'Buzz Of Excitement' Abounds As School Year Starts Soon: Harford County Superintendent

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Students across the county will be dashing out the door Tuesday, Sept. 2, for the first day of class with Harford County Public Schools.

Experts recommend that parents and guardians start switching summer bedtimes to back-to-school bedtimes now. School districts also have resources in place to help students if they're needing assistance in securing school supplies.

Dr. Sean Bulson, superintendent of HCPS, told Patch that school staff are excited and ready to welcome back the students for a new school year.

“There’s a real buzz of excitement across our schools as we get ready to welcome students back. Our teachers, administrators and staff can’t wait to see those first-day smiles. As families prepare, now is a great time to re-establish consistent bedtimes, check school websites for back-to-school updates and talk with your child about what they’re most looking forward to this year. The first days are all about connection, community and getting back into routine—we’re ready for a great year together," Bulson told Patch.

Below are important dates that families should have on their calendar for the 2025-2026 school year:

2025

Sept. 2 - First day of school for students grades kindergarten through 12th

Sept. 4 - Pre-kindergarten students start school

Sept. 23 - Rosh Hashanah - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class.
Oct. 2 - Yom Kippur - schools closed for students while staff has professional development

Oct. 16 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class.
Oct. 17 - schools closed for students for Maryland State Education Association Convention (professional development)

Oct. 31 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class. Nov. 6-7 - schools closed for students for staff professional development Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day - schools and offices closed Nov. 26 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class. Nov. 27-28 - Thanksgiving break - schools and offices are closed Dec. 23 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class. Dec. 24-31 - Winter break - schools and offices are closed

2026

Jan. 1-2 - Winter break - schools and offices closed

Jan. 5 - Schools reopen after winter break

Jan. 16 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class.

Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday observed - schools and offices closed

Feb. 13 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class.

Feb. 16 - President's Day - schools and offices closed

March 27 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class.

March 30 - April 6 - Spring break - schools and offices closed

April 17 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class.

May 22 - 3-hour early dismissal for all students. Half-day pre-kindergarten will not have class.

May 25 - Memorial Day - schools and offices closed

June 10 - Last day of school for pre-kindergarten students (if no inclement weather make-up days are used)

June 12 - last day of school for kindergarten through 11th graders (if no inclement weather make-up days are used) - 3-hour early dismissal for all students

June 15 - Inclement weather make-up date if needed

June 16 - Inclement weather make-up date if needed

June 17 - Inclement weather make-up date if needed

June 18 - Inclement weather make-up date if needed