DC Public Schools 2025–26 Calendar: Key Dates, Health Requirements, and Resources

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The new school year is right around the corner for District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), with classes set to begin in late August. Parents and students can now review the key dates, health requirements, and support programs for the 2025–26 academic year.

Key Dates for the 2025–26 School Year

Aug. 25 – First day of school
Aug. 28 – First day for pre-K students
Sept. 1 – Labor Day (schools closed)
Sept. 23–24 – Rosh Hashanah (schools closed)
Oct. 9 – Parent-Teacher Conference Day (no school for students)
Oct. 10 – Professional Development (PD) for staff (no school for students)
Oct. 13 – Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples’ Day (schools closed)
Nov. 3 – Half-day Records, Half-day Wellness (no school for students)
Nov. 11 – Veterans Day (schools closed)
Nov. 26–28 – Thanksgiving Recess (schools closed)
Dec. 22–Jan. 1 – Winter Recess (schools closed)
Jan. 2 – PD for staff (no school for students)
Jan. 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (schools closed)
Jan. 26 – Half-day PD and Half-day Records Day (no school for students)
Feb. 13 – PD for staff (no school for students)
Feb. 16 – Holiday for students
Mar. 12 – Parent-Teacher Conference Day (no school for students)
Mar. 13 – Wellness Day (no school for students)
Apr. 6 – Half-day Records, Half-day Wellness (no school for students)
Apr. 13–17 – Spring Recess (no school for students)
May 25 – Memorial Day (schools closed)
June 5 – Last day for seniors
June 16 – No school for students
June 17 – Last day for students

A full list of days off, early dismissals, and observances is available on the DCPS website.

Health Requirements

Before the first day of school, students must complete:

Annual health physical
Oral health assessment
Required immunizations

Medical forms must be submitted as part of the enrollment process. The full list of required forms can be accessed through the DCPS website.

Meal Programs

DCPS offers several free meal programs for students who qualify for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARM) program, including:

School breakfast
After-school snacks and meals
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Breakfast in the Classroom
Grab and Go and Extended Breakfast
After-School Supper or Snack
Reimbursable Salad Bars

Parents can apply for meal benefits online through the school district’s portal.

Transportation Assistance

Through the Kids Ride Free program, DC students who are District residents can ride Metrobus and Metrorail for free to school and school-related activities using a SmarTrip Card. Cards can be obtained through the student’s school.

With less than two weeks until the first bell rings, DCPS families are encouraged to review the calendar, complete health requirements, and take advantage of meal and transportation programs to ensure a smooth start to the 2025–26 school year.