Simple ScheduleSouth Dakota School Calendars 2026-2027
Fall break, Thanksgiving, winter and spring break for South Dakota school districts, plus first and last days.
It's the weekend: no school in South Dakota today.
Fall break
Not common
few districts take one
Thanksgiving break
Wed – Fri
Nov 25–27
2026 · most common dates
Winter break
Wed – Fri
Dec 23 – Jan 1
2026 · most common dates
Spring break
Fri – Mon
Mar 26–29
2027 · most common dates
Holidays and South Dakota schools
Each 2026-2027 holiday on a school day, and the share of South Dakota districts we track with no school that day.
| Holiday | Date | Type | No school |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Federal holiday | 100% |
| Native Americans' Day | Mon, Oct 12 | Federal holiday | 100% |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Federal holiday | 25% |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Federal holiday | 100% |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Federal holiday | 100% |
| New Year's Day | Fri, Jan 1 | Federal holiday | 100% |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 18 | Federal holiday | 100% |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | Mon, Feb 15 | Federal holiday | 100% |
South Dakota school district calendars
Open a district for every day off, early release and break in 2026-2027.
| District | First day | Last day | Thanksgiving | Winter break | Spring break | No-school days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Public School District | Aug 18 | May 17 | Nov 26–27 | — | Mar 15–19 | 22 |
| Meade School District 46-1 | Aug 27 | May 25 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 23 – Jan 1 | Mar 26–29 | 25 |
| Rapid City Area Schools | Aug 24 | May 26 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 23 – Jan 5 | Mar 22–29 | 28 |
| Sioux Falls School District | Aug 27 | May 26 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 23 – Jan 1 | Mar 26–29 | 24 |
Dates come from each district's published calendar and can change. No-school days count weekdays off between the first and last day, not weekends or summer.
South Dakota school calendar questions
When is Thanksgiving break 2026 in South Dakota?
Most often Nov 25–27, 2026: about 75% of the South Dakota districts with a Thanksgiving break take it then, and students are back Mon, Nov 30. For example: Sioux Falls School District, Nov 25–27; Rapid City Area Schools, Nov 25–27; Meade School District 46-1, Nov 25–27.
When is winter break 2026 in South Dakota?
Most often Dec 23 – Jan 1: about 67% of the South Dakota districts with a winter break take it then, and students are back Mon, Jan 4. For example: Sioux Falls School District, Dec 23 – Jan 1; Rapid City Area Schools, Dec 23 – Jan 5; Meade School District 46-1, Dec 23 – Jan 1.
When is spring break 2027 in South Dakota?
Most often Mar 26–29, 2027: about 50% of the South Dakota districts with a spring break take it then, and students are back Tue, Mar 30. For example: Sioux Falls School District, Mar 26–29; Rapid City Area Schools, Mar 22–29; Meade School District 46-1, Mar 26–29.
Do South Dakota schools get the whole week of Thanksgiving off?
Most don't: only about 0% of the South Dakota districts we track close for the full week. The most common Thanksgiving break is Wed to Fri, Nov 25–27.
How long is winter break in South Dakota?
Usually 8 school days, about 2 weeks. The most common winter break runs Dec 23 – Jan 1, and most South Dakota students go back Mon, Jan 4.
When does school start in South Dakota?
Most often Aug 27, 2026 (about 50% of the South Dakota districts we track). Aberdeen Public School District starts earliest, on Aug 18; Sioux Falls School District and Meade School District 46-1 start latest, on Aug 27.
When is the last day of school in South Dakota?
Most often May 26, 2027 (about 50% of the South Dakota districts we track). Aberdeen Public School District finishes earliest, on May 17; Sioux Falls School District and Rapid City Area Schools finish latest, on May 26.
Is there school on Veterans Day in South Dakota?
In most districts, yes: only about 25% of the South Dakota districts we track have no school on Veterans Day (Wed, Nov 11).
How many days off do South Dakota schools have?
About 25 weekdays off on average between the first and last day, counting breaks, holidays and teacher days, not weekends or summer. That's fewer than the 28 we see across all districts we track.
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