Religious Holiday Addition To Be Considered After PWCS Calendar Approved

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — The Prince William County School Board approved next year's school calendar, but another religious holiday being considered could cause an adjustment.

The first day of school in the approved 2025-2026 calendar is Aug. 19, the same date as the current school year. However, if the school board decides to add another holiday, it may move the first day of school to Aug. 18.

On Tuesday, the school board indicated it would review the PWCS holidays policy and consider adding the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The decision could come in January, resulting in a revised calendar. The Eid ul-Adha holiday is expected to start around sundown on May 26, 2026.

According to the school calendar, religious holiday closure days include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr and the spring break holidays of Easter, Good Friday and Passover. Diwali is a professional development day and day off for students.

Other highlights of the school calendar are a three-day Thanksgiving break (Nov. 26 to 28, 2025), two weeks of winter break (Dec. 22, 2025 to Jan. 2, 2026) and a teacher work day after the spring break (March 30 to April 6, 2026). There are six teacher work days or professional development days, down from seven in the current school year. The last day of school remains June 12 like the current school year.

Under Virginia law, the school year must have 180 days or 990 instructional hours. School year starts before Labor Day are allowed under Virginia law if the school division provides a four-day Labor Day weekend break.