Highlands County florida schools calendar

Highlands County’s calendar is settled earlier than most. The School Board of Highlands County approved its 2026-27 calendar in October 2025, well ahead of the usual spring timeline, for a district serving roughly 11,000 students in Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, and the citrus and ranch country around them. The calendar also reserves four designated hurricane makeup days, a planning feature that matters in a Heartland county where storms still reach even though the coast is far away.

School District Structure in Highlands County

Florida organizes public education by county, so Highlands County has one district, one school board, and one calendar. The governing body is The School Board of Highlands County, and the Superintendent of Schools, currently Brenda Longshore according to local news coverage, manages operations from the district office at 426 School Street in Sebring, 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’s schools include Sebring High School, Avon Park High School, and Lake Placid High School, four middle schools, a group of elementary schools that includes Avon Elementary and Fred Wild Elementary, an alternative program for grades 6 through 12, and Highlands Virtual School. There are no separate city districts in the county.

Highlands County is largely rural, with three population centers spread across a wide area. Students in Lake Placid, Sebring, and Avon Park can live a long bus ride from one another, so schedules, transportation, and campus capacity are central to calendar planning. District enrollment has been drifting downward in recent years, a trend the board has discussed in public meetings.

Academic Calendar Structure

Highlands County schools typically open in the second week of August and close in late May. For 2026-27, the board-approved calendar has teachers working August 3 through 10 and students starting on August 11, 2026. The last day for students is May 27, 2027, an early release day that also ends the final nine weeks. Those dates come from the board’s calendar as compiled by news and third-party sources, so confirm them on the district website.

The year is divided into two semesters, with the fall semester ending in the days before winter break and the spring semester beginning in early January. Progress is reported in four nine-week grading periods, and the first one ends on October 9, 2026. Progress reports and report cards go home on a regular schedule, and high school courses use semester exams and credits.

Florida requires 180 instructional days or the equivalent in hours. Highlands County builds a 180-day calendar and uses early release days, some of which can convert to full days after storm closures, to protect the instructional total. Bell schedules are set by school level, so confirm your child’s current times with the school office.

School Holidays and Breaks

The Highlands County calendar generally includes the following:

• Labor Day: first Monday of September, no school. In 2026 it falls on September 7.
• Fall break: Highlands has not typically used a week-long fall break, but it often schedules a student holiday and teacher workday in October. Check the adopted calendar.
• Thanksgiving break: a holiday break around Thanksgiving, listed for November 21 through 29 in 2026.
• Winter break: about two weeks, starting in late December and running into the first days of January, followed by a couple of student holidays for teacher workdays.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: third Monday of January, which is January 18 in 2027.
• Presidents’ Day: typically observed as a holiday weekend in February.
• Spring break: usually in March or April. In 2025-26 it ran from March 14 through 22.
• Memorial Day: falls after the last day of school for students in most years.

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

How to Find the Official Highlands County School Calendar

The official calendar is posted on the district website at highlands.k12.fl.us. Look under “District,” “Parents,” or “Community” for a downloadable PDF. Unlike many Florida districts, Highlands has recently adopted its calendar the previous fall, so next year’s dates may be available earlier than you expect. Third-party calendar sites copy dates from district sources, and revised versions can circulate, so check that you are looking at the board-approved version.

For a comparison of two Florida districts that plan for storms differently, see the Hernando County schools calendar alongside the Highlands County schools calendar. Hernando sits on the Gulf Coast north of Tampa with a suburban population, while Highlands is an inland Heartland county with citrus, ranchland, and a smaller student body. Both set aside makeup days for hurricanes, yet the number of days, early release patterns, and adoption timing differ, so families who have lived in both should not assume the dates match.

Individual schools also keep supplemental calendars for athletics, clubs, and events. Families with children at more than one campus should check each school’s page.

Early Release Days, Teacher Workdays, and Professional Development

Teachers report several days before students return in August for workdays and professional development. During the year, Highlands schedules six early release days, some tied to teacher workdays and professional development, such as late August and September in 2026. Several student holidays in October and January also double as teacher workdays.

Families usually hear about early releases through the district’s automated call or text system, school newsletters, and the website. In a rural county where many students ride buses, dismissal changes require coordination, so these days are posted well in advance. Highlands also designates two early release days that would become full days if needed to make up for storm closures. Florida requires teachers to complete certification renewal and other training, and much of it is scheduled on non-student days.

Emergency Closures and Weather Days

Highlands County’s weather risks include hurricanes and tropical storms, severe thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and the occasional freeze that matters more to citrus growers than to schools. Hurricane Charley in 2004, Irma in 2017, and Ian in 2022 all brought damaging winds to the Heartland. Snow is not a factor. Lake Placid, Sebring, and Avon Park also sit among many lakes, so localized flooding can affect roads.

The Superintendent decides on closures in consultation with Highlands 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. The Highlands News-Sun and regional television stations in the Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers areas also carry announcements. Make sure your contact information is current with your child’s school.

For makeup days, the 2026-27 calendar designates four hurricane makeup days, two more than the prior year, and two early release days could convert to full days if needed. Florida districts may also request relief from the state after a major disaster.

Graduation and End-of-Year Schedule

High school final exams usually fall in the last week or two of the school year. Sebring High School, Avon Park High School, and Lake Placid High School each hold graduation in May, typically at school stadiums or larger local venues, and dates are announced by each school. Teachers follow the last student day with workdays. Elementary and middle school end-of-year events are set by the individual schools.

Report cards are issued at the end of each nine weeks, with progress reports in between. 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, with the busiest period in July. New residents can register at their zoned school or through the district office in Sebring, and online enrollment steps are typically available. Because the three towns are spread out, 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

Highlands County has no large magnet system, but several programs may follow different schedules. Highlands Virtual School offers flexible pacing while following state testing windows. The alternative program for grades 6 through 12 may have its own hours. Dual enrollment students often take courses through South Florida State College, whose main campus is in Avon Park and whose calendar can differ from the district’s breaks. Pre-K, including Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program, may run on a separate calendar, and a hospital and homebound program serves students who cannot attend in person. 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 department at your school for current season details.

State-Level Calendar Requirements and How Florida Law Governs Highlands 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 School Board of Highlands County decides on holidays, breaks, teacher workdays, early releases, 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 Highlands County, Florida?
School typically starts in the second week of August. For 2026-27, the board-approved calendar shows August 11, 2026, but confirm on the district website.

When does school get out for summer in Highlands County?
The last day is usually in late May. The 2026-27 calendar lists May 27, 2027, as an early release day.

How many days are in a school year in Highlands 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 Highlands County?
Watch for automated call and text alerts, check the district website and social media, and follow the Highlands News-Sun and regional television stations.

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

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

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

Who do I contact about school calendar questions in Highlands County?
Start with The School Board of Highlands County office in Sebring or your child’s school office. The district website lists current contact information.