When does – Students in Pittsburgh Public Schools will start the new school year on Aug. 24 for most students, after summer break begins June 12. The 2026-2027 calendar also lays out winter break from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3 and spring break from March 22 to March 26, plus majo
On a calendar where family plans often get made months in advance, one date tends to settle the argument fast: when summer break actually ends.
In Pittsburgh Public Schools’ 2026-2027 school year calendar, summer break begins on June 12. For most students, the next school day is Monday, Aug. 24—after a gap of a little more than 10 weeks. Pittsburgh Public Schools employees are due back in the classroom ahead of students to get ready.
That early return matters for families trying to line up childcare, work schedules, and transportation changes. For students. the first day is also broken out by grade level: students in grades first through 12 will go back on Aug. 24, while kindergarteners will have their first day on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Teachers return earlier than students, with teachers due back on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Paraprofessionals are scheduled to return on Friday, Aug. 21.
Winter break arrives later in the school year, beginning Thursday, Dec. 24 and running through Jan. 3. Students return to classes on Monday, Jan. 4.
Spring break is slated for a late-March reset: it runs from Monday, March 22 through Friday, March 26, with students back in class on Monday, March 29.
Outside the main breaks, the district’s student schedule builds in additional time off. Pittsburgh Public Schools students will have 12 days off during the 2026-2027 school year, including:
Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7
Yom Kippur: Monday, Sept. 21
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, Jan. 18
Clerical and professional development days: Thursday, Jan. 21 and Friday, Jan. 22
Eid al-Fitr: Wednesday, March 10
Primary Election Day: Tuesday, May 18
Memorial Day: Monday, May 31.
Students also get eight half days during the year: Friday, Sept. 18; Friday, Oct. 9; Friday, Oct. 23; Friday, Nov. 20; Friday, Dec. 18; Friday, Feb. 12; Friday, Feb. 26; and Friday, March 12.
For families planning the end-of-year celebrations, graduation ceremonies were scheduled to run from Tuesday, June 2 through Friday, June 12. Most ceremonies are set to take place at Petersen Events Center, including Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11.
Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12 and University Preparatory School are scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Petersen Events Center. Carrick High School will hold its ceremony the same day, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Westinghouse Academy 6-12 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Barack Obama Academy of International Studies follows Wednesday, June 10, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Allderdice High School is set for Wednesday, June 10, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Petersen Events Center.
On Thursday, June 11, Perry High School will run from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Science and Technology Academy from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.; CAPA 6-12 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Brashear High School from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Other graduations are scheduled outside Petersen Events Center. Pittsburgh Online Academy’s commencement ceremony took place on Tuesday. June 9 at Cupples Stadium. while Pittsburgh Pioneer Education Center. Pittsburgh Conroy Education Center. and Bridges Academy are set to hold their ceremonies at their facilities from Tuesday. June 2 through Friday. June 12.
For parents and students, the centerpiece remains the same: summer break begins June 12, and the new school year—starting with most students on Monday, Aug. 24—turns the page just after mid-summer planning season ends.
Pittsburgh Public Schools school calendar 2026-2027 summer break winter break spring break Aug. 24 graduation dates Petersen Events Center student holidays half days
So summer break ends Aug 24?? That’s so soon.
Wait teachers go back Aug 18 but students Aug 24? How does that even help families. Also kindergarteners Aug 27 like that’s gonna be easier lol.
My cousin said Pittsburgh schools are starting earlier because of the election, so I’m confused. Like Election Day is in there Nov 3 so shouldn’t they be off then? Idk. Either way childcare is gonna be a mess.
Dec 24 to Jan 3 winter break… so basically they’re out basically most of the holidays anyway. Spring break March 22-26 but back March 29?? That’s a weird gap. Also “12 days off”?? feels like more than that when you count weekends and random days they cancel for weather.