2026-2027 Academic Year
Virginia School Calendar 2026-2027
School year dates, holidays, and breaks for Virginia students, parents, and teachers.
VA · 2026-2027 Academic Year
Virginia School Calendar 2026-2027
School year dates, holidays, and breaks for Virginia students, parents, and teachers.
Quick Answer for Families
When does school start and end in Virginia for 2026-2027?
First Day
Aug 12, 2026
Use for back-to-school planning.
Last Day
Jun 11, 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: Virginia School Calendar 2026-2027
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source: https://www.fcps.edu
Before relying on this printed copy, confirm teacher workdays, early release days, and make-up day rules with your local district.
Virginia 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 Virginia 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 11, 2027
First Day
Aug 12, 2026
Spring Break
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Last Day
Jun 11, 2027
Instructional Days
180 days
Note: Fairfax County Public Schools confirmed August 12, 2026. Virginia districts set their own calendars. Verify with your local district.
Official source tracker
How to verify Virginia 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 Virginia School Year 2026-2027
Virginia's public school system is governed by the Virginia Department of Education and serves students across 132 school divisions, ranging from large urban systems like Fairfax County Public Schools — one of the largest in the nation — to small rural divisions in the Appalachian region. A distinctive feature of Virginia's school calendar is the state law prohibiting public schools from beginning instruction before Labor Day, a policy designed to support the tourism industry and provide families with a full summer. The academic year therefore runs from early September through mid-June, meeting the state's requirement of 180 instructional days. Virginia administers the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments, which are high-stakes standardized tests aligned to state curriculum standards and administered at the end of each school year. These assessments influence school accreditation and can affect student promotion and graduation. Spring break timing varies by division, and some divisions observe additional local holidays. Northern Virginia divisions, particularly those in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, may also observe Inauguration Day in years when a presidential inauguration occurs. Families are encouraged to consult their specific division's calendar for precise dates and any division-specific observances.
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source (Virginia Department of Education)Related planning guides
Plan beyond the Virginia calendar
School Holidays 2026-2027
Compare Virginia school holidays with all states
Winter break: Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Spring Break 2027
Find Virginia spring break context
Spring break: Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
First Day of School 2026
Compare Virginia first day of school
First day: Aug 12, 2026
Official Sources
Check Virginia official source context
Source tracker and verification notes
Compare States
Compare Virginia with other states
First day, last day, breaks, and instruction time
Printable Planning
Print and annotate the Virginia calendar
Use the state page with your district calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Virginia for 2026-2027?
The Virginia 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 Virginia 2026-2027?
The last day of school for Virginia in the 2026-2027 school year is listed as Jun 11, 2027. The final date can move if a district adds weather or emergency make-up days.
When is winter break in Virginia for 2026-2027?
Winter Break in Virginia 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 Virginia 2027?
Spring Break in Virginia 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 Virginia for 2026?
Thanksgiving Break in Virginia 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 Virginia for 2026-2027?
Virginia requires 180 days for the 2026-2027 school year.
Are Virginia school calendar dates the same in every district?
No. Virginia 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.