The Polk County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 provides the important dates that students and families need to plan the academic year in Polk County, Florida. As per the school calendar, August 11, 2026, is the first day of school for students and May 27, 2027, is the last student day, with spring break in March and a full week of fall break in November. The schedule also includes ten early-dismissal days, quarterly grading periods, teacher planning days, and designated storm make-up dates. The school calendar organizes these dates in one place so parents, students, and teachers can plan ahead.
Polk County Public Schools Student Calendar 2026-2027
| Event | Date(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 11, 2026 | School Opens |
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 | No School |
| Teacher staff development and planning | October 16, 2026 | No School |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2026 | No School |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 23 - 27, 2026 | No School |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027 | No School |
| Teacher workday | January 4, 2027 | No School |
| Teacher staff development day | January 5, 2027 | No School |
| MLK Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 | No School |
| Presidents' Day | February 15, 2027 | No School |
| Spring Break | March 15 - 19, 2027 | No School |
| Districtwide no-school day | March 26, 2027 | No School |
| Last Day of School | May 27, 2027 | School Closes |
Extended Time Off
Additional Important Dates
Early Dismissal Schedule
| Early dismissal | Date |
|---|---|
| 1 | Friday, September 4, 2026 |
| 2 | Friday, October 2, 2026 |
| 3 | Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| 4 | Friday, November 20, 2026 |
| 5 | Friday, December 18, 2026 |
| 6 | Friday, January 15, 2027 |
| 7 | Friday, February 12, 2027 |
| 8 | Friday, March 12, 2027 |
| 9 | Friday, April 23, 2027 |
| 10 | Thursday, May 27, 2027 |
Grading Periods and Report Cards
| Academic milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| First grading period ends | October 15, 2026 |
| First-quarter report cards distributed | October 26, 2026 |
| Second grading period ends | December 18, 2026 |
| Second-quarter report cards distributed | January 12, 2027 |
| Third grading period ends | March 11, 2027 |
| Third-quarter report cards distributed | March 30, 2027 |
| Elementary school grades due | May 17, 2027 |
| Last student day and end of second semester | May 27, 2027 |
Polk County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 | Student Holidays
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
February 2027
March 2027
April 2027
May 2027
Calendar Not Yet Released
Polk County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 | Holidays & Breaks has not published the calendar for the Upcoming school year yet. Check back soon, this page will update automatically as soon as the district releases it.
About Polk County Public Schools
Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) is the public school district serving students and families across Polk County in Central Florida, between Tampa and Orlando. The district provides educational opportunities through traditional elementary, middle and high schools, along with specialized programs designed to support different student interests, academic goals and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first day of school for Polk County Public Schools students is Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Middle, K–8 and high school orientation is scheduled for August 5, while elementary school orientation is scheduled for August 6.
The scheduled last day for students is Thursday, May 27, 2027. It is also an early-dismissal day and a potential storm make-up day, so families should confirm the final schedule with the district.
Spring break is scheduled for Monday, March 15, through Friday, March 19, 2027. Students are scheduled to return the following Monday, March 22.
The district's fall break is scheduled for November 23-27, 2026. November 23 and 24 are also listed as potential storm make-up days, which families should consider when planning travel.
The dates for Christmas/winter break are Monday, December 21, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027. Monday, January 4, 2027 is a teacher workday and Tuesday, January 5, 2027 is a Teacher staff development day and both these days are non-student days. Students return to classes on January 6, 2027
Teacher Planning Days and Professional Development
The Polk County instructional calendar includes designated staff development and planning periods throughout the year. These dates are not interchangeable: a teacher workday may mean students stay home, while some early-dismissal days allow students to attend for a part of the day.
Following are the important staff-related arrangements:
- Pre-opening preparation: Teacher staff development and planning activities are scheduled from August 3 through August 10, 2026, with specific morning and afternoon assignments.
- October staff development: October 16 is a no-school day for students, with teacher staff development in the morning and planning time in the afternoon.
- Winter return period: January 4 is a teacher workday, followed by a staff development day on January 5. Students return to classes on January 6.
- Grading deadlines: Teachers have scheduled grade-submission deadlines after grading periods, including March 22 and May 17 for elementary grades.
Teachers and paraeducators should consult the full district calendar and their assigned work schedules for contract-specific requirements. The student calendar alone does not establish every employee’s working hours.
Related Calendars
About This Calendar
Data Source: This calendar is compiled from the official Polk County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 | Holidays & Breaks academic calendar.
Official Source: Visit the Polk County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 | Holidays & Breaks official calendar source.
How We Adapt the Calendar: Florida School Dates converts district calendar documents into a parent-friendly view focused on student attendance, holidays, breaks, and downloadable calendar files.
Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with Polk County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 | Holidays & Breaks or the Florida Department of Education. While we strive for accuracy, always verify important dates with the official district website before making travel, childcare, work, or attendance plans.