Westover, MD – The Somerset County Board of Education (SCBOE) recently approved the academic calendar for the 2026–2027 school year, establishing key dates for students, staff, and families to plan ahead.
The new school year will begin with a staggered start on Monday, August 31, 2026, for select groups of students. All students will report on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, marking the official start of the school year for the full student body.
In alignment with Maryland’s requirement for 180 instructional days, the approved calendar includes designated make-up days to address potential school closures due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Three make-up days are built into the middle of the school year:
November 23, 2026
November 24, 2026
January 4, 2027
Additionally, three make-up days are scheduled at the end of the school year:
June 21, 2027
June 22, 2027
June 23, 2027
These dates will only be converted to instructional days if needed to ensure the school system meets the state’s 180-day requirement.
In the event of extended school closures requiring the use of all built-in make-up days, SCPS may implement additional instructional days, in coordination with employee associations and with approval from the Board of Education.
The calendar was developed collaboratively with input from SCPS leadership, teachers, staff, and families to balance instructional priorities, state requirements, and the needs of students and the broader school community.