Dorchester County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027
Complete holiday schedule and key dates for Dorchester County Public Schools for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Key Dates
| Event | Date(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 24, 2026 (Mon) | School Opens |
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 (Mon) | No School |
| Student Holiday | September 25, 2026 (Fri) | No School |
| MSEA Day | October 16, 2026 (Fri) | No School |
| Election Day | November 3, 2026 (Tue) | No School |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 25, 2026 - November 27, 2026 | No School |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027 | No School |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 (Mon) | No School |
| Semester Break | January 22, 2027 (Fri) | No School |
| Semester Break | January 25, 2027 (Mon) | No School |
| Presidents' Day | February 15, 2027 (Mon) | No School |
| Student Holiday | March 8, 2027 (Mon) | No School |
| Spring Break | March 25, 2027 - March 29, 2027 | No School |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 (Mon) | No School |
| Last Day of School | June 4, 2027 (Fri) | School Closes |
Monthly Calendar MarylandSchoolCalendar.com
View the full 2026-2027 school year by month.
Calendar Notes
Dorchester County uses one of the clearest staggered openings on the Eastern Shore. Grades 1-5, 6, and 9 begin August 24, grades 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 begin August 25, and Pre-K and Kindergarten begin August 26. That makes August 24 the first listed student day, but not the first day for every student group, so families with siblings in different grade bands may have three separate start dates.
This page keeps half days and late arrivals visible because Dorchester has many of them. Half days appear on September 15, September 24, October 15, October 30, November 11, November 24, December 10, December 18, January 15, February 10, March 8 for conferences, March 24, April 30, May 13, and the June 4 last day. February 23 and April 14 are two-hour late arrivals rather than early dismissals, which affects morning routines instead of afternoon care.
The scheduled last day is June 4, 2027, with a half day for students and subject-to-change language. Potential make-up days are June 7-9. Dorchester's winter break starts December 21 like several lower Eastern Shore systems, while its March 25-29 spring break is shorter than Queen Anne's and Talbot calendars that extend into April.
- First student day: August 24, 2026, for grades 1-5, 6, and 9
- Last day for students: June 4, 2027, subject to change
- Potential make-up days: June 7-9, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Dorchester County Public Schools begins for grades 1-5, 6, and 9 on Monday, August 24, 2026. Grades 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 begin August 25, and Pre-K and Kindergarten begin August 26.
The official calendar lists Friday, June 4, 2027, as the last day for students and teachers, with a half day for students. The date is subject to change.
Yes. Half days and two-hour late arrivals are included because they affect student schedules and family planning.
The first day of school for Dorchester County Public Schools students is Monday, August 24, 2026. Teachers typically report a few days earlier for staff development. Parents should check the district website for any orientation sessions, supply list deadlines, or staggered-start schedules that may apply to younger grades.
Dorchester County Public Schools Winter Break runs from December 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027 — that's 10 school days off. Including the adjacent weekends, families have up to 16 consecutive days for holiday travel and family time. Students return to class on Monday, January 4, 2027.
Dorchester County Public Schools Thanksgiving Break is November 25, 2026 through November 27, 2026, giving students 3 weekdays off. With the surrounding weekends, families get 5 consecutive days away from school — enough time for out-of-state travel or extended family gatherings.
Dorchester County Public Schools Spring Break is March 25, 2027 through March 29, 2027 - 3 school days off. Including the weekends on either side, families have up to 5 consecutive days for vacation planning. Note that neighboring school systems may have different Spring Break weeks, so coordinate if you have children in multiple systems.
Yes. Dorchester County Public Schools has designated June 7, 2027, June 8, 2027, June 9, 2027 as potential bad-weather make-up days. If no weather closures occur, these days typically remain regular holidays for students. Missed days are handled under Maryland school calendar requirements and local school system guidance.
Dorchester County Public Schools schedules 2 teacher-only or professional development days during 2026-2027 when students do not attend. These include: September 25, 2026 (Parent Teacher Conferences); March 8, 2027 (Half day for students - parent/teacher conferences). On these days, teachers participate in training and curriculum planning while students have the day off. Parents should arrange childcare if needed, as after-school programs may also be closed.
Between the first day (August 24, 2026) and last day (June 4, 2027), Dorchester County Public Schools students have approximately 25 weekdays off for holidays, breaks, and teacher workdays. That leaves roughly 180 potential instructional days across the school year. Maryland school systems generally plan around state instructional-day requirements and local board-approved calendars.
Related Links
About This Calendar
Data Source: Official Dorchester County Public Schools 2026-2027 school year calendar PDF.
Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with Dorchester County Public Schools, the Maryland State Department of Education, or any official school system body. While we strive for accuracy, always verify important dates with the official school system website.