Virginia Schools Calendar (VA) 2026-2027
Schools in Virginia teach children from kindergarten to class 12, usually beginning in mid-August and ending in mid-June. Students get breaks for summer, cold and spring, as well as holidays like Christmas and Memorial Day. They learn basic subjects such as reading, mathematics, science, and history, and also do sports, art, and other fun activities. For the complete list of important dates and events for the 2026-2027 school year, you can easily visit the official Virginia School Calendar website.
| Event / Holiday | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 18, 2026 | August 18, 2026 |
| Last Day of School | June 12, 2027 | June 12, 2027 |
| Summer Break | June 13, 2027 | August 17, 2027 |
| Winter Break | December 22, 2026 | January 2, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 30, 2027 | April 3, 2027 |
Virginia Schools (VA) 2026-2027 Syllabus
The Virginia Schools (VA) 2026-2027 academic year syllabus is grounded on the new Standards of Learning (SOL) and newly revised curriculum models in core disciplines at the K-12 grade levels.
Overview of Standards of Learning.
The K-12 education in Virginia is steered by SOLs that address:
- Computer Science
- Digital Learning Integration.
- Driver Education
- Economics & Personal Finance
- English
- Family Life Education
- Fine Arts
- Health Education
- History and Social Science
- Mathematics
- Physical Education
- Science
- World Language
| Grade Level | Subject Area | Key 2026-2027 Updates and Topics |
|---|---|---|
| K | Social Studies | Economic reasoning, source analysis, local communities, citizenship behaviors |
| 1 | Social Studies | Virginia traditions, maps, significant Virginians, civic symbols |
| 5 | U.S. History to 1865 | Resistance to slavery, founding ideals, geographic reasoning |
| 6 | U.S. History 1865-Present | Civil rights, immigration, inquiry-based skills, global conflict |
| 7 | Civics & Economics | Civic engagement, government function, media literacy |
| 8 | World Geography | Globalization, sustainability, mapping, cultural competency |
| 9-12 | U.S. History | Source analysis, evidence-based arguments, historical perspectives |
| 9-12 | U.S. Government | Constitution, democratic foundations, civic engagement, digital literacy |
| K-12 | Computer Science | Full implementation of updated 2024 standards: computational thinking, problem solving, digital skills |
| K-12 | All Subjects | 3E Readiness Framework: Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment focus |
To access official and the most updated information, go to the web pages of the Standards of Learning program of the Virginia Department of Education and refer to the specific school program catalogs.
Virginia State Testing & Assessment Calendar 2026-2027
The Virginia State Testing & Assessment Calendar 2026-2027 includes statewide assessments administered by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Testing schedules may vary slightly by school division, but most districts follow the same statewide testing windows. The primary assessment program is the Standards of Learning (SOL), which measures student achievement in core subjects.
| Assessment | Grades/Courses | Expected Testing Period (2026-2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning-of-Year Literacy Screening | Pre-K–Grade 3 | August–September 2026 |
| Fall Benchmark Assessments | Elementary, Middle & High School | September–October 2026 |
| Mid-Year Benchmark Assessments | K–12 | January–February 2027 |
| Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) | Eligible Students (Grades 3–High School) | February–April 2027 |
| SOL Writing Assessments (where applicable) | Selected Grades/Courses | March–April 2027 |
| SOL Reading Assessments | Grades 3–8 & End-of-Course | April–May 2027 |
| SOL Mathematics Assessments | Grades 3–8 & High School Courses | April–May 2027 |
| SOL Science Assessments | Grades 5, 8 & High School Courses | May 2027 |
| SOL History & Social Science Assessments | Grades 4, 5, 8 & High School Courses | May–June 2027 |
| End-of-Course (EOC) SOL Exams | High School | May–June 2027 |
| SOL Make-Up Testing | Eligible Students | May–June 2027 |
| Final Exams (Local School Divisions) | Middle & High School | May–June 2027 |
Subjects Covered in Virginia SOL Testing
- English Reading
- Writing (selected grades/courses)
- Mathematics
- Science
- History & Social Science
- End-of-Course (EOC) assessments for high school students
Note: The Virginia Department of Education releases official SOL testing windows each school year, while individual school districts publish the exact testing dates for their schools. Always check your local district’s assessment calendar for the final schedule.
Virginia Schools Holidays (VA) 2026-2027
| Holiday | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Labor Day | August 29 & September 1, 2026 |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 26–28, 2026 |
| Winter Break | December 22–31, 2026 & January 1–2, 2027 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19, 2027 |
| Presidents Day | February 16, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 30–April 3, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | May 25, 2027 |
| Juneteenth | June 19, 2027 |
Virginia Schools Bell Period (VA) 2026-2027
| School Division | Grade Level | Start Time | Dismissal Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powhatan County Public Schools (2025-26) | Elementary | 8:40 a.m. | 3:30 p.m. | Drop-off begins at 8:25 a.m. |
| Powhatan Cty | Middle School | 7:35 a.m. | 2:25 p.m. | Earlier start for middle school. |
| Powhatan Cty | High School | 7:40 a.m. | 2:30 p.m. | Consistent early high school schedule. |
| Stafford County Public Schools (Elementary Start Times for 2025-26) | Elementary Tier 2-A | 8:15 a.m. | 2:45 p.m. | Shifted later to address bus reliability. |
| Stafford Cty | Elementary Tier 2-B | 8:45 a.m. | 3:15 p.m. | Some schools have this later start. |
| Virginia Beach City Public Schools (General hours) | Elementary (“A” schools) | 8:05 a.m. | 2:35 p.m. | Example of an earlier schedule. |
| Virginia Beach Cty | Elementary (“B” schools) | 8:45 a.m. | 3:15 p.m. | Later start variant. |
Key Points:
- Several school divisions change their start and end times according to bus routing, workload, grade levels, and state mandates.
- Within the state, there is quite a wide range of differences even between one division, elementary vs middle vs high, could be very different.
- The references made in the preceding paragraphs pertain to specific school divisions. If you require the timetable of a specific division (for example, Richmond, Fairfax, etc.), I can find it for you.
- In some districts (e.g., Stafford), you will observe a trend of elementary schools starting later in the 2025-26 school year to enhance reliability and readiness.
- Always refer to the school division or individual school’s official calendar for the real bell schedule and any “early release” days, as those will be the ones shifting the times.
FAQs
1. When does the Virginia school year start in 2026-2027?
Most Virginia Public Schools Calendar schedules begin in late August or early September, but the exact first day of school in Virginia depends on your local school district. Always check your district’s official VA School Calendar 2026-2027 for confirmed dates.
2. When is Winter Break for Virginia schools in 2026?
Most districts schedule Virginia Winter Break from late December through early January, giving students and staff time off for the holiday season. Break dates may differ slightly by district.
3. When is Spring Break in Virginia schools?
The Virginia Spring Break usually falls between late March and mid-April. Each district sets its own break dates in the Virginia Academic Calendar, so families should verify the schedule before planning travel.
4. Do all Virginia school districts follow the same academic calendar?
No. There is no single statewide calendar. Every district publishes its own Virginia School District Calendar, although most follow a similar academic timeline with comparable holidays and breaks.
5. How many school holidays are included in the Virginia Schools Calendar 2026-2027?
The Virginia School Holidays 2026-2027 generally include Labor Day, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Spring Break, and Memorial Day. Additional holidays may vary by district.
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