Mendocino County California Schools Calendar

Roughly 13,000 students attend public schools in Mendocino County, but there is no single county calendar, because the students are split among about a dozen separate school districts. A family in Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Willits, Boonville, or Covelo may see different start dates, break weeks, and early release days even though they live in the same county. This guide explains how those calendars are set and where to find the one that applies to your child.

School District Structure in Mendocino County

California calls this level of government a “county,” and Mendocino County is a large, mostly rural county on the state’s North Coast. Unlike Mariposa County, which has one unified district, Mendocino County is divided among many independent school districts, each with its own elected governing board and its own calendar. The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) provides services and oversight to all of them but does not set their calendars.

The largest district is Ukiah Unified School District, which serves roughly 6,000 students from its office at 511 South Orchard Street in Ukiah. The other districts include:

• Fort Bragg Unified (312 South Lincoln Street, Fort Bragg)
• Willits Unified (1277 Blosser Lane, Willits)
• Mendocino Unified (44141 Little Lake Road, Mendocino)
• Leggett Valley Unified
• Laytonville Unified
• Potter Valley Community Unified
• Anderson Valley Unified, which serves the Boonville area
• Round Valley Unified, which serves the Covelo area
• Smaller districts in the south coast area around Point Arena

The county also has several charter schools, including River Oak Charter School and Redwood Collegiate Academy in Ukiah, Three Rivers Charter School in Fort Bragg, and Willits Charter School. Charters sometimes follow a calendar that differs slightly from their sponsoring district.

MCOE is led by an elected County Superintendent of Schools, Nicole Glentzer, whose four-year term began in January 2023, so check MCOE’s site for current leadership. A five-member Mendocino County Board of Education governs county-run programs such as court and community schools. MCOE’s main number is (707) 467-5000.

Each district board meets on its own published schedule, usually monthly. Check your district’s website for meeting dates and agendas, especially in the spring when calendars are typically adopted.

Academic Calendar Structure

Most Mendocino County districts use a two-semester calendar, with a fall semester that ends around winter break and a spring semester that begins in early January. Grading systems vary by district and school. Elementary schools often use trimesters or quarters for report cards, while high schools such as Ukiah High, Fort Bragg High, and Willits High grade by semester.

In recent years, Ukiah Unified has started school around the third week of August and finished in early June. Other districts follow similar patterns, but each sets its own dates. Because the county has so many districts, never assume that a neighboring district shares your calendar.

School-day hours vary by campus. Elementary, middle, and high school schedules differ, and small rural schools in places like Leggett or Round Valley may run on different bell times than the larger schools in Ukiah. Look up your school’s hours on its own page.

School Holidays and Breaks

Mendocino County districts typically observe the standard California holidays and breaks:

• Labor Day in early September
• Veterans Day on November 11
• Thanksgiving break, usually several days
• Winter break, typically about two weeks across Christmas and New Year’s
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January
• Presidents’ Day, often with a mid-winter break week in February in some districts
• Spring break, usually in late March or early April
• Memorial Day in late May

California has no statewide fall break. Exact dates change each year, so rely on your district’s adopted calendar.

Linking Your Calendar Searches Across California Counties

Families who move between regions of California, or who have relatives in different parts of the state, often compare calendars to plan visits and vacations. A family planning around both the North Coast and the Sierra foothills, for example, can check the Mendocino county schools calendar next to the Mariposa county schools calendar. The two counties are both rural and wildfire-conscious, but Mendocino has many districts while Mariposa has one, so the calendars look quite different.

How to Find the Official Mendocino County School Calendar

Because there is no single county calendar, start by identifying your district. Each district posts its adopted calendar on its own website, usually under sections labeled “District,” “Parents,” or “Community.” Most boards adopt the following year’s calendar at a spring meeting, and a PDF is generally posted soon after.

MCOE’s website at mcoe.us has a directory of districts and schools, which is a useful starting point if you are new to the county and unsure which district serves your address. Individual schools may also publish their own calendars for events, sports, and activities, so check your child’s school page as well.

Early Release Days, Teacher Workdays, and Professional Development

Teachers generally return a few days before students for workdays and planning. During the school year, districts schedule professional development days when students are not in attendance, and some use early release or minimum days for staff training or parent conferences. These dates are marked on each district’s calendar and are usually announced to families through the district’s notification system and school newsletters.

