DadeSchools 2025 Calendar Released: Key Dates, New Policies, and Must-Know Tips for Miami-Dade Families

Parents and students across South Florida can officially circle Thursday, August 14, 2025 on the family calendar: that’s the first day of class for all Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) students in the 2025-26 academic year, following unanimous approval of the new district calendar earlier this year. Why this matters Search traffic for “dadeschools” spikes every July and August as families scramble for start dates, holiday breaks, testing windows, and teacher planning days. Locking in the key benchmarks now helps parents finalize childcare, employers coordinate time-off requests, and high-schoolers schedule SAT/ACT prep. Key dates for 2025-26 • First day of school: Thu Aug 14, 2025 • Labor Day: Mon Sep 1 (schools closed) • End of first grading period: Fri Oct 17 • Fall Recess / Thanksgiving week: Mon-Wed Nov 24-26 (students & 10-month employees off) • Winter Break: Mon Dec 22 – Fri Jan 2, 2026 (classes resume Mon Jan 5) • Spring Break: Mon Mar 23 – Fri Mar 27, 2026 • Last day for students: Thu Jun 4, 2026 What’s new this year Later high-school bell times State legislation mandating that high schools begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. goes into full effect district-wide this fall. Expect revised transportation routes; families should download the Dadeschools Mobile App for updated bus schedules as they’re released. Digital resources The district has refreshed its Back-to-School portal (backtoschool.dadeschools.net) with a one-stop checklist for immunizations, uniform policies, and device pickup. New this year: an online magnet-program locator that lets parents filter by interest area and commute time. Expanded Fall Recess Last year’s pilot three-day Thanksgiving week break becomes permanent, giving families a full five-day window for holiday travel without tapping into personal leave. Tips to stay ahead of the rush 1. Register early: New students can complete most enrollment steps online; campus visits are only required for final document verification. 2. Confirm transportation: Bus assignments drop in the parent portal roughly two weeks before Aug 14—set a calendar reminder so changes don’t get lost in email. 3. Update immunizations: Clinics report the longest lines in early August; schedule pediatric appointments in June or July to avoid last-minute scrambles. 4. Bookmark key links: • Parent Portal • Lunch application • Activity fee payments • School-supply lists (posted in early July). Looking further ahead The board has already adopted the 2026-27 calendar—students will start a day earlier on Thu Aug 13, 2026—giving families two years of runway for long-term planning. Bottom line With the official 2025-26 schedule locked in, Miami-Dade families can shift from guessing to preparing. Secure childcare, book travel during the new Fall Recess, and keep an eye on the Dadeschools app for bell-time adjustments. The countdown to August 14 has begun—make the most of it by planning now.