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The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) has released its official 2025–2026 academic calendar, setting the stage for a well-structured school year that prioritizes student learning, professional development, and family engagement.

First Day of School and Grading Periods

Students will return to the classroom on Monday, August 4, 2025, with the year structured into four nine-week grading periods:

  • 1st Grading Period: Aug. 4 – Oct. 7
  • 2nd Grading Period: Oct. 20 – Dec. 19
  • 3rd Grading Period: Jan. 7 – Mar. 6
  • 4th Grading Period: Mar. 23 – May 22

The last day of school is set for Friday, May 22, 2026, which will be an early release day.

Intersessions and Accelerated Learning

EPISD continues its focus on academic recovery and enrichment with multiple intersession weeks:

  • Fall Intersession: October 13–17, 2025
  • Spring Intersession: March 16–20, 2026
  • Summer Intersession: June 8–26, 2026

These breaks are designed to offer additional instruction and intervention for students who need extra support, as well as enrichment opportunities for those looking to accelerate.

Early Release & Parent Conferences

Several early release days are scheduled throughout the year, often aligned with Parent/Teacher Conferences, including:

  • September 16–18
  • October 31
  • December 19
  • February 3–5
  • May 22

These days provide valuable time for teachers to engage with families and plan for student success.

Major Holidays and Breaks

Families can plan around the following major breaks:

  • Labor Day: September 1, 2025
  • Thanksgiving Break: November 24–28, 2025
  • Winter Break: December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026
  • Spring Break: March 16–20, 2026
  • Memorial Day: May 25, 2026

Other holidays include Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, and Good Friday.

Professional Development and Planning Days

The calendar includes a variety of Professional Learning and Work Days for educators to support instructional quality:

  • Multiple teacher development days in July and August
  • Exchange days for parent conferences
  • Planning and data reflection days strategically placed throughout the year

Bell Schedule & Instructional Minutes

EPISD campuses remain aligned with state requirements for instructional time:

  • Elementary Schools: 8:15 AM – 3:30 PM
  • Middle Schools: 7:30 AM – 2:45 PM
  • High Schools: 8:45 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Early Release Times: Vary by campus, starting as early as noon

Each school will meet or exceed the required 180 instructional days and incorporate additional inclement weather days for emergency use.

For more details and access to the full calendar, families can visit www.episd.org.

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