Because Mendocino County has long bus routes between small communities and the coast, early release times can matter more here than in a compact suburban district. Confirm the schedule with your school.

Emergency Closures and Weather Days

Mendocino County’s terrain makes closure decisions district-specific. Winter storms can flood low-lying areas and close roads, and the major routes connecting the county, including Highway 101, Highway 1 along the coast, and Highway 128 through Anderson Valley, are subject to closures. Wildfire smoke and fire evacuations are a concern in summer and fall, and utility power shutoffs can also affect schools. Remote communities such as Covelo in Round Valley can be cut off when roads close.

The superintendent or designee in each district decides whether to close or delay school. Districts typically notify families through automated calls, texts, or emails, their websites, and social media. Local news sources that may carry closure information include the Ukiah Daily Journal, the Mendocino Beacon, the Fort Bragg Advocate-News, the Willits News, the Anderson Valley Advertiser, and KZYX public radio.

California allows districts to request approval from the California Department of Education for certain emergency closure days. Whether a district adds makeup days depends on its policy, so check your district’s website.

Graduation and End-of-Year Schedule

High school finals typically take place in the last week or two of the spring semester. Graduation ceremonies at Ukiah High, Fort Bragg High, Willits High, Mendocino High, and smaller schools usually fall in late May or early June. Venues vary: larger schools may hold ceremonies on their athletic fields or in gymnasiums, while smaller schools often hold them on campus. Elementary and middle school promotion ceremonies are scheduled by each school.

Report cards and grades are typically available through each district’s parent portal. Contact your school for access.

Back-to-School and Registration Information

Families new to the county should first confirm which district serves their address, then contact that district’s office or school. Enrollment typically opens in the spring and continues through summer. California districts generally require proof of the child’s age, proof of residency, and immunization records. Transitional kindergarten and kindergarten eligibility depend on the child’s age as of the state cutoff date, so confirm eligibility with your district.

School supply lists are usually posted on school pages before the start of the year, and many schools hold orientation or meet-the-teacher events around the first week of school. These appear on school-level calendars.

Special Programs and Their Calendar Implications

Several programs in Mendocino County may run on different schedules. In Ukiah Unified these include Ukiah Independent Study Academy and South Valley High, a continuation school. Fort Bragg Unified has Noyo High, a continuation school, and Willits Unified has Sanhedrin Alternative and New Horizons. Charter schools such as River Oak, Three Rivers, and Willits Charter may set their own calendars. MCOE operates county community schools and early childhood programs that follow their own schedules.

High school students who take dual enrollment courses through Mendocino College may follow the college’s calendar for those classes. Ask your school about any program-specific dates.

Athletics and Extracurricular Calendar Context

High school athletics in Mendocino County fall under the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), and schools in the county compete in the CIF North Coast Section. Athletic schedules are separate from the academic calendar but linked to it. Fall sports often begin practice before the first day of school, and some games and tournaments fall during breaks or near exam periods. The athletic office at your school has current schedules.

State-Level Calendar Requirements and How California Law Governs Mendocino County

California sets the baseline for every district in the county. The California Department of Education oversees requirements for a minimum number of instructional days and minimum instructional minutes by grade level. Districts that fall short can lose state funding, so each board designs its calendar to meet those minimums. Within that framework, each Mendocino County district decides its own start and end dates and where breaks and staff development days fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does school start in Mendocino County, California?
It depends on the district. Many districts start in mid to late August. Check your district’s adopted calendar.

When does school get out for summer in Mendocino County?
Most districts finish in late May or early June, depending on the district’s calendar.

How many days are in a school year in Mendocino County?
California sets minimum instructional days and minutes, and each district’s calendar is built to meet them. Your district’s calendar shows the count.

How do I find out if school is cancelled today in Mendocino County?
Check your district’s website, social media, and automated notifications. Local news sources and KZYX public radio may also carry closure announcements.

What is the spring break schedule for Mendocino County schools?
Spring break usually falls in late March or early April, but it varies by district.

How do I enroll my child in Mendocino County schools?
Identify your district by address, then contact the district office or your child’s school. Bring proof of age, residency, and immunization records.

Are there any year-round schools in Mendocino County?
Districts in the county generally follow traditional calendars. Ask your district whether any program uses a different schedule.

Who do I contact about school calendar questions in Mendocino County?
Contact your district’s office first. MCOE at (707) 467-5000 can help you identify the right district.