The Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education approved the 2026–27 school year calendar at its regular meeting on March 26.
The first day of school for students in grades 1–12 will be Friday, August 7, 2026. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will begin on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The final day of school is scheduled for May 20, 2027.
Beginning the school year on a Friday provides a gentle transition for students, staff, and families, helping ensure a smooth and successful start. A shorter first day allows students to meet their teachers, learn routines, and become familiar with schedules without the pressure of a full week. Schools can also use this time to focus on relationship-building, review expectations, and address logistical needs such as transportation, enrollment adjustments, and schedule corrections. Any issues that arise can then be addressed over the weekend, allowing the first full week to begin with greater organization and readiness.
The calendar includes 173 instructional days and meets the New Mexico Public Education Department requirement of 1,140 instructional hours. It also provides six days for teacher professional development and planning at the beginning of the school year, in January, and at the end of the year.
Students and staff will have a full week off for Thanksgiving Break and two full weeks off for Winter Break in December. Spring Break is scheduled from Friday, March 26, through Monday, April 5, providing 11 consecutive days off, including weekends.
High school graduation ceremonies will take place May 19–21, 2027. Mandela International Magnet School and Early College Opportunities High School will hold ceremonies on Wednesday, May 19. Santa Fe High School will celebrate graduates on Thursday, May 20, and Capital High School will hold its ceremony on Friday, May 21.
The calendar was developed by a committee of administrators, principals, staff, and parents. This year, SFPS families also had the opportunity to provide input through an online survey. More than 1,800 participants shared feedback and were split on starting later in August, which would require high school students to take fall semester finals after returning from Winter Break in January. Ultimately, the committee selected the August 7 start date, allowing students to complete fall semester finals before Winter Break.
The full 2026–27 school calendar can be viewed at: www.sfps.info/page/school-calendar.
