Hendry County florida schools calendar

Sugar cane fields, cattle ranches, and Lake Okeechobee’s southern shore define the communities served by the Hendry County School District, which educates roughly 7,000 students in Clewiston, LaBelle, and the rural areas between them. Two towns about 30 miles apart each run their own elementary, middle, and high schools under one calendar, so the district’s dates must work for two distinct communities at once. The calendar also builds in recovery time for storms and, in recent years, a week-long fall break.

School District Structure in Hendry County

Florida organizes public education by county, so Hendry County has one district, one school board, and one calendar. The governing body is the Hendry County School Board, and the Superintendent of Schools manages operations. The district’s administrative offices are in Clewiston, while LaBelle is the county seat. The board meets on a recurring schedule, and agendas and minutes are posted on the district website. Check there for current meeting dates, since they are set annually.

The district operates a full set of schools in both towns. In Clewiston, these include Central Elementary, Eastside Elementary, Westside Elementary, Clewiston Middle School, Clewiston High School, and the Clewiston Early Learning Center. In LaBelle, they include LaBelle Elementary, Country Oaks Elementary, Edward A. Upthegrove Elementary, LaBelle Middle School, LaBelle High School, and an adult and vocational program. The Seminole Tribe’s Ahfachkee School, on the Big Cypress Reservation, operates separately from the district and sets its own calendar. There are no city school systems or other independent districts in the county.

Hendry County is rural and agricultural, and families in both towns often depend on seasonal work tied to sugar, citrus, and cattle. Long bus routes through farmland and across the Caloosahatchee River corridor make transportation a major factor in how the district builds each year’s schedule.

Academic Calendar Structure

Hendry County schools typically open in the second week of August and close in late May. Public calendar compilations show the 2026-27 year beginning on August 10, 2026, and ending on May 28, 2027. Those dates come from a third-party site, so confirm them on the district’s own calendar. The School Board adopts each year’s calendar in the spring, and the board-approved version is posted on the district website.

The year is divided into two semesters. The fall semester runs from August to the last school day before winter break, and the spring semester begins in early January. Progress is generally reported in nine-week grading periods, giving students four report cards, while high school courses use semester exams and credits.

Florida requires 180 instructional days or the equivalent in hours. Hendry County builds a 180-day calendar and sets the school day to meet the state’s hour requirements. Bell schedules are set by school, and elementary and secondary start times are often staggered to coordinate buses. Confirm your child’s current bell times with the school office, because they can shift from year to year.

School Holidays and Breaks

The Hendry County calendar generally follows the pattern common to Florida’s Heartland districts:

• Labor Day: first Monday of September, no school.
• Fall break: Hendry has recently included a full week off in the fall, which is less common in Florida. Check the adopted calendar for the exact week.
• Veterans Day: often observed, though the board decides each year.
• Thanksgiving break: usually the full week or the Wednesday through Friday of Thanksgiving week.
• Winter break: typically about two weeks around Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: third Monday of January.
• Presidents’ Day: may be a single day off or part of a longer weekend, depending on the year.
• Spring break: usually in March, about one week.
• Memorial Day: falls after the school year ends in most years.

Exact dates shift annually, so verify them against the official district calendar.

How to Find the Official Hendry County School Calendar

The official calendar is posted on the Hendry County School District website at hendry-schools.org. Look under “District,” “Parents,” or “Community” for a downloadable PDF. Drafts may circulate before the spring board vote, and only the board-adopted version is official. Third-party calendar sites copy dates from district sources and may lag behind changes.

For a look at how neighboring Heartland counties handle the same state requirements differently, compare the Hardee County schools calendar with the Hendry County schools calendar. Both are agricultural counties in south-central Florida with long bus routes and storm seasons, yet Hardee follows the Peace River corridor and citrus country while Hendry centers on Lake Okeechobee, sugar, and the Caloosahatchee. Each board adopts its own start date, breaks, and makeup-day plans, so families with relatives or work in both counties should not assume the schedules line up.

Individual schools also keep supplemental calendars for athletics, clubs, and events. Schools in both Clewiston and LaBelle post these separately, so families with children at more than one campus should check each one.

Early Release Days, Teacher Workdays, and Professional Development

Teachers report several days before students return in August for planning, training, and classroom preparation. During the year, some weekdays are teacher planning days or professional development days, and students are not in attendance. They are marked on the district calendar.

Early release days are used for planning time, training, or the end of a grading period. Families usually hear about them through the district’s automated call or text system, school newsletters, and the website. In a county where many parents work agricultural shifts, advance notice matters, so these dates are typically communicated well ahead. Florida requires teachers to complete certification renewal and other training, and much of it is scheduled on non-student days. Hendry’s planning days also serve a second purpose: after tropical weather closures, the district may convert them into school days.

