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

The first day of school for the 2026-27 year is Monday, August 17, 2026.

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

The last day of the 2026-27 school year is Tuesday, May 25, 2027.

When is WCS spring break 2027?

Spring break runs Monday, March 29, 2027 through Friday, April 2, 2027.

When is winter break for WCS?

Winter break runs Monday, December 21, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027. Students return the following school day.

NC School Calendar › Districts › Watauga County Schools

Watauga County Schools Calendar 2026-27 (WCS)

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

The Watauga County Schools 2026-27 school year begins Monday, August 17, 2026 and ends Tuesday, May 25, 2027. Key dates below, including every scheduled break and student holiday.

⬇ Download printable PDF 🖨 Print this page

Key Dates at a Glance

Event	Date
First day of school	Monday, August 17, 2026
Winter break	Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Spring break	Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Last day of school	Tuesday, May 25, 2027

Student Holidays & Days Off

Date	Holiday
Sep 7, 2026	Labor Day
Nov 11, 2026	Veterans Day
Nov 26, 2026	Thanksgiving
Nov 27, 2026	Thanksgiving
Dec 23, 2026	Christmas
Dec 24, 2026	Christmas
Dec 25, 2026	Christmas
Jan 1, 2027	New Year's Day
Jan 18, 2027	Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Mar 29, 2027	Spring Holiday
May 31, 2027	Memorial Day

Good to know: BOE approved 1/12/2026. First semester ends before winter break (Dec 18); students return Jan 4. Last day May 25 is an early release day; Memorial Day falls after it. Students also out Oct 19, Nov 25, Jan 18 (optional workdays; MLK Day doubles as optional workday). Original district link: https://www.wataugaschools.org/fs/resource-manager/view/85371d89-9a12-4ea8-a26e-2da69ec0afc5.

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. Watauga County Schools's 2026-27 traditional calendar runs Aug 17, 2026 to May 25, 2027 — an early-start calendar, with 11 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 Watauga County Schools in 2026?: The first day of school for the 2026-27 year is Monday, August 17, 2026.
When is the last day of school for Watauga County Schools?: The last day of the 2026-27 school year is Tuesday, May 25, 2027.
When is WCS spring break 2027?: Spring break runs Monday, March 29, 2027 through Friday, April 2, 2027.
When is winter break for WCS?: Winter break runs Monday, December 21, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027. Students return the following school day.

Related NC District Calendars

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