Agenda Item
Meeting Date:
11/30/2023 - 6:30 PM  
Category:
New Business and Reports to the Board  
Type:
Info  
Subject:
2024 to 2027 Academic Calendars  
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement
ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
 
Policy:
IC/ID - School Year / School Day  
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable):
 
File Attachment:
231130_Memo_Board_Academic_Calendar_Overview_v2.pdf
231130_Att1_Presentation_2024-2027 Academic Calendar_v3.pdf
231130_Att2_2024-2025 Traditional Academic Calendar-DRAFT.pdf
231130_Att3_2024-2025 Samuel Tucker Modified Academic Calendar - DRAFT.pdf
231130_Att4_2025-2026 Traditional Academic Calendar - DRAFT.pdf
231130_Att5_2025-2026 Samuel Tucker Modified Calendar - DRAFT.pdf
231130_Att6_2026-2027 Traditional & Tucker Academic Calendar - DRAFTS.pdf
 
Agenda Item Summary:
This memo provides the School Board with 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic calendar recommendations for approval and the 2026-2027 calendar for review.

The proposed 2024 - 2025 and 2025 - 2026 School Year Calendars prioritize student attendance and staff retention. New features include:
● Shift from one and a half days for parent-teacher conferences in fall and winter to two full days in the fall (one month apart) and one day in the winter
● Two full days for conferences in the fall increases opportunities for family engagement across all levels early in the school year
● Elimination of half-day conferences while maintaining expectation for hosting evening conferences
● Addition of Veterans Day observance as a holiday for students and staff
● Coupling of Teacher Work Day and Professional Development Day at the end of the first semester
● Increased 5-day instructional weeks for students

The proposed calendars continue to build on prior efforts in the following areas:
● A two-year calendar cycle to support long-range plans for school programs, facilities projects and family activities
● Pre-Labor Day start to the school year
● Recognition of diverse holidays in alignment with the 2025 Strategic Plan “Equity for All”
● Four early release days for high school at the end of year to accommodate testing
● More than the minimum 990 instructional hours providing flexibility in the event of unexpected school closures
 
Background:
The calendar committee convened to make recommendations to the superintendent based on regulations provided by the Board in June 2023. The committee has prepared a three-year calendar outlook. The first two years are for Board adoption, and the third year is for Board information and review.  
Recommendation
The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review and approve the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 calendars and review the 2026-2027 academic calendar.  
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt - Superintendent