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2026-2027 AAPS Calendar - Paper Calendar with Back to School written on it and various school supplies laying on top.

2026-2027 Ann Arbor School Calendar: Now Official

/ By / Back to School, calendar, education, elementary, teens, tweens

Are you looking for the 2026-2027 Ann Arbor School calendar? In an unprecedented move, AAPS released the 2026-2027 calendar with the 2025-2026 calendar. This is the first time I recall a calendar being released so far in advance and I became an AAPS parent in 2011.

Table Of Contents
  1. 2026-2027 AAPS Calendar
  2. 2025-2026 AAPS Calendar
  3. First Day of School for 2026-2027 in AAPS
  4. Last Day of School for 2026-2027 in AAPS
  5. Major Breaks on the 2026-2027 AAPS Calendar
  6. Minor Breaks on the Ann Arbor School Calendar Next Year
  7. Individual Days Off
  8. Snow (& Other Last Minute) Days Off
  9. Early Release Days
  10. High School Exams
  11. Testing Days for Middle & High School
  12. Ann Arbor Public Schools Bell Schedule

2026-2027 AAPS Calendar

This is the calendar that was released for 2026-2027 on June 27, 2025. I expect to see some shifting on the high school exam schedule since the dates don’t line up correctly with the calendar or the stated last day.

  • Monday, August 31 – First Day of School – Half Day
  • Friday, September 4 – No School – Labor Day Friday
  • Monday, September 7- No School – Labor Day Monday
  • Tuesday, September 8- School Resumes
  • Monday, September 28 – No School Day
  • Wednesday, October 7 – Count Day
  • Wednesday, October 7 – PSAT-MNSQT for 11th grade – Late Start for 9th, 10th, & 12th graders
  • Friday, October 9 – No School – Fall Break
  • Monday, October 12 – No School – Fall Break
  • Friday, October 30 – Early Release for Elementary, K-8, and Middle School
  • Tuesday, November 3 – No School – Election Day
  • Friday November 20, Monday & Tuesday November 23&24 – Skyline & Pathways Trimester 1 Exams (Half Days)
  • Wednesday-Friday, November 25-27 – No School – Thanksgiving Break
  • Monday, November 30 – School Resumes
  • Monday, December 21-Friday, January 1 – No School – Winter Break
  • Monday, January 4 – School Resumes
  • Monday, January 18 – No School – MLK Day
  • Tuesday-Friday, January 19-22 – Community, Huron, Pioneer Semester 1 Exams – Half Days
  • Wednesday, February 10 – Count Day
  • Friday-Tuesday, February 12-15 – No School – Mid-Winter Break
  • Wednesday-Friday, March 3-5 – Skyline & Pathways Trimester 2 Exams (Half Days)
  • Tuesday, March 9 – Early Release for Elementary, K-8, and Middle School
  • Friday-Friday, March 26-April 2 – No School – Spring Break
  • Monday, April 5 – School Resumes
  • Thursday, April 8 – PSAT 8th & 9th, WorkKeys 11th (Late Start for 6th, 7th, 10th, 12th)
  • Wednesday, April 14 – SAT 11th Grade, PSAT 10th Grade (Late Start 9th & 12th)
  • Monday, April 26 – High School Early Release Day – Transition Day for 8th Grade
  • Thursday, Aprril 29 – Middle School Early Release Day – Transition Day for 5th Grade
  • Tuesday, May 4 – No School – Election Day
  • Thursday, May 13 – Early Release for Elementary, K-8, and Middle School
  • Monday, May 31 – No School – Memorial Day
  • Thursday-Friday, Monday-Tuesday June 10-11 & 14-15 – Community, Huron, Pioneer Semester 2 Exams – Half Days
  • Monday-Tuesday June 14-15 – Skyline & Pathways Trimester 3 Exams (Half Days)
  • Tuesday, June 15 – Early Release for Middle School students
  • Wednesday, June 16 – Last Day of School Half Day

We expect to see some corrections on the bold itmes Semester 2/Trimester 3 exams. The initial dates listed were Thursday-June 11-Tuesday, June 15 for semester 2. However, the Thursday is June 10 and a Tuesday, June 15 ends exams before the last day of school. Similarly, the Trimester 3 exams only list 2 days of exams ending before the last day of school but typically require 3 days.

The last week of school early release for Middle Schoolers is listed as Monday, June 15. June 15 is a Tuesday. We have listed it as Tuesday, June 15 which matches the date highlighted on the calendar.

It is also possible that there may be some adjustments to standardized testing dates in the middle and high schools.

