On Sept. 17, MCPS proposed two different calendar options for the 2025-26 school year and is currently in the process of gaining community feedback to make a final decision. The MCPS Board of Education typically finalizes calendars for the following school year in early December. The official calendar for the 2025-26 school year is expected to be adopted on Dec. 5, 2024.

The proposed differences make a change in length of winter break, with the first option proposing a 10-day winter break starting on Dec. 22, 2025, and ending on Jan. 2, 2026. The other version offers an eight-day winter break starting on Dec. 24, 2025, and ending on Jan. 2, 2026 as well. Stemming from this comes a difference of the last day of school for students, with that first option containing a longer winter break, crafting an end day of June 18, 2026, while the second option marks a June 16, 2026 end day for students. 

Among these changes comes a difference in the start of the marking periods, as with the first option, marking period start dates are shifted a few days forward compared to the second option, due to the winter break length.

Despite these key differences, there are still many similarities between the calendars, as the first day of school for students remains the same of Aug. 26, 2025. Spring break remains the same length and proposed for the same time period of March 30, 2026 to April 6, 2026 in both calendars, a six-day break.

Some students at RM find the first calendar option more appealing. “I think I’d pick the one with a longer winter break because 10 days of winter break gives more time for me to be with my friends and relax more,” junior Desi Earley said.

“It’s definitely important for students to have a voice in calendar decisions because students should be able to talk and give input on their district, because after all, we’re the ones getting affected,” Earley said.

Both calendars include a new day for MCPS schools named the Student Orientation/Transition Day, which in both calendars will be on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, the day before the first day of school for all students. This day is meant to be for students entering kindergarten, sixth, and ninth grades to become more accustomed and familiar with their new school.

“The idea is, if you feel that people want you there, you feel welcome, then you’re more likely to want to be there,” executive director of the Office of District Operation Catherine Malchodi said. Malchodi says that this idea comes from the new superintendent, Dr. Thomas Taylor, who had something similar in his Virginia district where he was previously.

In contrast to Earley’s opinion, junior Liam Recklaus finds the second option more ideal for him. “I like the calendar that ends school earlier just because I want to get out and enjoy the summer days. I’m not a big hot cocoa guy myself,” Recklaus said. “The orientation day sounds like a great idea to get students started off and feel a part of their school community.”