Central Florida School Calendar: 2026-27 Key Dates

When Does the 2026-27 School Year Start in Central Florida?

School starts the week of August 10, 2026 in Central Florida. Orange County Public Schools begins Tuesday, August 11, and Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties begin Monday, August 10, with Polk starting Tuesday, August 11. The five districts share similar holiday windows: Thanksgiving week in late November, a winter break from late December through the first days of January, and a spring break in mid-March. Orange County's magnet and scholastic academy applications for the 2027-28 school year open October 13, 2026 and close December 18, 2026.

One Look: Key Dates by District

Dates verified September 24, 2026 from district calendars and approved board calendars. Teacher workdays, early-release days, and the exact student return dates after each break vary by district; always confirm with the official district calendar for your address.

Official District Calendars

• Orange County Public Schools calendars
• Seminole County Public Schools calendars
• School District of Osceola County
• Lake County Schools academic calendars
• Polk County Public Schools calendars

Why the Calendar Matters to Relocators

Central Florida starts the school year in early August, not September. That matters for families moving over the summer: most districts begin the week of August 10, 2026, so a move timed for early August gives children a full first week. Moving mid-year is common here, and districts register new students throughout the year, but a move scheduled during a break (Thanksgiving week, winter break, or spring break) gives the family breathing room to settle in.

Winter break falls December 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027 across all five districts, which lines up with the busiest travel weeks of the year in Orlando. If you are planning a family trip or a move over the holidays, see our 2026 Orlando holiday events guide for what is happening around those weeks.

2027-28 Enrollment: OCPS Magnet and Scholastic Academies

Orange County Public Schools opens its magnet and scholastic academy application window for the 2027-28 school year on October 13, 2026, and applications close December 18, 2026. The district offers 34 magnet programs and 29 scholastic academies for 2027-28. Applications use a single form with ranked school choices, and placements follow program criteria and a lottery where required. Families relocating to Orange County who want a magnet school for fall 2027 should start the application before the December 18 deadline, even if they have not yet closed on a home.

Each of the other four districts runs its own choice, magnet, and open-enrollment process on its own schedule. Check the applicable district's official page for current window dates, because district choice windows do not all line up.

How New Residents Enroll Mid-Year

• Find your zoned school. Each district publishes an address lookup or school zoning map. Use the street address of your new home, not the city on a mailing label.
• Gather documents. Districts typically require proof of residency (lease or utility bill), the child's birth certificate, and up-to-date immunization records. Requirements are consistent across Florida districts but vary slightly in process.
• Contact the school office. Call or visit the school to complete registration. Zoning and program assignments can change; districts can confirm the current assignment for your address.
• Ask about transfers. Florida offers controlled open enrollment within a district when a school has capacity. Each district publishes its own transfer window.

We keep school coverage factual and neutral: we report district boundaries, calendars, and processes, and we point you to the official district for address-level verification. See the school districts guide for the full five-county overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does school start in Orange County in 2026?

Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties start Monday, August 10, and Polk County starts Tuesday, August 11.

When is winter break for the 2026-27 school year?

Monday, December 21, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027 for Orange County, with students returning Monday, January 4, 2027. Seminole students return Tuesday, January 5. The other districts follow the same December 21 through January 1 window; confirm return dates with your district.

When is spring break 2027?

Most Central Florida districts take the week of March 15-19, 2027. Lake County's spring break is March 22-26, 2027. Confirm with your district since teacher workdays add a day on either side.

When do OCPS magnet applications open for 2027-28?

October 13, 2026, with applications due December 18, 2026. The district lists 34 magnet programs and 29 scholastic academies for 2027-28. Program details and criteria are on the OCPS magnet page.

Do all Central Florida districts share one school calendar?

No. The five county districts set their own board-approved calendars, and while breaks often fall in the same weeks, first day, return dates, teacher workdays, and early-release days differ. Use the official calendar of the district serving your address.

Calendar dates verified September 24, 2026 from official district calendars and approved board schedules. School zoning and calendars change; always verify address-level assignments with the applicable district.