Morgan County Colorado Schools Calendar

Four school districts share the roughly 5,500 students of this Eastern Plains county: Fort Morgan RE-3, Brush RE-2(J), Wiggins RE-50(J), and the very small Weldon Valley RE-20(J). Each has its own board and its own calendar, so the first day of school and the dates of breaks can vary from one end of the I-76 corridor to the other. The county’s farming, dairy, and meatpacking economy also shapes how families plan around the school year.

School District Structure in Morgan County

Colorado uses the word county, and Morgan County is divided among four public school districts rather than served by one county system. The state lists them as Brush RE-2(J), Fort Morgan RE-3, Weldon Valley RE-20(J), and Wiggins RE-50(J), with Brush, Weldon Valley, and Wiggins belonging to Centennial BOCES. Fort Morgan RE-3 is the largest, with about 3,400 students, and operates from its administration office on West Platte Avenue in Fort Morgan. Brush RE-2(J) serves roughly 1,400 students from its office on Industrial Park Road in Brush. Wiggins RE-50(J) serves a bit over 600 students along the southern edge of the county, and Weldon Valley RE-20(J), based in Weldona, serves only a couple hundred. state

Each district is governed by its own elected Board of Education: the Fort Morgan RE-3 Board of Education, the Brush RE-2(J) Board of Education, the Wiggins RE-50(J) Board of Education, and the Weldon Valley RE-20(J) Board of Education. Boards generally meet monthly in public, and each district’s superintendent carries out board policy. Because the boards act independently, a family that moves from Fort Morgan to Brush, or from Wiggins to Weldona, should expect a different calendar.

The county is mostly rural and agricultural, with Fort Morgan and Brush serving as its two main towns. That affects transportation, since buses cover long distances across irrigated farmland, and it explains why small districts such as Weldon Valley have to be especially careful about scheduling.

Academic Calendar Structure

Morgan County districts typically open in early-to-mid August and close in late May. Brush offers a recent example of what the early part of the year looks like. Its 2026-27 calendar lists August 5 as the first day for teachers, includes a teacher comp day on November 27, and marks the first day of Semester 2. Student start dates follow the teacher workdays by a short interval, and other districts set their own dates. agendahero

Brush uses semesters, and the others generally do as well, with the fall term ending near the winter break and the spring term beginning in January. Grading periods within semesters, whether quarters or another structure, are set locally and described in each school’s handbook.

Colorado measures instructional time in days and hours, so some districts on the Eastern Plains choose a four-day week while others keep five days. Do not assume the weekly format is the same across the four districts, and verify it on each district’s calendar. School-day start and end times differ by building and level, so confirm elementary, middle, and high school hours with your child’s school.

School Holidays and Breaks

Typical Morgan County calendars include:

• Labor Day in early September
• A fall break or conference days in October in some districts
• Thanksgiving break, often the full week; note that Brush’s 2026-27 calendar includes a teacher comp day on the Friday after Thanksgiving agendahero
• Winter break, usually about two weeks around Christmas and New Year’s
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day
• Spring break, normally one week in March
• Memorial Day, which usually falls just after the last day of school

Sugar beet and corn harvests, and the county fair season in summer, are part of life here. The county’s calendar is built around the school year, but families often arrange travel around when the farm work allows. Exact dates move each year, so use the adopted calendar from your own district.

How to Find the Official Morgan County School Calendar

Because there are four districts, start by identifying the one that serves your address. Fort Morgan RE-3, Brush RE-2(J), Wiggins RE-50(J), and Weldon Valley RE-20(J) each maintain their own websites, and each posts its board-adopted calendar, often as a PDF under “District,” “Parents,” or “Community.” Boards typically adopt the following year’s calendar at a meeting in the winter or spring, and meeting minutes confirm the date.

If you are a parent comparing rural Colorado districts or thinking about a move across the state, the Morgan County schools calendar shows how four separate Eastern Plains districts each set their own year along one highway corridor, while the Montrose County schools calendar shows how a larger district on the Western Slope, backed by one small neighboring district, handles dates and breaks. Looking at the two together shows how much a calendar depends on local geography and local boards.

Individual schools also post supplemental calendars for concerts, conferences, assemblies, and sports, so check your child’s school page too.

Early Release Days, Teacher Workdays, and Professional Development

Teachers return in early August for workdays and planning. Brush’s calendar labels its first teacher day as teacher PLC and professional development time, which is a common pattern across the county. During the school year, districts may also schedule student-free days or half days for collaboration and training.

