Richmond Public Schools (RPS) is the school district serving the city of Richmond, Virginia. The district operates a diverse network of preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and specialty programs, providing public education to students across the city. RPS’s guiding motto, “We Love You Here,” reflects the district’s focus on building a culture in which students feel supported, families feel welcome, and staff feel valued.
The district includes well-known high schools such as Armstrong High School, John Marshall High School, Huguenot High School, and Thomas Jefferson High School, as well as several specialty and regional programs, including the Richmond Technical Center and Richmond Virtual Academy.
District Office Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 North Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia |
| Phone | (804) 780-7710 |
| Website | rvaschools.net |
Richmond Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027 — Key Dates
RPS operates on two calendar tracks: a standard 180-day calendar (most schools) and a 200-day calendar (RPS200 schools: Cardinal ES, Fairfield Court ES, Oak Grove-Bellemeade ES, and Woodville ES). Both calendars converge to the same schedule after the first week of the school year.
First Day of School
- RPS200 schools: Monday, 27 July 2026
- Grades PK–5, 6, and 9 (180-day calendar): Monday, 24 August 2026
- Grades 7–8 and 10–12 (180-day calendar): Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Nine-Week Grading Periods
| Period | End Date |
|---|---|
| End of 1st Nine Weeks | 28 October 2026 |
| End of 2nd Nine Weeks / 1st Semester | 22 January 2027 |
| End of 3rd Nine Weeks | 26 March 2027 |
| Last Day of School (students) | 4 June 2027 |
| Last Day for Teachers | 7 June 2027 |
Major Breaks and Holidays 2026-2027
| Break / Holiday | Dates |
|---|---|
| Labor Day Weekend | 4–7 September 2026 (RPS Closed) |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day | 12 October 2026 (RPS Closed) |
| Thanksgiving Break | 25–27 November 2026 (RPS Closed) |
| Winter Break | 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 (RPS Closed) |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | 18 January 2027 (RPS Closed) |
| Spring Break | 29 March – 2 April 2027 (RPS Closed) |
| Memorial Day | 31 May 2027 (RPS Closed) |
| Juneteenth Holiday | 17 June 2027 (RPS Closed) |
Additional Wellness Days, Professional Learning Days, and Election Day (3 November 2026) are also non-instructional days for students. Religious and cultural observance dates (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Passover, and others) are noted in the official calendar for awareness, though they do not all result in school closures.
Last verified: 27 June 2026. Official source: Richmond Public Schools — School Year Calendar, 2026-27 RPS Calendar PDF
Caregiver/Parent Conference Dates
- Secondary Schools: 12 November 2026 (after-school) and 11 March 2027 (after-school)
- Elementary Schools: 19 November 2026 (after-school) and 18 March 2027 (after-school)
How Families Can Use This Calendar
Knowing the RPS calendar in advance helps families:
- Plan travel and family time around official breaks rather than instructional days
- Prepare for the two different first-day-of-school dates, depending on which RPS200 or traditional school their child attends
- Stay aware of grading-period end dates to track academic progress
- Attend scheduled caregiver/parent conferences each semester
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the RPS200 calendar and the traditional calendar?
RPS200 schools (four elementary schools) follow a 200-day calendar that starts earlier, in late July. All other RPS schools follow a standard 180-day calendar starting in late August. Both converge to the same schedule after the first week.
When does the 2026-2027 school year start for most RPS students?
For grades PK–5, 6, and 9, school starts Monday, 24 August 2026. For grades 7–8 and 10–12, school starts on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.
When is winter break for Richmond Public Schools?
Winter break runs from 21 December 2026 through 1 January 2027, with schools closed.
Who do I contact for school-specific information?
Contact the Richmond Public Schools district office at (804) 780-7710, or visit rvaschools.net for individual school directories.