Last week, we shared that Chicago Public Schools board members have pressed pause on the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school calendars due to the rising debate on when the first semester should end: before or after winter break? CPS proposed these calendars for approval at last month’s board meeting but pulled them from the agenda after some board members raised concerns they heard from parents of high schoolers.
Board members then proposed an earlier start to the school year (Aug. 24, 2026) in exchange for finishing semester exams before the holidays. The main concern noted about post-holiday testing was in regards to students’ mental health, and having a break as an opportunity for resetting and spending time with families rather than studying and worrying about upcoming tests.
This week, CPS has pitched keeping the end of the first semester after winter break for the next two school years after CPS officials conducted a survey and created three options for calendars. According to Chalkbeat, 55% of those surveyed preferred the option the district is recommending, in which the first semester would end after winter break. Alternatively, 37% of people preferred option two, which would end the first semester before winter break, and 8% wanted the option of starting school a few days earlier and having a shorter Thanksgiving break.
Here’s what locals are telling us in regards to this debate:
Here’s what others are saying about the proposed dates:
“Looks good to me! And I am a teacher and a parent,” Cyn D Zarzoza shares on a photo of the proposed calendar.
“I wish the calendar would reflect a date that would have the semester end before winter break, that way when students and teachers return, we would be in semester 2 instead of having to review and prepare for finals after a 2 week break. It is more of a challenge to finish semester 1 after a two week break than to start a 2nd semester after a break. Putting students first also means putting their potential to do better first. I.J.S.,” Bobie Knight shares on that same photo.
“I love it that it starts August 24, love it!!!” Beata Kozik shares.
