Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell is seeking input from students, families, employees and community members as he considers whether to recommend to the Board of Education a change in this year’s school calendar that would eliminate six early-dismissal days and provide additional grading time for teachers and professional learning for other employees.
The possibility comes in light of legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2025 and signed into law by Governor Wes Moore that which provides Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) with flexibility in creating the school year calendar. Beginning with the current school year (2025-26), AACPS must have a calendar that meets the minimum number of seat hours at each level (1,080 at elementary and middle school and 1,170 at high school) and is not bound by the minimum number of school days (180). Prior to the legislation, AACPS had to meet both thresholds.
Dr. Bedell is considering recommending a shift that would eliminate the two early dismissal days at the end of the second, third, and fourth marking periods – something that families and schools alike have found enormously inconvenient – and instead shift to a full day for students followed by a full work day for staff on the last day of those marking periods. Students would not attend school on the last day of the second, third, or fourth marking periods. If the above scenario is put in place, January 15, 2026; March 26, 2026; and June 16, 2026, would become full school days. Students would then not attend school on January 16, 2026; March 27, 2026; or June 17, 2026. January 16 and March 27 are both Fridays in this school year.
The changes, if implemented, could also positively impact attendance, which traditionally is lower on partial school days, allow teachers more time for end-of-marking-period grading, and provide dedicated professional development time for Unit III and Unit IV employees. No employees would have their work hours reduced because of this calendar change should it occur.
Students, families, staff, and community members can complete a survey here through October 1, 2025. Dr. Bedell will review the information and then decide whether to bring a recommendation to the Board. He told the Board at its last meeting that any recommendation would come at the October 15, 2025, Board meeting so that the Board could consider adoption of it at its November 5, 2025, meeting.