Early release days and non-student days are communicated through school newsletters, text and email alerts, and social media. Colorado does not set a single list of required teacher training days for every district, so each board decides its own schedule. Families should plan child care in advance for non-student days.

Emergency Closures and Weather Days

Winter on the Eastern Plains means wind, blowing snow, and the occasional blizzard that can close roads even when snow totals are modest. The routes that matter include Interstate 76, U.S. Highway 34, and U.S. Highway 6, along with rural county roads where buses run. Each district’s superintendent decides whether to delay or close, typically early in the morning after talking with transportation staff and checking road conditions.

Families are usually notified through the district’s automated call, text, and email system, its website, and social media. The Fort Morgan Times, the Brush News-Tribune, and local radio such as KFTM carry closure information as well. Keep your contact information current with your school.

Makeup policies are set by each board. Some districts add days at the end of the year, and because Colorado counts hours as well as days, boards sometimes have room to absorb a few missed days. Ask your district how it handles lost time.

Graduation and End-of-Year Schedule

High school finals fall in the last week or two before the end of the year in May. Graduation ceremonies are held in May in each community, including Fort Morgan, Brush, Wiggins, and Weldona. Fort Morgan’s graduation also includes students from its alternative high school. Elementary and middle school promotion events are scheduled by each building in the final days of school.

Report cards are issued at the end of each grading period, and families can view grades through their district’s online student portal. Contact your school for login help.

Back-to-School and Registration Information

Enrollment for returning students usually opens in the spring and continues through the summer for new arrivals. Register with the district that serves your address, at the central office or at the school your child will attend. Common requirements include:

• Proof of residency in the district
• A birth certificate or other proof of age
• Immunization records or an exemption form
• Records from the prior school

Fort Morgan and Brush have long served families who speak languages other than English, and districts typically offer translation help during registration. Supply lists are posted by schools over the summer, and open house events are usually held just before classes begin.

Special Programs and Their Calendar Implications

Morgan Community College has a campus in Fort Morgan, so high school students may be able to take concurrent enrollment courses on a college schedule that does not exactly match the district’s. Fort Morgan RE-3 also operates Lincoln High School, which serves students who need a different setting and may follow its own schedule.

Preschool and kindergarten calendars vary by district, and online learning options may follow different dates. Ask your district about any program your child is considering, and confirm start and end dates directly.

Athletics and Extracurricular Calendar Context

High school sports in Colorado are governed by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). Season dates, practice start dates, and postseason play follow CHSAA rules, not district calendars. Teams from Fort Morgan, Brush, Wiggins, and Weldon Valley travel across the plains for games, and in small districts students often play multiple sports and activities. Fall sports begin around the first week of school, and winter and spring seasons overlap with exam periods.

State-Level Calendar Requirements and How Colorado Law Governs Morgan County

Colorado is a local-control state, meaning each board adopts its own calendar within limits set by the Colorado Department of Education. The baseline is 160 days, though districts may meet the requirement with instructional hours set by grade level. This is why Morgan County’s four districts can adopt different weekly formats and different totals while all meeting state standards. Each board must also account for state and federal holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does school start in Morgan County, Colorado?
Classes generally begin in early-to-mid August, though each of the four districts sets its own date. Check the adopted calendar for your district.

When does school get out for summer in Morgan County?
Most districts end in late May. Exact dates vary by district and year.

How many days are in a school year in Morgan County?
It depends on the district’s schedule. Colorado’s baseline is 160 days or the equivalent in hours, and each district’s calendar shows its total.

How do I find out if school is cancelled today in Morgan County?
Watch for your district’s call, text, or email alert, check its website and social media, and follow the Fort Morgan Times, the Brush News-Tribune, or KFTM.

What is the spring break schedule for Morgan County schools?
Spring break is usually a week in March, but each district lists its own dates on its calendar.

How do I enroll my child in Morgan County schools?
Contact the district office or school that serves your address with proof of residency, a birth certificate, and immunization records.

Are there any year-round schools in Morgan County?
The districts follow traditional summer-break calendars. Ask your district about any program with a modified schedule.

Who do I contact about school calendar questions in Morgan County?
Start with the central office of your district: Fort Morgan RE-3 in Fort Morgan, Brush RE-2(J) in Brush, Wiggins RE-50(J) in Wiggins, or Weldon Valley RE-20(J) in Weldona.