Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS): 2026-27 School Calendar

The projected first day of school for the MSCS 2026-27 school year is Monday, August 3, 2026. This marks the beginning of Q1 and the first semester. MSCS traditionally starts on the first Monday in August.

The projected last day for students is Thursday, May 20, 2027. This date also marks the end of Q4 and the second semester. Semester exams are expected to run May 18-20.

Fall Break is projected to run from Monday, October 12 through Friday, October 16, 2026. Students return on Monday, October 19. This break comes right after the end of Q1 on October 2.

Winter Break is projected to run from Monday, December 21, 2026 through Monday, January 4, 2027. Students return on Tuesday, January 5, 2027, which begins Q3 and the second semester. Semester exams are expected December 16-18 before break.

Yes. MSCS traditionally schedules two spring breaks. Spring Break is projected for March 15-19, 2027, and Spring Break II (Good Friday through Easter Monday) is projected for March 26-29, 2027. Because Easter falls on March 28, 2027, the two breaks are just one school week apart in 2026-27.

Thanksgiving Break is projected for the full week of November 23-27, 2026. Students return on Monday, November 30. Note that November 10 (Inservice) and November 11 (Veterans Day) are also expected student days off earlier that month.

Yes. Key projected student-out days include November 10 (Inservice Day) and February 12 (Stockpiled PD Day). Teachers also typically have professional development days before the school year starts in late July that do not affect student attendance.

Fall conferences are projected by level: High School on September 10, Middle School on September 15, and Elementary on September 17, 2026. Spring conferences follow the same pattern: High School on January 21, Middle School on January 26, and Elementary on January 28, 2027. All conferences typically run 4-7 p.m.

First semester exams are projected for December 16-18, 2026, just before Winter Break. Second semester exams are projected for May 18-20, 2027, with May 20 being the last day of school.

Yes. This district-wide calendar applies to all MSCS schools -- elementary, middle, and high -- across all regions, including iZone and Optional/magnet programs. It does not cover the separate municipal districts of Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland, or Millington.

This calendar is projected based on established MSCS scheduling patterns. As of early 2026, MSCS is still surveying parents on the 2026-27 calendar. Once the board approves the official calendar, this page will be updated with the final dates. Check scsk12.org for the latest information.

MSCS announces closures and delays through WMC Action News 5, WREG News Channel 3, the MSCS app, and social media. Stockpiled PD days may be used as make-up days. Monitor scsk12.org and local Memphis news stations for real-time updates during severe weather.

Projected grading periods: Q1 runs August 3 to October 2. Q2 runs October 5 to December 18. Q3 runs January 5 to March 12. Q4 runs March 22 to May 20. The first semester covers Q1+Q2 and the second semester covers Q3+Q4.

Yes. Veterans Day (November 11, 2026) and Presidents Day (February 15, 2027) are both expected student days off. Veterans Day falls on a Wednesday in 2026, with the November 10 Inservice Day giving students a two-day midweek break.

MSCS serves the city of Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County. Six suburban municipalities operate their own separate districts: Collierville Schools, Germantown Municipal School District, Bartlett City Schools, Arlington Community Schools, Lakeland School System, and Millington Municipal Schools. This calendar applies only to MSCS.