With summer winding down, Tampa Bay Area families are gearing up for the 2026-27 school year. Start dates, holiday breaks, and early dismissal schedules vary by county, so parents are encouraged to check the specifics for their district.
Citrus County
First day: Aug. 10 | Last day: May 27
Major breaks include Labor Day (Sept. 7), Thanksgiving (Nov. 23-27), Winter Break (Dec. 21-Jan. 6) and Spring Break (March 22-29). Severe weather makeup days are built in for Sept. 23, Oct. 16, Oct. 28, and other dates throughout the fall.
Hernando County
First day: Aug. 11 | Last day: May 28
Students get Labor Day off, along with professional and in-service days in October, Thanksgiving week, Winter Break (Dec. 21-Jan. 4), and Spring Break (March 15-22). Weather makeup days are set for late November and mid-March.
Hillsborough County
First day: Aug. 10 | Last day: May 28
The district’s calendar includes non-student days tied to the Florida State Fair (Feb. 12) and Strawberry Festival (March 8), plus standard holidays including Thanksgiving, Winter Break (Dec. 21-Jan. 4) and Spring Break (March 22-29). The final day of school will be a 2.5-hour early release.
Manatee County
First day: Aug. 10 | Last day: May 27
Breaks include Labor Day, a teacher work day in October, Thanksgiving week, Winter Break (Dec. 21-Jan. 5), and Spring Break (March 15-19). Early dismissal days are scattered throughout the year and vary by school level.
Pasco County
First day: Aug. 13 | Last day: May 28
Pasco starts the latest among Bay Area counties. Students are off for Labor Day, Thanksgiving week, Winter Break (Dec. 21-Jan. 4) and Spring Break (March 22-29), with built-in makeup days in February and April.
Pinellas County
First day: Aug. 11 | Last day: May 27
The district’s Thanksgiving break runs longer than most, from Nov. 21-29, followed by Winter Break (Dec. 19-Jan. 4) and Spring Break (March 13-21). Students will be dismissed two hours early on the final day, May 27.
Polk County
First day: Aug. 11 | Last day: May 27
Polk’s calendar includes a teacher work day in October, Thanksgiving week off, Winter Break (Dec. 21-Jan. 5) and Spring Break (March 15-19), along with the most early dismissal days of any Bay Area district — ten scattered across the year.
Full printable calendars, including complete lists of holidays and early dismissal dates, are available on each district’s website.
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