| Event | Date(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 10, 2027 (Tue) | School Opens |
| Labor Day | September 6, 2027 (Mon) | No School |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2027 (Thu) | No School |
| Fall Break (Thanksgiving) | November 22–26, 2027 | No School |
| End of First Semester (86 Days) | December 17, 2027 (Fri) | Early Dismissal |
| Winter Break | December 20, 2027 – January 3, 2028 | No School |
| Students Return After Winter Break | January 5, 2028 (Wed) | School Resumes |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 17, 2028 (Mon) | No School |
| Presidents' Day | February 21, 2028 (Mon) | No School |
| End of Third Quarter | March 9, 2028 (Thu) | Report Card |
| Spring Break | March 13–17, 2028 | No School |
| No School for Students | April 14, 2028 (Fri) | No School |
| Last Day of School (Early Dismissal) | May 25, 2028 (Thu) | School Closes |
Complete month-by-month calendar for Polk County Public Schools. Every day is color-coded so you can see school days, holidays, and breaks at a glance.
Polk County Public Schools serves approximately 115,000 students in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City, and surrounding Central Florida communities. Polk County Public Schools is the sixth-largest district in Florida, serving students across a diverse mix of urban and rural communities in the heart of the state. The district operates over 150 schools and offers extensive choice and magnet programs, including STEM academies, International Baccalaureate (IB), and career and technical education.
\nPolk County also operates the Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School in partnership with Polk State College, where students can earn an Associate's degree alongside their high school diploma. The 2027-2028 calendar was approved by the School Board on February 24, 2026.
The first day of school for all Polk County students is Tuesday, August 10, 2027.
Spring Break runs from Monday, March 13 through Friday, March 17, 2028. Students return the following Monday.
The last day of school for the 2027-2028 year is Thursday, May 25, 2028. Students are dismissed early.
Polk County has designated storm makeup days: November 22–23, 2027, January 4, 2028, and May 25, 2028 (last student day). Non-refundable travel tickets should not be purchased on these dates.
Yes. Polk County schedules 10 early dismissal days throughout the 2027-2028 year where students are dismissed 2.5 hours early: September 3, October 14, October 29, November 19, December 17, January 14, February 18, March 10, April 13, and May 25.
Florida's FAST assessments are administered in three windows: fall (September), midyear (January), and spring (April–May). Polk County follows the statewide testing calendar. FTE survey weeks are October 4–8, 2027 and February 7–11, 2028.
Yes. Polk County partners with Polk State College for dual enrollment. The district also operates the Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, where students can earn an Associate's degree alongside their high school diploma.
Data Source: This calendar is compiled from the official Polk County Public Schools 2027-2028 Instructional Calendar approved by the School Board on February 24, 2026.
Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with Polk County Public Schools or the Florida Department of Education. While we strive for accuracy, always verify important dates with the official district website.
Last updated: March 22, 2026