Knox County School Calendar: Teachers return to school on July 31, 2025, and the first day of school is preceded by two days of professional development. The first day of instruction is Monday, August 4, 2025, when students will first report to class. The first day of school for students is Monday, August 18, 2025; Winter Break is scheduled for Monday, December 22, 2025, through Friday, January 1, 2026, with the start of school resuming for students on Monday, January 5, 2026. Spring Break is from March 9–13, 2026, but classes resume on schedule afterward. Thursday, May 21, 2026 (1/2 Day) is the last day of school for students, wrapping up the school year, and Friday, May 22, 2026, with an Administrative Workday, is the last day of school for teachers.
Students are due to start summer vacation after May 21 and not return until the next school year (while teacher responsibilities wrap up by May 22). Generally, school starts back up during the first week of August in 2026.
Knox County School Calendar 2025-2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2025 | First day for teachers (school-based in-service) |
| August 1, 2025 | System-wide in-service (PreK–12) |
| August 4, 2025 | Administrative day for teachers |
| August 5, 2025 | Teacher in-service (half-day); 6th & 9th grade orientation |
| August 6, 2025 | Administrative day for teachers |
| August 7, 2025 | First day for students (half-day) |
| September 1, 2025 | Labor Day – Schools closed |
| September 5, 2025 | End of first 4½-week grading period |
| September 17, 2025 | Constitution Day (recognized) |
| October 6–10, 2025 | Fall Break – Schools closed |
| October 14, 2025 | End of first 9-week grading period |
| November 4, 2025 | In-service day – Student holiday |
| November 13, 2025 | End of second 4½-week grading period |
| November 19, 2025 | Half-day for students |
| November 26–28, 2025 | Thanksgiving Break – Schools closed |
| December 19, 2025 | Half-day; end of second 9-week grading period and semester |
| Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026 | Winter Break – Schools closed |
| January 2, 2026 | In-service and administrative half-day |
| January 5, 2026 | Students return after winter break |
| January 19, 2026 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Schools closed |
| January 28, 2026 | Half-day for students |
| February 5, 2026 | End of third 4½-week grading period |
| February 16, 2026 | In-service day – Student holiday |
| March 9–13, 2026 | Spring Break – Schools closed |
| March 17, 2026 | End of third 9-week grading period |
| March 25, 2026 | Half-day for students |
| April 3, 2026 | Holiday – Schools closed |
| April 20, 2026 | End of fourth 4½-week grading period |
| May 5, 2026 | In-service day – Student holiday |
| May 21, 2026 | Last day for students (half-day); end of fourth grading period |
| May 22, 2026 | Administrative day for teachers |
| June 19, 2026 | Juneteenth – Schools closed |
Knoxville and its environs Knox County Schools (KCS), in East Tennessee, are the publicly funded school system in the city. It is also the largest school district in Tennessee, offering schooling to above 60,000 students in a system of more than 90 schools, including primary, middle, secondary, and special education schools and colleges. The district also has the mission of being able to provide excellence to every child with a particular emphasis on academic excellence, student wellness, and equity in terms of access to educational services. KCS pays a lot of attention to early literacy, college, and future-oriented thinking, whether an education in STEM, as well as inclusive special programs to address the needs of non-standard students.
Besides the main academic curriculum, Knox County Schools provide plenty of extracurricular activities, arts, sports, and career-technical activities and programs to ensure all-around student growth. Some of the other areas contributing to family and community involvement in the district are the aspects of outreach and partnership. KCS has teachers who are highly qualified, a support team that is also dedicated, and facilities that are modern, and is always striving to achieve better results in students and uphold high standards in the country in the area of education. Because of this, the district continues to be the core of the Knoxville community, equipping its students to survive in a fast-changing world and offering them the skills and opportunities that they require.
Knox County School Holidays 2025-2026
| Holiday/Break | Dates |
|---|---|
| Labor Day | September 1, 2025 |
| Fall Break | October 6–10, 2025 |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 26–28, 2025 |
| Winter Break | December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19, 2026 |
| Spring Break | March 9–13, 2026 |
| Holiday (likely Good Friday) | April 3, 2026 |
| Juneteenth | June 19, 2026 |
FAQs
Q: When does the school year start and end for Knox County Schools?
A: The 2025 2026 academic year will run between August 7, 2025 (half day school opening for students) and May 21, 2026 (half day also).
Q: How can I enroll my child in Knox County Schools?
A: Parents have the option of enrolling the student online using the enrollment portal in the district or enrolling in person at the zoned school. Some of the required documents are proof of residency, birth certificate, and immunization records.
Q: Does Knox County Schools offer school bus transportation?
A: Yes, transport is given to the deserving students who live within the specified area. The information on bus routes and stops can be located via the school district or your child’s identified school.
Q: What are the main holidays and breaks during the school year?
A: The biggest ones are Fall Break (October), Thanksgiving Break (November), Winter Break (late December to early January), Spring Break (March), and national holidays such as Labor Day and MLK Jr. Day.
Q: Are meals provided to students at Knox County Schools?
A: Yes, breakfast and lunch are on a daily basis. There might be students eligible to get free meals or reduced-cost meals depending on family income. The applications can be applied at the Nutrition Services of the district.