Planning guides

California School Calendar Guides

Use these permanent guides to compare school holidays, spring break, first day, last day, minimum days, pupil-free days, and other calendar terms across 110 covered California districts. Each guide is updated as new official district calendars are published.

Childcare planning California School Break Childcare Guide Plan childcare for California school breaks with 2026-2027 dates, cost ranges, camps, ELO-P, YMCA, city recreation, nannies, and booking timelines. Read guide
Travel planning Best Times for Disneyland, Universal, LEGOLAND, and Catalina Use 2026-2027 Southern California school break dates to choose better weeks for Disneyland, Universal, LEGOLAND, and Catalina. Calendar terms Minimum Day and Pupil-Free Day Meaning Learn whether students attend on minimum days, early-release days, pupil-free days, teacher workdays, staff development days, and make-up days. Start dates Why California School Start Dates Vary by District Understand why nearby districts can open on different dates, and how local control shapes California school calendars. Back to school California Back-to-School Planning Timeline Match June, July, and August planning steps to your district's first day, childcare needs, travel, and routines. Start dates Latest School Start Dates in California 2026 Compare later August openings and plan camp, travel, childcare, and June finish dates. Start dates Earliest School Start Dates in California 2026 See which covered districts start first in 2026, including July and early-August openings. Back to school Before School Starts: California 60-Day Checklist Use this planning checklist before school starts, then confirm exact dates on your district calendar. Holidays California School Holidays by District Compare Thanksgiving break, winter break, Christmas break timing, and spring break across 110 covered districts. Spring break California Spring Break Dates Compare 2027 spring break dates by region, common date window, and district, with prior-year dates retained as reference. School year When Do Schools Start and End in California? Check first day and last day dates across 110 covered districts before planning childcare, moves, or travel.