CPS Calendar 2025-2026: Complete Guide to Chicago Public Schools Academic Calendar & Important Dates
Planning ahead for the 2025-2026 school year? Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Chicago Public Schools academic calendar, including key dates, holidays, breaks, and essential planning resources for students, parents, and educators.
Official CPS Calendar 2025-2026 - Visual overview of the complete academic year
Official CPS Calendar 2025-2026
Download the official Chicago Public Schools calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Download PDF CalendarTable of Contents
CPS 2025-2026 Academic Year Overview
The Chicago Public Schools 2025-2026 academic year represents a carefully planned educational calendar designed to maximize learning opportunities while providing adequate breaks for students, families, and staff. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the upcoming school year with confidence and strategic planning.
School Year Begins
August 25, 2025
First day of classes for students
School Year Ends
June 11, 2026
Last day of classes for students
Important Note
The 2025-2026 school year includes 180 instructional days, meeting Illinois state requirements. Staff development days and holidays are strategically placed to support continuous learning while providing necessary breaks.
Visual Calendar Overview
The calendar image above provides a comprehensive visual representation of the entire 2025-2026 academic year, making it easy to identify patterns, plan ahead, and understand the flow of the school year at a glance.
Tip: Right-click on the calendar image to save it for offline reference or printingKey Dates and Important Deadlines
Understanding the critical dates in the CPS 2025-2026 calendar is essential for effective academic planning. These dates impact everything from enrollment deadlines to graduation ceremonies.
Staff and Administrative Dates
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| August 13, 2025 | School Clerks Begin | Administrative staff return to prepare for the new school year |
| August 18, 2025 | Teachers & CTU Staff Begin | Professional development and classroom preparation week |
| August 25, 2025 | Students Begin Classes | First day of instruction for all students |
Academic Milestones
Quarter End Dates
- Q1 Ends October 24, 2025
- Q2 Ends January 16, 2026
- Q3 Ends March 20, 2026
- Q4 Ends June 11, 2026
Progress Report Dates
- Q1 Progress September 25, 2025
- Q2 Progress November 21, 2025
- Q3 Progress February 13, 2026
- Q4 Progress May 1, 2026
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Fall Conference: November 3, 2025
Focus on first quarter progress and goal setting
Spring Conference: March 31, 2026
Review third quarter performance and year-end planning
Semester and Quarter Breakdown
The CPS 2025-2026 academic year is structured into two semesters, each containing two quarters. This organization helps students and families track academic progress and plan for important assessments and projects. For a detailed explanation of how this system works, see our comprehensive guide to the CPS academic calendar and quarter system structure.
First Semester
August 25, 2025 - January 16, 2026Quarter 1
Duration: August 25 - October 24, 2025
Instructional Days: 43 days
Key Features:
- Back-to-school orientation period
- Fall assessments and baseline testing
- Parent-teacher conferences
- Halloween celebrations
Quarter 2
Duration: October 27, 2025 - January 16, 2026
Instructional Days: 47 days
Key Features:
- Thanksgiving break
- Winter holiday celebrations
- Extended winter break
- Mid-year assessments
Second Semester
January 19, 2026 - June 11, 2026Quarter 3
Duration: January 19 - March 20, 2026
Instructional Days: 44 days
Key Features:
- New semester fresh start
- Winter weather considerations
- Presidents' Day observance
- Spring conference preparation
Quarter 4
Duration: March 30 - June 11, 2026
Instructional Days: 46 days
Key Features:
- Spring break vacation
- State testing period
- Graduation preparations
- End-of-year celebrations
Academic Year Statistics
180
Instructional Days
4
Academic Quarters
2
Semesters
291
Total Calendar Days
Holidays and School Breaks
The CPS 2025-2026 calendar includes strategically placed holidays and breaks to provide students and staff with necessary rest periods while maintaining educational continuity. Understanding these dates is crucial for family vacation planning and academic preparation. For additional insights on winter break planning, you can also reference our guide to CPS winter break 2024-2025 for comparison and planning tips.
Winter Break
December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026
12 consecutive days off including Christmas and New Year holidays
Classes resume January 3, 2026Spring Break
March 23 - March 27, 2026
5 consecutive days for spring vacation and family time
Classes resume March 30, 2026Thanksgiving Break
November 27 - 28, 2025
Extended weekend for Thanksgiving celebration
Classes resume December 1, 2025Federal and State Holidays (No School)
| Date | Holiday | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Labor Day | Federal holiday honoring American workers |
| October 13, 2025 | Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Federal holiday with cultural significance |
| November 11, 2025 | Veterans Day | Honoring military veterans |
| January 17, 2026 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Celebrating civil rights leader |
| February 17, 2026 | Presidents' Day | Honoring U.S. Presidents |
| May 25, 2026 | Memorial Day | Remembering fallen military personnel |
Professional Development Days
Several days throughout the year are designated for teacher professional development. Students do not attend classes on these days:
- October 14, 2025: Fall professional development
- January 20, 2026: Mid-year training and planning
- April 3, 2026: Spring professional development
Academic Planning Guide
Effective academic planning is essential for student success. This comprehensive guide provides strategies and timelines for students, parents, and educators to maximize the 2025-2026 school year.
