Wake County Schools Calendar – Wake County’s 2025–26 traditional school year starts in late August 2025 (teacher pre‑planning at the beginning of that week) and ends mid‑June 2026, with the last student day taking place in June 2026. Students will have a Winter Break from December 22, 2025, through January 1, 2026, with the first workday for teachers back on January 2. There are also built-in make‑up/banked days effective February 16 and May 1, should the calendar be disrupted by extreme weather. After the last day in June, the year hauls into summer break, which continues to the conclusion of August in 2026, when the 2026-27 school year commences.
2025-2026 School Calendars / Overview
Wake County Schools Calendar 2025-2026
| 📅 Date(s) | Event |
|---|---|
| July–August 2025 | Teacher pre‑planning & staff development day |
| August 27, 2025 | First day for students |
| Sept 20, 2025 | Teacher workday (students off) |
| Oct 3, 2025 | Teacher workday (students off) |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Teacher workday (students off) |
| Nov 1 & Nov 5, 2025 | Teacher workdays |
| Nov 27–29, 2025 | Thanksgiving Break |
| Dec 23, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026 | Winter Break (schools closed) |
| Jan 2 & Jan 21, 2026 | Teacher workdays |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Teacher workday |
| Mar 14, 2026 | Snow/makeup teacher workday |
| Mar 31 – Apr 4, 2026 | Spring Break |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Snow/makeup teacher workday |
| May 2, 2026 | Snow/makeup teacher workday |
| May 26, 2026 | Memorial Day (schools closed) |
| June 13, 2026 | Last day for students |
| Post‑June 13, 2026 | Teacher post‑planning / make-up days as needed |
Wake County Public School System Calendar 2025-26 (WCPSS) or the Wake County School System is the largest school district in North Carolina and one of the largest school districts in the United States. With more than 160,000 students, WCPSS enrolls a great number of elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as special and magnet programs that address the varying needs of students. The district focuses on high academic achievement, innovation, and equality over access to rigorous courses, arts activities, gifted opportunities, and career and technical education opportunities. As their mission states that they strive to provide college, career, and citizenship preparedness to everyone pursuing education in the WCPSS, the organization keeps prioritizing quality teaching and learning assistance.
2025-2026 Academic Calendar –Wake County Public School System (WCPSS): Besides academic focus, Wake County Schools take part in various programs for student well-being, such as mental health, involvement in the community, and extracurricular activities. To accommodate parents, the district has various schedules, such as the traditional, the year-round schedules, as well as the modified schedules. With highly qualified teachers, good leadership, and dedication to constant improvement, WCPSS establishes a partnership with the parents, businesses, and community leadership to establish a favorable learning environment. Having balanced traditions and progressive strategies, Wake County Schools will develop lifetime learners and good citizens of the global world.
Wake County Schools Holidays 2025-2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Mon, August 25, 2025 | First Day of School |
| Mon, September 1, 2025 | Labor Day (No School) |
| Mon, October 13 – Fri, October 17, 2025 | Fall Break (No School) |
| Tue, November 11, 2025 | Veterans Day (No School) |
| Wed, November 26 – Fri, November 28, 2025 | Thanksgiving Break (No School) |
| Mon, December 22, 2025 – Fri, January 2, 2026 | Winter Break (No School) |
| Fri, January 2, 2026 | End of First Semester |
| Mon, January 5, 2026 | Second Semester Begins |
| Mon, January 19, 2026 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School) |
| Mon, April 6 – Fri, April 10, 2026 | Spring Break (No School) |
| Fri, April 17, 2026 | Good Friday (No School) |
| Mon, April 20, 2026 | Easter Monday (No School) |
| Mon, May 25, 2026 | Memorial Day (No School) |
| Thu, June 11, 2026 | Last Day of School |
WCPSS 2025–2026 Teacher Workdays & Calendar
| Event | Estimated Date/Range | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Planning Teacher Workdays | Early August 2025 | Classroom setup, staff meetings |
| First Official Teacher Day | ~1 week before student start | District-wide orientation and training |
| Labor Day (No Work) | September 1, 2025 (Monday) | Paid holiday |
| Fall Teacher Workday | Mid-October 2025 | Grading or PD (no students) |
| Election Day Teacher Workday | November 4, 2025 (Tuesday) | No students – planning or PD |
