When is the first day of school for McDowell County Schools in 2026?

The first day of school for the 2026-27 year is Monday, August 24, 2026.

When is the last day of school for McDowell County Schools?

The last day of the 2026-27 school year is Friday, June 4, 2027.

When is MCS spring break 2027?

Spring break runs Friday, March 26, 2027 through Friday, April 2, 2027.

When is winter break for MCS?

Winter break runs Monday, December 21, 2026 through Monday, January 4, 2027. Students return the following school day.

NC School Calendar › Districts › McDowell County Schools

McDowell County Schools Calendar 2026-27 (MCS)

Traditional calendar · McDowell County, North Carolina · Verified from the official district calendar · Updated August 31, 2026

The McDowell County Schools 2026-27 school year begins Monday, August 24, 2026 and ends Friday, June 4, 2027. Key dates below, including every scheduled break and student holiday.

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Key Dates at a Glance

Event	Date
First day of school	Monday, August 24, 2026
Winter break	Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027
Spring break	Mar 26, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Last day of school	Friday, June 4, 2027

Student Holidays & Days Off

Date	Holiday
Sep 7, 2026	Labor Day
Nov 11, 2026	Veterans Day
Nov 25, 2026	Thanksgiving Break (workday)
Nov 26, 2026	Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov 27, 2026	Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 24, 2026	Christmas Holiday
Dec 25, 2026	Christmas Holiday
Dec 28, 2026	Christmas Holiday
Jan 1, 2027	New Year's Day
Jan 18, 2027	Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Mar 29, 2027	Holiday in lieu of Good Friday
May 31, 2027	Memorial Day

Good to know: Traditional calendar approved March 9, 2026. 178 student days / 1,099.5 hours. Winter break: annual leave Dec 21-23 and 29-31, holidays Dec 24-25-28 and Jan 1, Jan 4 workday; students return Jan 5. Spring: Mar 26 workday, Mar 29 holiday (in lieu of Good Friday), Mar 30-Apr 2 annual leave; students return Apr 5. Half-day PD days Mar 12 and May 7. Inclement-weather make-up days may occur on Saturdays.

About the 2026-27 calendar

North Carolina's school calendar law generally requires traditional-calendar districts to open no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26 and close by the Friday closest to June 11 — though a number of districts open earlier under waivers or local calendar flexibility. McDowell County Schools's 2026-27 traditional calendar runs Aug 24, 2026 to Jun 4, 2027, with 12 scheduled student holidays listed above. Make-up days for weather closures are set by the district and can shift dates late in the year — the official calendar linked above is always the final word.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the first day of school for McDowell County Schools in 2026?: The first day of school for the 2026-27 year is Monday, August 24, 2026.
When is the last day of school for McDowell County Schools?: The last day of the 2026-27 school year is Friday, June 4, 2027.
When is MCS spring break 2027?: Spring break runs Friday, March 26, 2027 through Friday, April 2, 2027.
When is winter break for MCS?: Winter break runs Monday, December 21, 2026 through Monday, January 4, 2027. Students return the following school day.

Related NC District Calendars

Source: dates verified against the official McDowell County Schools calendar (source) on August 31, 2026. Spotted an error or a date change? Report a correction — we verify and fix fast.