2025-2026 AAPS Calendar

2025-2026 Ann Arbor School Calendar: Now Official

Are you looking for the 2025-2026 Ann Arbor School calendar? Next year’s AAPS calendar has not been released yet. Calendars are typically released over the summer. But, that doesn’t mean we know nothing about the calendar! Winter and spring break schedules are available. And I’ve been predicting the Ann Arbor Public Schools calendar for several […]

First Day of School for 2026-2027 in AAPS

When do Michigan schools start? Traditionally, school started the Tuesday after Labor Day and that is still the standard. However, districts can apply for a waiver to start in August. Ann Arbor Schools has had a waiver to start early since 2020-2021.

AAPS will start the 2026-2027. school year on Monday, August 31. As in 2025-2026, the first day of school is a half-day. It also starts a four day week before taking off Friday-Monday (September 4-7) for Labor Day. School will resume on Tuesday, September 8.

While starting after Labor Day is nice, this schedule lets school start with a 4 day week, a 4 day weekend, and another 4 day week. For parents of high school athletes and band members, it also decreases they days they need to be available before school starts.

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Sunday, February 22

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Saturday & Sunday March 7 & 8

Other Dates in August

High school students involved in band/orchestra or a fall sport will have activities through August.

High School orientations typically take place about a week and a half before school starts. At Orientation students get their student IDs, class schedule, books (if any), and can get a parking pass. If a student misses orientation, there will be another opportunity to complete orientation. I would definitely try to make these especially if your child is new to the school or they have a complicated schedule.

Some elementary schools hold welcome back events the week before school starts. Some host the whole school, while others host just new students.

Last Day of School for 2026-2027 in AAPS

Traditionally school has ended on a Friday, but in 2023-2024 it moved to Thursday and in 2024-2025 it moved to Wednesday. 2025=2026 continued this trend by moving the last day up to Tuesday, June 9th. 2026-2027 moves the last day of school back to Wednesday, June 16

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Major Breaks on the 2026-2027 AAPS Calendar

Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) approved the dates for Winter and Spring Break through 2030 including the 2026-2027 school year.

Note that for 2026-2027, AAPS has added an extra day to the start of spring break. Break starts after school on Thursday, March 25 since Easter weekend is the first week of spring break.

The 2026-2027 break schedule is:

  • Winter Break – Saturday, December 19-Sunday, January 3
    • Break starts after school on Friday, December 18
    • School Resumes on Monday, January 4
    • Check out Winter Break Camps (to be updated for 2026-2027 in the fall 2026)
  • Friday, March 26-Sunday, April 4
    • Break starts after school on Thursday, March 25
    • School Resumes on Monday, April 5
    • Check out our Spring Break Camp Guide (to be updated for 2025-2026 in the fall 2026)

(Note: when AAPS releases their calendar, they typically only list the school days off for example – December 21-January 1 – while we have included the weekends)

Minor Breaks on the Ann Arbor School Calendar Next Year

For 2026-2027, AAPS typically has several minor breaks of less than a week, but more than a 3 day weekend. Our initial predictions include 4 minor breaks – Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, and Mid-Winter Break.

Labor Day – September 4-7

Every year that AAPS has started before Labor Day, they have had a 4 day weekend for Labor Day. AAPS will be closed on Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7 with school resuming on Tuesday, September 8.

It is nice to ease into the school year with two 4 day weeks separated by a 4 day weekend.

Fall Break – October 9-12

AAPS added a fall break for the first time in my memory in 2023-2024. It was the week after Indigenous Peoples Day (October 14-17) and partially coincided with UMs fall break (Friday-Monday vs UM’s Saturday-Tuesday).

Fall Break 2026 will remain the same weekend as Friday, October 9-Monday, October 12. It will not overlap with University of Michigan Fall Break (October 19-20)

Thanksgiving – November 25-29

Ann Arbor Public Schools is typically closed Wednesday-Friday for Thanksgiving. They have had this same break the entire 13 years my daughter attended – and since she graduated in 2024. (except for the 2021-2022 year when they extended Thanksgiving break due to COVID cases).

The 2026 AAPS Thanksgiving Break will be Wednesday November 25 through Sunday, November 29 with school resuming on Monday, November 30.

Students at Skyline and Pathways typically have a true break over Thanksgiving! Trimester 1 finals are the Friday-Tuesday before Thanksgiving with Trimester 2 starting when they return.

Mid-Winter Break – February 12-15

Mid-winter break has been back the last few years. It is only a 4 day weekend (Friday-Monday around Presidents Day).

Mid-Winter break was originally the week of UM’s spring break (prior to 2009 or so). Then it was the whole week of President’s Day. About 10 years ago, it started shrinking to just a 3 day weekend as the state added days to the school calendar. I am glad to see it back even if it is only 4 days this year.

Individual Days Off

The individual days off stay consistent with the 2025-2026 calendar.

AAPS typically has off for Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) on years when it does not fall during spring break. This year, Easter is the first weekend of spring break, so Good Friday is an extra day added to spring break.

