Houston ISD and Surrounding School Districts: Key Dates and Changes for the Upcoming Year

Can you believe that summer is right around the corner?! It feels like this year has flown by, and for millions of families across the greater Houston area, warmer weather means that summer vacation is coming soon! While we’re all ready for those long, sunny days and a break from the books, it’s also the perfect time to get ahead of the game and start prepping for the 2025-26 school year. Our team is here to help ensure that your schedule accounts for important school holidays, events, and more. After all, there’s nothing worse than showing up to school on a holiday when nobody is there!

Most of Houston’s 2.3 million residents are part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), which is the largest school district in Texas and one of the largest in the United States! The greater Houston area is also home to 24 other school districts, so even if you live outside of HISD, we’ve put together a handy guide with all the important dates and details you’ll need for the upcoming school year! Read on to learn more!

First Day of School: Tuesday, August 12th, 2025

Mark your calendars, Houston! The first day of school for Houston ISD students is Tuesday, August 12th. Keep in mind that some schools may have a student orientation scheduled before the first day of classes; these typically consist of meet and greets with the faculty and a briefing of important school information. Be sure to check your school’s website for more information on when and where these orientations are taking place!

2025-26 Holidays and Recess Dates

Hooray for holidays! Here are some of the holidays that Houston ISD recognizes and offers students a break from classes on: 

School Holidays:

Labor Day: Monday, September 1st 2025

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 19th 2026

Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 16th 2026

Chavez-Huerta Day: Monday, March 30th 2026

Memorial Day: Monday, May 25th 2026

Recesses:

Staff PD Day: Thursday, October 2nd to Friday, October 3rd 2025

Thanksgiving Break: Monday, November 24th to Friday, November 28th 2025

Holiday Break: Monday, December 22nd to Friday, January 2nd 2026

Spring Break: Monday, March 9th to Friday, March 13th 2026

Summer Break: Starts on Friday, June 5th 2026

Staff PD Days = No Classes for Students

Houston ISD and many other school districts in the greater Houston area have a handful of staff professional development (PD) days each semester. These days are all about giving teachers time to sharpen their skills, explore new teaching strategies, and create even better classrooms for their students. No classes are held on staff PD days, so be sure to check your school calendar and plan something fun to do in Houston with your kiddos while they’re out of school!

Remember Chavez-Huerta Day on March 30th!

While schools across the country close for major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter so families can celebrate together, Houston ISD adds an extra meaningful day off to the calendar: Chavez-Huerta Day! This holiday honors Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, two important figures from the civil rights movement who fought for the rights of American farm workers over 50 years ago. Chavez-Huerta Day is celebrated every year on March 31st, yet many Houston-based school districts cancel classes to observe this holiday on March 30th in recognition of their accomplishments.

5th Quarter: Voluntary Summer Classes

For many Houston ISD schools, the last day of classes will be Thursday, June 4th. However, if you want to keep your young students’ minds sharp during summer break, a voluntary 5th quarter is offered! Starting Wednesday, June 10th, students can attend summer classes to help them meet promotion standards and enhance their test-taking skills, particularly for the STAAR and TAKS tests. The 5th quarter is just over a month-long, ending on July 19th, to ensure that all students can enjoy some much-deserved free time!

Moving to Houston? Find Your Perfect Home with HomeSite!

Whether you’re looking to move to Houston or want to move to another part of the city, finding a home that’s located in a highly-rated school district is important for families with young children. With house prices increasing daily, it can be challenging to find an affordable place to live that meets all your needs. However, renting a home with HomeSite Residential offers families a luxurious living experience at a competitive price! Our communities are located in some of the best school districts in Houston. With amenities such as landscape maintenance, 2-car garages, new appliances, and more, you and your family have a place to call home that fits your budget. Ready to make the move? Check out our available listings today to see what we have to offer!