Chicago Public Schools Holidays

Complete list of holidays and breaks for the academic year with details on observances and attendance policies

Understanding CPS Holiday Schedule

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) observes various holidays throughout the academic year, including federal holidays, religious observances, and scheduled breaks. This comprehensive guide provides detailed information to help families plan ahead and understand the significance of each holiday period.

Attendance Policy During Holidays

All CPS schools are closed during official holidays and breaks. Students are not expected to attend, and these days are not counted toward attendance requirements. For religious observances not officially recognized as school holidays, CPS policy allows excused absences for students observing these holidays with proper notification from parents/guardians.

Holiday Makeup Days

In the event of emergency closures (such as snow days), the CPS academic calendar may be adjusted to meet state-required instructional days. Typically, makeup days are scheduled at the end of the school year or during designated emergency days built into the calendar. The Board of Education approves any changes to the official calendar.

Federal Holidays

Federal holidays are officially recognized by the U.S. government. All CPS schools and administrative offices are closed on these days. These holidays commemorate important historical events, figures, or cultural traditions in American history.

Holiday Significance

Labor Day - Honors the American labor movement and contributions workers have made to the prosperity of the country.
Indigenous Peoples Day - Celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures.
Veterans Day - Honors military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Thanksgiving Day - A national holiday celebrating the harvest and blessings of the past year.
Christmas Day - A Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, also widely celebrated as a secular holiday.
New Year's Day - Celebrates the start of a new calendar year.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Honors the civil rights leader and his work toward racial equality and justice.
Presidents Day - Honors the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, as well as all U.S. presidents.
Memorial Day - Honors and mourns military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

School Breaks

School breaks are extended periods when classes are not in session. These breaks provide students and staff time for rest, family activities, and preparation for upcoming academic periods.

Break Information

Thanksgiving Break - A short break around the Thanksgiving holiday, typically lasting 3 days (Wednesday through Friday).
Winter Break - A two-week break spanning late December through early January, including Christmas and New Year holidays.
Spring Break - A one-week break in March or April, often aligned with Easter in some years but not directly tied to it.

Important Note on School Buildings

During school breaks, CPS school buildings are typically closed to students and most staff. Some administrative offices may maintain limited hours. Athletic facilities may have special schedules for team practices - check with your school's athletic department for details.

Religious Observances

CPS recognizes the importance of religious diversity. While not all religious holidays are official school holidays, students may be excused for religious observances with proper documentation from parents/guardians.

Religious Holiday Information

Yom Kippur - The holiest day of the year in Judaism, a day of atonement marked by fasting and intensive prayer.
Navaratri - A nine-night Hindu festival celebrating the divine feminine, specifically the goddess Durga.
Hanukkah - An eight-day Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
Ramadan - A month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community observed by Muslims worldwide.
Eid al-Fitr - An important Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayer, feasts, and charity.

Religious Observance Absence Policy

To request an excused absence for a religious observance not listed as an official school holiday, parents/guardians should submit written notification to the school principal at least 5 days in advance. Students will be given the opportunity to make up any work missed during religious observance absences without penalty.

Other Non-Attendance Days

These are scheduled days when students do not attend school, but staff may be present for professional development, planning, or parent-teacher conferences.

Non-Attendance Day Details

Teacher Institute Days - Professional development days for teachers and staff before the start of the school year.
Parent-Teacher Conference Days - Designated days for scheduled meetings between parents and teachers to discuss student progress.
School Improvement Days - Staff development days focused on enhancing educational quality and implementing improvement plans.

Making the Most of Parent-Teacher Conference Days

Parent-Teacher Conference Days are valuable opportunities to discuss your child's academic progress and address any concerns. Schedule your conference early, prepare specific questions, and bring any relevant materials to the meeting. Many schools now offer online scheduling systems to make this process easier.

Download Official CPS Holiday Calendar

Access the complete CPS calendar with all holidays, breaks, and important dates in PDF format for easy printing and reference.

2024-2025 Calendar 2023-2024 Calendar 2022-2023 Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions About School Holidays

In case of emergency weather closures, CPS may implement e-learning days or add makeup days at the end of the school year. The district builds potential emergency days into the calendar. Any changes to the official calendar must be approved by the Board of Education and will be communicated to families through official channels.

Religious holidays not officially designated as school holidays can qualify as excused absences, but parents/guardians must provide written notification to the school principal in advance (typically 5 days before the absence). Students have the right to make up any work missed during these absences without academic penalty.

Charter schools within the CPS district may have slightly different calendars and holiday schedules. While they generally observe major holidays and breaks, specific dates might vary. Families with students in charter schools should consult their school's specific calendar for accurate information.

During major breaks, most school buildings have limited access. However, some schools may schedule specific activities, athletic practices, or community programs during these periods. Always check with your school administration about building hours during breaks. For safety reasons, students are generally not allowed in school buildings unsupervised during holiday periods.