, 2026
Spring Break
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Last Day
May 28, 2027
Instructional Days
174 days
Note: Kansas City Public Schools starts August 12, 2026. St. Louis Public Schools and suburban districts start August 24, 2026. Missouri requires 174 days or 1,044 hours.
Official source tracker
How to verify Missouri 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.
About Missouri School Year 2026-2027
Missouri's public school system is administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and encompasses more than 500 school districts serving students across a geographically and demographically diverse state. Missouri is distinctive in that it requires a minimum of 174 instructional days or 1,044 instructional hours per year — slightly fewer days than the 180-day standard common in many other states, though the hourly requirement ensures comparable instructional time. Most Missouri districts begin the academic year in mid-to-late August and conclude in late May. The state administers the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) in spring, which measures student achievement in English language arts, mathematics, and science. Missouri has a strong tradition of local control in education, and individual districts have considerable flexibility in setting their calendars, professional development schedules, and instructional priorities. The Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas contain numerous independent school districts with varying calendars, and both cities have experienced significant school reform efforts in recent decades. Rural districts in the Ozarks and Bootheel regions may schedule breaks differently to accommodate local agricultural and community events. Families should always confirm specific calendar dates with their local district, as break schedules and start dates can differ meaningfully across Missouri's diverse regions.
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source (Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)Related planning guides
Plan beyond the Missouri calendar
School Holidays 2026-2027
Compare Missouri school holidays with all states
Winter break: Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Spring Break 2027
Find Missouri spring break context
Spring break: Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
First Day of School 2026
Compare Missouri first day of school
First day: Aug 24, 2026
Official Sources
Check Missouri official source context
Source tracker and verification notes
Compare States
Compare Missouri with other states
First day, last day, breaks, and instruction time
Printable Planning
Print and annotate the Missouri calendar
Use the state page with your district calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Missouri for 2026-2027?
The Missouri school calendar lists Aug 24, 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 Missouri 2026-2027?
The last day of school for Missouri in the 2026-2027 school year is listed as May 28, 2027. The final date can move if a district adds weather or emergency make-up days.
When is winter break in Missouri for 2026-2027?
Winter Break in Missouri 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 Missouri 2027?
Spring Break in Missouri 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 Missouri for 2026?
Thanksgiving Break in Missouri 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 Missouri for 2026-2027?
Missouri requires 174 days for the 2026-2027 school year.
Are Missouri school calendar dates the same in every district?
No. Missouri 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.