| Thanksgiving Break (Off) | November 26–28, 2025 | Holiday |
| Semester End Teacher Workdays | Mid-December 2025 | Grading and semester closeout |
| Winter Break (Off) | Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026 | Holiday break |
| New Year Planning Day | Early January 2026 | Semester 2 planning |
| Mid-Year Teacher Workday | Early March 2026 | Mid-semester PD |
| Spring Break (Off) | First or second week of April | No work required |
| Last Student Day | Late May 2026 | Students dismissed |
| Post-Planning Teacher Workdays | Final week of May 2026 | Room closeout, final grades, end-of-year duties |
- Early August 2025: Pre-planning & teacher workdays
- Mid–August: Students return; teachers already in session
- Sept 1: Labor Day – Holiday
- Oct: Teacher workday or grading day
- Nov: Workday around Election Day; Thanksgiving Break
- Mid–Dec: Semester end + Teacher grading day
- Dec 22 – Jan 2: Winter Break – No work
- Early Jan: Teacher planning day before students return
- Feb: Presidents’ Day week – possible teacher workday
- Mar: Professional development day
- Apr: Full Spring Break week off
- May: Final exams + 1–2 teacher post-planning days
Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) 2025–2026 Bell Schedule
WCPSS Middle School Bell Schedule (Standard Day)
| Time | Activity | Teacher Role |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM – 7:15 AM | Arrival Window | Required sign-in; classroom prep |
| 7:30 AM – 8:20 AM | 1st Period | Teaching or planning |
| 8:25 AM – 9:15 AM | 2nd Period | Teaching |
| 9:20 AM – 10:10 AM | 3rd Period | Teaching |
| 10:15 AM – 11:05 AM | 4th Period | Teaching |
| 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM | 5th Period | Teaching or student supervision |
| 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM | Lunch Duty / Teacher Lunch | Supervision or break, depends on schedule |
| 12:50 PM – 1:40 PM | 6th Period | Teaching or planning |
| 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM | 7th Period | Teaching |
| 2:35 PM – 2:50 PM | Dismissal/Bus Hall Duty | Required staff duty |
WCPSS High School Bell Schedule (Standard 7-Period Day)
| Time | Activity | Teacher Role |
|---|---|---|
| 6:55 AM – 7:15 AM | Arrival & Classroom Prep | Required sign-in; ready for 1st bell |
| 7:25 AM – 8:15 AM | 1st Period | Teaching |
| 8:20 AM – 9:10 AM | 2nd Period | Teaching |
| 9:15 AM – 10:05 AM | 3rd Period | Teaching or planning |
| 10:10 AM – 11:00 AM | 4th Period | Teaching |
| 11:05 AM – 12:45 PM | 5th Period & Lunch (Rotating) | Teaching + monitoring lunch shifts |
| 12:50 PM – 1:40 PM | 6th Period | Teaching or co-planning |
| 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM | 7th Period | Teaching |
| 2:35 PM – 2:50 PM | Bus/Hall Supervision | Required teacher duty |
Notes for Teachers
- Planning Period: One 50-minute period/day, varies by assignment
- Duty Assignments: Morning hall, lunch, dismissal, or bus loop based on school
- Meeting Days: Professional learning or team planning after school, 1–2 days per week
- Early Release Days: Periods are shortened; teacher meetings follow student dismissal
- Digital/Remote Learning Days: Teachers provide asynchronous content or join PD
FAQs
Q: How do I find my child’s assigned school?
A: The school assignment tool of the district will allow you to find out the base school of your child, depending on your address (home address). This involves placement in elementary, middle, and high school.
Q: How do I enroll my student in Wake County Schools?
A: The registration begins online. You will also be required to present yourself at the designated/allotted base school with the necessary documents, such as an address, birth certificate, record of immunization, and other necessities, after providing the basic information.
Q: What are magnet and early college schools, and how do I apply?
A: Magnet schools and early college schools are specialized schools. The application process is done online, and the district has an application window. Students have an opportunity to apply to both, but once offered an early college position, that offer is accepted.
Q: Can I request a school transfer or change calendar types?
A: The families can ask to be transferred under hardship, calendar preference, or sibling placement. The requests are considered at a particular time every year and are at the will of availability and acceptance.
Q: Is school bus transportation available for all students?
A: Students at their base school are given bus service. Transportation comes in the form of possibly having transport provided to magnet/transfer students based on route availability and location. To use the bus services, registration is obligatory.