'Make Every Second Count' Howard County Schools Supervisor Advises Students, Staff

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Students across the county will be dashing out the door Monday, Aug. 25, for the first day of class with Howard County Public Schools. Pre-K/RECC students will start Thursday, Aug. 28.

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

Bill Barnes, superintendent for the Howard County Public School System, told Patch that staff is hard at work gearing up for the big day next week.

"Monday marks day 1 of the 180-day school year, and we are putting the final touches on preparations for the return of students. It is my hope and expectation that all students and staff get a good night sleep, travel safely to school, keep cell phones away and we have a productive first day. Our time each year is limited so we all must make every second count. I wish everyone a healthy, safe and productive school year," Barnes told Patch.

Families can find their bus pickup and drop-off times in the HCPSS online bus locator.

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

2025

August 25 - First day of school for K–12 students
August 28 - First day of school for pre-K/RECC students
September 1 - Schools and offices closed
September 17 - Schools close 3 hours early for professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
September 23 - Schools and offices closed
October 2 - Schools and offices closed
October 17 - Schools closed for students – professional work day/MSEA Convention
October 20 - Schools and offices closed
October 31 - Schools close 3 hours early – Professional Work Day. No half-day Pre-K/RECC.
November 12, 2025 Schools close 3 hours early for professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
November 24–25 - Schools close 3 hours early for elementary and middle school parent/teacher conferences and high school professional learning. No half-day Pre-K/RECC.
November 26 - Schools closed for students – parent/teacher conferences
November 27–28 - Schools and offices closed
December 24-25 - Schools and offices closed

2026

January 1–2 - Schools and offices closed

January 19 - Schools and offices closed
January 22 - Schools close 3 hours early for professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
January 23 - Middle and high schools only close 3 hours early. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
January 26 - Schools closed for students for professional work day
February 4 - Schools closed for students for countywide professional learning day
February 5–6 - Elementary schools only close 3 hours early for parent/teacher conferences. No half-day Pre- K/RECC.
February 16–17 - Schools and offices closed
March 3 - Schools close 3 hours early for professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
March 20 - Schools closed for students for professional work day
March 30–April 6 - Schools closed for spring break
April 3 & 6 - Schools and offices closed
April 15 - Schools closed for students for professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
May 14 - Schools close 3 hours early for school-based professional work day. No half-day Pre-K/RECC.
May 25 - Schools and offices closed
May 27 - Schools and offices closed
June 8 - Schools close 3 hours early for professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
June 11 - Schools close 3 hours early for school-based professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
June 12 - Schools close 3 hours early for a professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
June 15 - Schools close 3 hours early on last scheduled day of school for a professional learning/work and wellness day. No half-day pre-K/RECC.
June 19 - Schools and offices closed