The 2025-2026 student calendar is now available. Important dates include:

• First day of school for grades 1-12: Sept. 3, 2025
• First day of school for kindergarten: Sept. 8, 2025
• Winter break: Dec. 22, 2025 - Jan. 2, 2026
• Spring break: April 6-10, 2026
• Last day of school for all students: June 17, 2026

View the 2025-2026 student calendar
View current student calendars

Student calendar survey results for the next three school years

All families and staff were asked to provide their feedback on the student calendar for the next three school years. The results helped inform the 2025-2026 calendar. Survey results:

Respondents: 5,597
Dates: December 2-20, 2024

1. What is your connection to Tacoma Public Schools?
   Parent/Guardian = 3990
   Employee = 1925
   Student = 209
   Community Partner = 67
    
2. The timing of the first day of school has a direct impact on the timing of the last day of school. Help us understand your calendar preferences.
   I would prefer to start earlier in the fall and finish earlier in the spring = 3388
   I would prefer to start later in the fall and finish later in the spring = 1143
   No preference = 1027
   Other = 2
    
3. When should snow makeup days occur?
   February = 679
   May = 658
   February and May = 3238
   After the last day of school = 964
   Other = 1
    
4. How long should winter break be?
   5 school days (1 week) = 603
   10 school days (2 weeks) = 4603
   No preference = 365
   Other = 2
    
5. When should spring break be?
   Last week of March = 683
   First week of April = 2423
   Second week of April = 1183
   No preference = 1286
   Other = 2
    
6. Any additional comments or feedback regarding future Tacoma Public School calendars? The following is a summary of the most commented topics and featured responses.

Calendar end-dates (351 comments)

Having Juneteenth as a day off of school and then returning for a day or two afterward is silly. If the idea is to observe the holiday, rest assured that we will educate about and observe the holiday with our students.  - Employee​

Coming back to school for a day or a 1/2 day following June 19 or ending on a Monday at the end of the year does not make sense for families.  - Parent/Guardian​

As a teacher in the self-contained classroom it is very difficult for our students to come back after Juneteenth.  - Employee​

While I appreciate the recognition of Juneteenth, having just 1 day or just one half day after it is a waste - our attendance is low, students are done.  - Employee​

Try to have school end before Juneteenth so they don’t have a random day off then go back for one day of school.  - Parent/Guardian

Late-State Wednesdays (140 comments)

Early release on Friday instead of late start Wednesday. Late start each week has a profound impact on working families without childcare resources.  - Parent/Guardian​

Get rid of late start Wed to keep schedules consistent for the kids in the morning.   -Parent/Guardian​

Get rid of late start Wednesdays. Late starts is the most disruptive to special ed students. If the time is still needed, data has shown that early dismissal is less disruptive to the day. -  Parent/Guardian & Employee

Coordinating calendars with surrounding districts (100 comments)

Our TPS calendar rarely coincides with other schools/districts in the surrounding area - this year it's extremely challenging.  As a parent with one student in the district and another child in a different system, our schedules are completely opposite. - Employee & Parent/Guardian​

School year start and end times along with Spring and Winter break should be more consistent with neighboring districts.  Friends and family in one district have students and employees in another and not having them match is frustrating.   - Parent/Guardian

Year-Long school (45 comments)

I would love a full year school year with a much shorter summer break and more breaks throughout the year.   - Parent/Guardian​

I support a year round school year with more, but shorter breaks to improve student retention.   - Parent/Guardian & Community Partner​

I would like the district to conduct research and also survey staff and families about year-round school. - Employee

Adding mid-winter break (56 comments)

I think the students should still get a mid winter/longer presidents day break.  -Parent/Guardian​

I would like to suggest adding a mid-winter break during Presidents' Day week. This timing provides a much-needed opportunity for both students and staff to rest and recharge during a long stretch of the school year.  - Employee