The district pointed to historically low attendance during the usual two-day school week.<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) students will be able to start their Thanksgiving vacations a little earlier next school year.<\/p>\n
The Duval County School Board approved the 2026-27 school year calendar on Tuesday, April 7. Based on input collected by the district’s calendar committee, the board decided to give students the entire week of Thanksgiving off of school, rather than just Wednesday through Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe feedback we received overwhelmingly showed strong support for not having any instructional days during Thanksgiving week, rather than operating on a shortened two-day schedule,\u201d said Corey Wright, Chief Officer of Accountability and Assessment, who leads this process.<\/p>\n
The committee noted that the district has historically seen low attendance rates during that week.<\/p>\n
School is set to begin on August 10, 2026, and end on May 28, 2027.<\/p>\n
In addition to the Thanksgiving schedule change, students will have the Thursday and Friday before Spring Break off, rather than just Friday. Schools will also be closed on Oct. 12 and 13, rather than just Oct. 13.<\/p>\n
To make room for these changes, one weather day was removed, and students will also be expected to attend school on the Thursday and Friday after Veterans Day.<\/p>\n