Student Planning Strategies
Quarter-by-Quarter Goals
- Q1 (Aug-Oct): Establish routines, set academic goals, join extracurriculars
- Q2 (Oct-Jan): Focus on mid-year assessments, maintain study habits
- Q3 (Jan-Mar): Prepare for state testing, college planning (seniors)
- Q4 (Mar-Jun): Final projects, graduation prep, summer planning
Study Schedule Tips
- Use quarter breaks for review and catch-up
- Plan major projects around holiday breaks
- Schedule study groups before progress report dates
- Prepare for standardized tests during Q3
Parent Planning Resources
Family Calendar Integration
- Mark all progress report and conference dates
- Plan family vacations around school breaks
- Schedule medical appointments during breaks
- Coordinate with work schedules for school events
Academic Support Timeline
- August: Back-to-school preparation and supply shopping
- September: Establish homework routines
- November: First conference preparation
- March: Spring conference and year-end planning
Educator Planning Tools
Curriculum Mapping
- Align lessons with quarter end dates
- Plan assessments around progress report periods
- Schedule major projects before breaks
- Integrate state testing preparation in Q3
Professional Development
- Utilize PD days for curriculum planning
- Attend conferences during school breaks
- Collaborate with colleagues on planning days
- Prepare for parent conferences in advance
Free Planning Calendar Template
Download our customizable planning calendar template to help organize your 2025-2026 school year. The template includes:
- All CPS calendar dates pre-filled
- Space for personal appointments and events
- Academic milestone reminders
- Goal-setting sections for each quarter
Comparison with Previous Years
Understanding how the 2025-2026 calendar compares to previous years helps families and educators identify changes and plan accordingly. For an in-depth analysis of changes and trends, read our detailed comparison of CPS calendar vs previous years 2024-2025. Here's a comprehensive comparison with recent academic years.
Three-Year Calendar Comparison
| Academic Year | Start Date | End Date | Instructional Days | Winter Break Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | August 25, 2025 | June 11, 2026 | 180 days | 12 days |
| 2024-2025 | August 26, 2024 | June 12, 2025 | 180 days | 12 days |
| 2023-2024 | August 28, 2023 | June 13, 2024 | 180 days | 11 days |
Improvements for 2025-2026
- Earlier Start: School begins one day earlier than 2024-2025
- Consistent Break Length: Maintains 12-day winter break
- Balanced Quarters: More evenly distributed instructional days
- Strategic PD Days: Better placement of professional development
Notable Considerations
- Weather Contingency: Built-in flexibility for snow days
- Testing Windows: Aligned with state assessment schedules
- Holiday Alignment: Optimized for federal holiday observances
- Family Planning: Consistent break timing for multi-year planning
Additional Resources and Tools
Maximize your success with these comprehensive resources designed to support students, families, and educators throughout the 2025-2026 academic year.
CPS Mobile App
Access calendar updates, school closures, and important announcements on your mobile device.
Download AppDigital Calendar Sync
Import CPS calendar dates directly into Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar.
Email Alerts
Subscribe to receive email notifications about calendar changes and important deadlines.
Official CPS Resources
Academic Resources
Support Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The CPS Calendar 2025-2026 represents a well-structured academic year designed to maximize learning opportunities while providing necessary breaks for students, families, and educators. With 180 instructional days strategically distributed across four quarters, the calendar balances educational requirements with practical considerations for the Chicago community.
Key highlights of the 2025-2026 academic year include:
- Consistent Structure: Maintains the proven four-quarter system with balanced instructional time
- Strategic Breaks: Well-placed holidays and breaks support student well-being and family planning
- Professional Development: Dedicated days for educator growth and curriculum enhancement
- Community Alignment: Calendar dates that respect cultural holidays and community needs
Whether you're a student planning your academic goals, a parent coordinating family schedules, or an educator preparing curriculum, this comprehensive guide provides the information and tools needed for a successful 2025-2026 school year. Remember to bookmark this page and check back regularly for any updates or additional resources.
Pro Tip
Download the official CPS calendar PDF and sync it with your digital calendar to stay organized throughout the year. Set reminders for important dates like progress reports and parent-teacher conferences to ensure you never miss crucial academic milestones.
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