Polk County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027

Bartow, Florida · from the district's official calendar, checked Sep 29, 2026

The 2027-2028 calendar is already published: see the 2027–28 dates.

• Thanksgiving break: Nov 23–27
• Winter break: Dec 21 – Jan 5
• Spring Break Week - No School: Mar 15–19
• 10 early release days
• 4 possible make-up days

Days off and schedule changes

Every day that changes something for families. Where it says “the district calls it”, that is the district's own wording.

• Sep 4 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 1 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• Sep 7 · MonNo school · Labor DayThe district calls it: “Holiday (Labor Day)”
• Oct 2 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 2 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• Oct 16 · FriNo schoolThe district calls it: “No School for Students / Teacher Staff Development (Morning) / Teacher Planning Time (Afternoon)”
• Oct 30 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 3 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• Nov 11 · WedNo school · Veterans DayThe district calls it: “Holiday (Veterans Day)”
• Nov 20 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 4 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• Nov 23–24 · MonNo schoolThe district calls it: “Storm Make-Up Days as Needed”Possible make-up day
• Nov 25–27 · WedNo school · Thanksgiving breakThe district calls it: “FALL BREAK - STUDENT, Teacher and Paraeducator”
• Dec 18 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 5 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• Dec 21 – Jan 1 · MonNo school · Winter breakThe district calls it: “Winter Break”
• Jan 4 · MonNo schoolThe district calls it: “No School for Students / Teacher Workday”
• Jan 5 · TueNo schoolThe district calls it: “No School for Students / Teacher Staff Development Day / Grades Due / Storm Make-Up Day as needed”Possible make-up day
• Jan 15 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 6 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• Jan 18 · MonNo school · Martin Luther King Jr. DayThe district calls it: “Holiday (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)”
• Feb 12 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 7 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• Feb 15 · MonNo school · Presidents' DayThe district calls it: “Holiday (Presidents' Day)”
• Mar 12 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 8 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• Mar 15–19 · MonNo schoolThe district calls it: “Spring Break Week - No School”
• Mar 26 · FriNo schoolThe district calls it: “No School for Students, Teachers and Paraeducators”
• Apr 23 · FriEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 9 of 10 (Teacher Planning Time)”
• May 27 · ThuEarly releaseThe district calls it: “Student Early Dismissal 10 of 10”Possible make-up day

The 2026-2027 school year at a glance

Other dates

Dates that do not change the school day: grading periods, report cards, orientations.

• Aug 5Orientation · middle and high school onlyThe district calls it: “Student Orientation - Middle, K-8th and High Schools”
• Aug 6Orientation · elementary school onlyThe district calls it: “Student Orientation - Elementary Schools”
• Aug 11First day of schoolThe district calls it: “First Day of School for Students”
• Oct 15Grading period endsThe district calls it: “End of First 9-Week Grading Period (46 days)”
• Oct 19Grading period beginsThe district calls it: “Grades Due / Begin Second Quarter”
• Dec 18Grading period endsThe district calls it: “End of First Semester (86 days) / End of Second Grading Period / Last School Day before Winter Break”
• Jan 6Grading period beginsThe district calls it: “Students Return After Winter Break / Begin Third Quarter”
• Mar 11Grading period endsThe district calls it: “End of Third 9-Weeks Grading Period (45 days)”
• May 27Last day of schoolThe district calls it: “Last Day for Students - Student Early Dismissal / End of Second Semester (94 days)”

Where these dates come from

Nearby districts

• Pinellas County SchoolsFirst day Aug 11, 2026 · last day May 27, 2027
• Pasco County SchoolsFirst day Aug 13, 2026 · last day May 28, 2027
• Brevard Public SchoolsFirst day Aug 10, 2026 · last day May 26, 2027
• Palm Beach County School DistrictFirst day Aug 10, 2026 · last day May 27, 2027
• Volusia County SchoolsFirst day Aug 10, 2026 · last day May 26, 2027
• Hillsborough County Public SchoolsFirst day Aug 10, 2026 · last day May 28, 2027

Polk County Public Schools 2026-2027 · checked Sep 29, 2026 · confirm with the district · source: https://www.polkschoolsfl.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3007318/File/Community/Calendars/2026-2027%20English%20School%20Calendar.pdf