For Baltimore-area families, the difference is especially important: Baltimore City students return Monday, Aug. 24, while Baltimore County students don’t return until Monday, Aug. 31. Baltimore City’s scheduled last day is June 11, 2027, barring calendar changes for inclement weather.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
- Aug. 24 — Schools open for grades 1-5, 6 and 9 only
- Aug. 25 — Schools open for all grades 1-12
- Sept. 7 — Labor Day holiday
- Nov. 23-24 — Schools closed (parent-teacher conferences)
- Nov. 25-27 — Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 24-Jan. 1 — Winter break
- March 26-April 2 — Spring break
- June 11 — Last day of school
Baltimore City Public Schools
- Aug. 24 — Schools open
- Nov. 25-27 — Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 23-Jan. 3 — Winter break
- March 25 — Early dismissal
- March 26-April 4 — Spring break
- June 11 — Last day of school
Baltimore County Public Schools
- Aug. 31 — First day of school for students
- Sept. 2 — First full day of kindergarten (transportation begins)
- Sept. 7 — Labor Day holiday
- Nov. 25 — Early dismissal
- Nov. 26-27 — Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 23-Jan. 3 — Winter break
- March 20-29 — Spring break
- June 17 — Last day of school\early dismissal
Carroll County Public Schools
- Aug. 31 — First day of school for students
- Sept. 7 — Labor Day holiday
- Nov. 25 — Early dismissal
- Nov. 26-27 — Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 23 — Early dismissal
- Dec. 24-Jan. 3 — Winter break
- March 25-29 — Spring break
- June 11 — Last day of school
Harford County Public Schools
- Aug. 31 — First day of school for students
- Sept. 1-2 — Kindergarten half-day gradual entrance
- Sept. 3 — Kindergarten first full-day of school
- Sept. 7 — Labor Day holiday
- Sept. 8-9 — Pre-K half-day gradual entrance
- Sept. 10 — Pre-K first full-day of school
- Nov. 25 — Three-hour early dismissal
- Nov. 26-27 — Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 23 — Schools closed to students (Staff professional development day)
- Dec. 24-Jan. 3 — Winter break
- March 22-29 — Spring break
- June 17 — Last day of school (K-11)\three-hour early dismissal
Howard County Public Schools
- Aug. 24 — First day of school for students
- Aug. 27 — First day of school for Pre-K and Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) students
- Sept. 7 — Labor Day holiday
- Nov. 23-24 — Three-hour early dismissal
- Nov. 25-27 — Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 24-Jan. 3 — Winter break
- March 22-29 — Spring break
- June 8 — Last day of school
Additionally, schools will be closed on Nov. 3 for Election Day.
Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week
Maryland’s annual tax-free shopping week is underway Aug. 9–15, 2026. Qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less are exempt from Maryland’s 6% sales tax. Unlike some states, however, Maryland’s tax holiday does not generally exempt school supplies or electronics.
That makes this week a good time for parents to prioritize school clothes, shoes and other qualifying apparel.
Upcoming events include an Aug. 16 Back 2 School Bash at Charity Church in Baltimore, with free school supplies, haircuts and braids; an Aug. 19 backpack and school-supply giveaway at Randallstown Community Center; and an Aug. 21 Back to School Carnival in Glen Burnie featuring backpacks, haircuts, games and food. Additional events are scheduled Aug. 22 and beyond. Families should verify registration requirements and availability before attending because many giveaways are while supplies last.
