Back to School St. Johns & Duval County 2026-2027

Key dates, calendar differences, and how local families can get ready for the new school year.

Summer's winding down, and for families across St. Johns County and Duval County, that means backpacks, school supply lists, and the return of morning carpool lines. Here's what local families need to know to head into the 2026-2027 school year prepared.

back to school traffic

Key Dates for Both Districts

Both St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) and Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) kick off the 2026-2027 school year on Monday, August 10, 2026, and both wrap up on Friday, May 28, 2027. Beyond that shared start and end date, the calendars diverge a bit.

St. Johns County School District

First day of school: August 10, 2026
Thanksgiving Break: November 23–27, 2026
Winter Break: December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Spring Break: March 15–19, 2027
Last day of school: May 28, 2027
Note: SJCSD schools dismiss one hour early every Wednesday throughout the year for teacher collaboration time.

Duval County Public Schools

First day of school: August 10, 2026 (an early release day)
Thanksgiving Break: a full week off, November 23–27, 2026, new for this school year after the school board approved extending it from previous years
Winter Break: December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Spring Break: March 15–19, 2027
Last day of school: May 28, 2027

Both districts build in additional teacher planning and in-service days throughout the year (SJCSD has one in late September, mid-October, early January, and mid-February; DCPS has several scattered through the fall and winter), so it's worth keeping an eye on each district's official calendar for the exact no-school days that affect your family's schedule.

Getting Ready

Confirm enrollment and immunization records early. Both districts recommend handling paperwork well before the first day rather than waiting until the last week of summer, when front-office lines get long.
Check bus routes and start times. A few schools in St. Johns County are shifting start times for the 2026-2027 year, so if your child is starting at a new school, it's worth double-checking rather than assuming last year's schedule carries over.
Expect heavier morning traffic starting August 10. Whether you're near a school zone in Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, or on the Duval side near the Beaches, give yourself extra time that first week as everyone re-adjusts to school zone speed limits and drop-off patterns.

Supporting Local Schools

Back-to-school season is also a great time to get involved locally.

School supply drives run through local churches, community centers, and civic groups in both counties each summer, a simple way to help a family that might be stretched thin ahead of the new year.
PTA/PTO welcome events at the start of the year are an easy entry point if you're new to the area and want to meet other families.
Teachers appreciate the basics. If you're looking for a way to help beyond your own household, tissues, hand sanitizer, and basic classroom supplies are almost always on a teacher's wish list in the first few weeks.

A Few Notes for New Families

If you've recently moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, or the surrounding area, know that St. Johns County and Duval County are separate school districts with their own enrollment processes, even though they border each other closely. Double-check which district your address falls into before assuming; it can vary block by block near the county line.

Whether this is your first back-to-school season in the area or your tenth, here's to a smooth start on August 10.

School calendar details are based on each district's published 2026-2027 academic calendar. Because districts sometimes adjust calendars for weather makeup days or other changes, families should confirm exact dates on the SJCSD and DCPS official websites closer to the start of the year.

Posted by Jennifer Heller on July 20th, 2026