  • September Day Off – Monday, September 28
  • Election Day – Tuesday, November 3
  • Martin Luther King Jr Day – Monday, January 18
  • May Election Day – Tuesday, May 4
  • Memorial Day – Monday, May 31

Make sure to check out our full list of school break camps if you need child care on days off from school. This list will be updated for the 2026-2027 school year in fall 2026 as camps are announced. Historically most camps were not announced until after summer camps end. In a post-pandemic world, we have noticed that most camps are announced gradually through the school year – one break at a time.

Child Care Solved: School Break Camps near Ann Arbor

Trying to remember which days the kids are off? Check out the 2025-2026 Ann Arbor Public Schools Calendar. Thanks to the Future Innovators Academy for sponsoring our Break Camp Guides. Ann Arbor School Break Camp Guide This is a comprehensive guide of everyone who has announced camps for the 2025-2026 school year. Traditionally, some camps […]

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Snow (& Other Last Minute) Days Off

The AAPS schedule typically has 6 built in “snow” days on the calendar. If the district goes over the 6 days, they either need to add days at the end of the year or ask the state for forgiveness.

While snow days is their typical use, they have been used for various purposes throughout the years. In recent years “snow” days have been used for widespread power outages, staffing shortages across the district due to illness, and in the wake of the Oxford School Shooting.

Hopefully for 2026-2027 these will only be needed for snow days.

Early Release Days

This year continues with the 2025-2026 decrease in the number of Early Release Days. The last day of school remains a half day. There is also one early release day near the end of each trimester for the elementary, K-8, and middle schools.

2026-2027 Early Release Days

  • Monday, August 31 – First Day of Scool Half Day
  • Friday, October 30 – Elementary, K-8s, and Middle School only
  • Tuesday, March 9 – Elementary, K-8s, and Middle School only
  • Tuesday, April 26 – Early release for HS, Transition day for 8th grade
  • Thursday, April 29 – Early release for MS, Transition day for 5th grade.
  • Thursday, May 13 – Elementary, K-8s, and Middle School only
  • June 15 – Early Release for Middle Schools
  • Wednesday, June 16 – Last Day of School 1/2 Day

High School Exams

Typically, Skyline and Pathways are on a trimester schedule with Huron, Pioneer, and Community on a semester schedule. This leads to different exam days.

High school exams are scheduled in the morning with 2 exams a day. Students are dismissed after their last exam.

Trimester Exams (Skyline & Pathways)

Trimester 1 typically ends before Thanksgiving. It is nice for the kids to have Thanksgiving break knowing exams are over. This year’s calendar originally listed only 2 days for Trimester 3 exams and didn’t include the last day of school. Our best guess is the exams will run Monday-Wednesday with one exam on the last day of school.

2026-2027 exam dates

  • Trimester 1 – Friday, November 20 & Monday-Tuesday, November 23-24
  • Trimester 2- Wednesday-Friday, March 3-5
  • Trimester 3- Monday-Wednesday, June 14-16

Semester Exams (Huron, Pioneer & Community)

Typically Semester 1 exams are the Tuesday-Friday of MLK week. This year’s calendar originally listed only Semester 2 exams from Thursday to Tuesday, ending the last day of school, but had the dates matching a Friday exam start. Our best guess is exams will run Friday-Wednesday as reflected below

2026-2027 exam dates

  • Semester 1 – Tuesday-Friday, January 19-22
  • Semester 2 – Friday, Monday-Wednesday, June 11-16

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Testing Days for Middle & High School

There are several days that standardized testing is offered for high school students. The high school students who are not testing on those days have a late start.

It wouldn’t surprise me if these dates change before Fall 2026 since testing dates are set by the state. It is also unusual that the October PSAT test is on Count Day which may result in a shift.

  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026
    • High School – 11th grade PSAT/NMSQT, late start for those not testing (9th, 10th, & 12th plus 11th not taking the exam)
  • Thursday, April 8, 2026
    • Middle School – 8th grade PSAT, late start for 6th, 7th,
    • High School – 9th grade PSAT, 11th grade WorkKeys, late start for 10th & 12th graders not testing
  • April 14, 2026
    • High School – 10th grade PSAT, 11th grade SAT, late start for 12th & 9th graders

The 11th grade SAT and WorkKeys are graduation requirements. Other testing can be opted out.

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Ann Arbor Public Schools Bell Schedule

AAPS Bell times have not been released for 2026-2027. We don’t expect a significant change from the 2025-2026 school year times

AAPS School Day Schedule

AAPS Bell Schedule for 2025-2026

The Ann Arbor Public Schools Bell Schedule for 2025-2026 has had a few minor changes from last year. 2025-2026 AAPS Start & End Times For many years, there were efforts...

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