School is in session! Must-know back-to-school info in and around Baltimore

two girls smiling and holding a banner that says "1st Day of School"

Whiteboards were clean this morning, backpacks were filled with notebooks that had not yet been covered with doodles, and as happens every year, school communities woke with all the feelings that flood in on the first day of school. Anxiety, hope, excitement, a mix of all three and more balloon in that space between the stomach and the ribs, a combination that exists in adults and children alike.

While this author grew up in a part of New York where school never began before Labor Day Weekend, she has learned after 35 years here in Maryland that August is the norm and, in some parts of the country, (Heaven forfend!) even July!

Here is a round-up of start dates for school systems in and around Baltimore City, along with some other helpful links to make this time of year a little easier for families around the region. Have a wonderful 2026-27 school year to children, families, teachers, and everyone in area school communities helping to raise the next generation of fantastic Maryland citizens.

BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

First day of school: Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

First holiday (school closed): Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, for Labor Day

Back-to-School Family Learning Night: Monday, Sept. 28, 5–7 p.m.

2026-27 Back-to-School Handbooks

2026-27 BCS Calendar – Full

2026-27 BCS Cal e ndar – One-page (English)

2026-27 BCS Calendar – One-page (Spanish)

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

First day of school: Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

First holiday (school closed): Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, for Labor Day

Back-to-School Nights: Vary from school to school. Dates available here.