Emergency Closures and Weather Days

Hendry County is inland but exposed. Hurricanes that cross South Florida, including Wilma in 2005, Irma in 2017, and Ian in 2022, have brought high winds, rain, and power outages to the Lake Okeechobee region. Flooding along the Caloosahatchee River, severe thunderstorms, and tornado warnings are more frequent disruptors. Snow is not a factor.

The Superintendent decides on closures in consultation with Hendry County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and neighboring districts. When a storm is forecast, closures are often announced a day or more ahead. Schools can also serve as shelters, which may extend a closure beyond the storm itself. If an evacuation order affects the county, follow emergency management instructions first and watch for district updates.

Closures are communicated through the district’s automated phone and text alerts, the district website, and social media. Regional media carry announcements as well, including Fort Myers television stations such as NBC2 (WBBH) and WINK, along with local newspapers and radio serving the Lake Okeechobee area. Make sure your contact information is current with your child’s school.

For makeup days, Hendry builds designated days into its calendar, may convert teacher planning days, and can extend the school year. Florida districts may also request relief from the state after a major disaster. The district announces how a specific closure will be handled.

Graduation and End-of-Year Schedule

High school final exams usually fall in the last week or two of the school year. Clewiston High School and LaBelle High School each hold graduation in late May, typically at a school stadium or gym, with dates and venues announced by each school. Elementary and middle school end-of-year events are set by the individual schools.

Report cards are issued at the end of each nine-week period. Families can view grades and attendance through the district’s online parent portal, and school offices can help with login issues. Final report cards are available shortly after the last day.

Back-to-School and Registration Information

Enrollment and re-enrollment generally open in the spring or early summer, with the busiest period in July. New residents can register at their zoned school or through the district office, and the district may offer online enrollment steps. Because the county has two main population centers, confirm which campus serves your address.

Florida requires these documents to enroll a child:

• Proof of residency, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement
• A certified birth certificate or other proof of age
• An up-to-date Florida immunization record and a physical exam
• Records or withdrawal forms from the previous school

Schools post supply lists in the summer, and many hold orientation or open-house events shortly before school begins. Those dates appear on each school’s calendar.

Special Programs and Their Calendar Implications

Hendry County has no magnet schools, but several programs may follow different schedules. The Clewiston Early Learning Center and other Pre-K programs, including Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program, may run on separate calendars. The LaBelle adult and vocational program follows its own schedule. Dual enrollment students often take courses through Florida SouthWestern State College, whose calendar can differ from the district’s breaks. Virtual options offer flexible pacing while following state testing windows, and the Seminole Tribe’s Ahfachkee School sets its own dates. Ask the school counselor or district office whether a program has its own schedule.

Athletics and Extracurricular Calendar Context

High school athletics are governed by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), not the district. Seasons are separate from the academic calendar but linked to it. Fall sports such as football and volleyball start shortly after school opens, winter sports run through the holiday break, and spring sports finish near the end of the year. Practices and games sometimes continue during breaks, and exam weeks can affect schedules. Check with the athletic departments at Clewiston High School and LaBelle High School for current season details.

State-Level Calendar Requirements and How Florida Law Governs Hendry County

The Florida Department of Education and the State Board of Education set the framework, and the Florida Legislature defines instructional requirements in state law. The core standard is 180 instructional days or the equivalent in hours, with different hour minimums by grade level. State law also limits how early a district may open the school year. Within those limits, the Hendry County School Board decides on holidays, breaks, teacher workdays, and daily schedules. The state also sets testing windows, and after a major disaster it can grant relief, though districts usually adjust their own calendars first.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does school start in Hendry County, Florida?
School typically starts in the second week of August. The School Board sets the exact date each year, so check the official calendar.

When does school get out for summer in Hendry County?
The last day is usually in late May, depending on the calendar adopted that year.

How many days are in a school year in Hendry County?
The district follows Florida’s requirement of 180 instructional days or the equivalent in hours.

How do I find out if school is cancelled today in Hendry County?
Watch for automated call and text alerts, check the district website and social media, and follow Fort Myers stations such as NBC2 and WINK along with local news sources.

What is the spring break schedule for Hendry County schools?
Spring break normally falls in March and lasts about a week. Exact dates change yearly, so consult the adopted calendar.

How do I enroll my child in Hendry County schools?
Contact your zoned school or the district office, and bring proof of residency, a birth certificate, an immunization record, and a physical exam.

Are there any year-round schools in Hendry County?
The district follows a traditional August-to-May calendar. Virtual options offer flexibility, but there are no year-round school buildings, so confirm with the district.

Who do I contact about school calendar questions in Hendry County?
Start with the Hendry County School District office or your child’s school office. The district website lists current contact information.