When does school start for DC public schools?

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WASHINGTON - Attention parents, it's that time again!

The first day of school is less than two weeks away in Washington, D.C., which means it's time to get ready for the year ahead.

Here's a guide to everything you need to know for the 2025-26 District of Columbia public school year, including key dates and health requirements, along with meal and transportation information:

DC public school calendar

What we know:

The District of Columbia Public Schools will welcome students at the end of August. Here are some dates to keep in mind:

August 25: First day of school
August 28: First day of school for pre-K students
September 1: Schools closed for Labor Day
October 9: Schools closed for Parent-Teacher Conference Day
October 10: PD for staff/ no school for students
October 13: Schools closed for Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples' Day
November 3: Half-day records and half-day wellness/ no school for students
November 11: Schools closed for Veterans Day
November 26-28: Schools closed for Thanksgiving Recess
December 22-January 1: Schools closed for Winter Recess
January 2: PD for staff/ no school for students
January 19: Schools closed for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 26: Half-day PD and Half-day Records Day/ no school for students
February 13: PD for staff/ no school for students
February 16: Holiday for students
March 12: Schools closed for Parent-Teacher Conference Day
March 13: Wellness Day/ no school for students
April 6: Half-day records and half-day wellness/ no school for students
April 13-17: Spring recess for students
May 25: Schools closed for Memorial Day
June 5: Last day for seniors
June 16: No school for students
June 17: Last day for students

For a full list of days off, early dismissals, conferences and religious observances, you can access the full school calendar online.

Health requirements

Dig deeper:

Before school starts, students are required to complete a health physical, oral health assessment and be up-to-date with certain immunizations.

The District of Columbia Public Schools requires a series of medical forms to be turned in as part of the enrollment process.

Free meals

What you can do:

School breakfast, after-school snacks and after-school meals are free for all DCPS students who qualify for the Free and Reduced-Price Means program.

You can fill out the application on the school district's website.

The district also offers several other meal programs for students, including the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab and Go and Extended Breakfast, After-School Supper or Snack and Reimbursable Salad Bars.