As summer winds down and kids get ready to head back to school, here are dates Harford County parents should know for the new school year.
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HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Backpacks are being bought and school supplies gathered up as families start preparing to send their students back to school.
The first day of class for first through 12th grade Harford County Public Schools students will be Aug. 31.
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Kindergartners start with half a day of class on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2, followed by a full day of class Sept. 3.
Pre-kindergarteners start with half a day of class Sept. 8 and Sept. 9, followed by a full day of class Sept. 10.
There are a host of other important dates parents and guardians should make note of for the 2026-2027 school year. Patch has compiled them below.
Important Dates For HCPS Students
- Aug. 31 - first day of school for grades 1st through 12th
- Sept. 1 - half-day gradual entrance for kindergartners
- Sept. 2 - half-day gradual entrance for kindergartners
- Sept. 3 - first full day for kindergartners
- Sept. 7 - schools and offices closed
- Sept. 8 - pre-kindergarten half-day gradual entrance
- Sept. 9 - pre-kindergarten half-day gradual entrance
- Sept. 10 - pre-kindergarten first full day
- Sept. 21 - schools closed to students for staff professional development
- Oct. 15 - three-hour early dismissal for students
- Oct. 16 - schools closed to students for staff professional development
- Oct. 30 - three-hour early dismissal for students
- Nov. 2 - schools closed to students for staff professional development
- Nov. 3 - schools and offices closed
- Nov. 5 - end of first quarter
- Nov. 11 - schools and offices closed
- Nov. 25 - three-hour early dismissal for schools and offices
- Nov. 26 - schools and offices closed
- Nov. 27 - schools and offices closed
- Dec. 23 - schools closed to students for staff professional development
- Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 - schools and offices closed
- Jan. 18 - schools and offices closed
- Jan. 28 - end of second quarter
- Jan. 29 - three-hour early dismissal for students
- Feb. 15 - schools and offices closed
- Feb. 26 - three-hour early dismissal for students
- March 1 - schools and offices closed unless this day is needed for an inclement weather make-up day
- March 22 through March 29 - schools and offices closed
- April 8 - end of third quarter
- April 8 - three-hour early dismissal for students
- April 9 - schools closed to students for staff professional development
- April 12 - schools and offices closed unless this day is needed for an inclement weather make-up day
- May 31 - schools and offices closed
- June 1 - schools and offices closed unless this day is needed for an inclement weather make-up day
- June 15 - last day of school for pre-kindergartners
- June 17 - last day of school for kindergartners through 11th graders with a three-hour dismissal
- June 17 - end of fourth quarter