Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year!
The following message was sent to all families on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, text message, and push alert:
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We are excited to see all students in 1st grade through 12th grade on Monday, August 31, 2026. Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students start with a gradual entry. Please click here for more information.
We invite you to explore our Back-to-School checklist on hcps.org. There you will find information on everything from where to find required forms and documents, to when bus routes for the 2026-2027 school year will be available, and everything in between. It is your one-stop-shop for anything you need to know for the 2026-2027 school year.
Don't forget to bookmark your school's website to stay up to date with the latest information. Click here to see a complete list of all HCPS school websites.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep up with the latest system-wide news.
Finally, before the school year begins, we hope you will join us at the Back to School Bash on Monday, August 24, 2026, at IBEW Local 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. Come and meet some of our community partners, play catch on the outfield, meet Dr. Dyann R. Mack, and enjoy an IronBirds baseball game as we kick off the school year together as a community! Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
We hope you have a fantastic 2026-2027 school year!
8/11/2026 5:00 PM
Back to School Bash! Meet Superintendent Dr. Dyann R. Mack
Harford County Public Schools invites families to the Back to School Bash on Monday, August 24, 2026, at IBEW Local 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. This community celebration is a great opportunity to meet Superintendent Dr. Dyann R. Mack as HCPS kicks off the new school year alongside community partners and free back to school giveaways.
Gates open at 6:00 p.m., with Catch on the Field from 6:00 to 6:25 p.m. Bring a ball and glove to play catch in the outfield just like the IronBirds. First pitch for the Aberdeen IronBirds vs. Williamsport Crosscutters game is at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $10 (a per ticket processing fee applies) and can be purchased by clicking here. For more information, call (410) 297-9292.
7/13/2026 1:00 PM
Board of Education of Harford County Signs Superintendent Contract with Dr. Dyann R. Mack
On June 22, 2026 the Board of education of Harford County Board formally approved and signed the contract for Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) with Dr. Dyann R. Mack, marking a significant milestone for the school system and the community it serves.
During the Board’s meeting, members also presented Dr. Mack with a special proclamation recognizing her historic achievements and deep-rooted connection to Harford County. Dr. Mack is the first graduate of Harford County Public Schools to return as Superintendent, the first graduate of Joppatowne High School to serve in the role, and the first Black Superintendent in HCPS history.
“Dr. Mack’s journey from HCPS student to Superintendent is both inspiring and historic,” said Board of Education President Lauren Paige. “Her leadership reflects a deep understanding of our schools, our students, and our community. We are proud to welcome her into this role and confident in her vision for the future of Harford County Public Schools.”
Dr. Mack’s appointment underscores HCPS’s commitment to fostering leadership from within and celebrating excellence across the district. In accepting the proclamation, Dr. Mack expressed gratitude and a strong commitment to continuing the work of strengthening HCPS for all students.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as Superintendent of the school system that helped shape me,” said Dr. Mack. “I am deeply grateful to the Board for their trust and to this community for its support. Together, we will continue to build on our successes and ensure every student is Ready by Design.”
The Board’s proclamation highlights not only Dr. Mack’s professional accomplishments but also the significance of representation and the powerful message her leadership sends to current and future students across Harford County.
Dr. Mack will begin her tenure July 1, 2026, as Superintendent under the newly signed contract, working in partnership with the Board of Education, HCPS staff, students, families, and the broader community, to advance the district’s mission and goals.
6/24/2026 6:50 AM
Board of Education Approves Adjustments to 2026-2027 School Calendar
On April 27, 2026, the Board of Education of Harford County approved updates to the 2026–2027 school calendar to better plan for inclement weather days.
Three days during the school year—March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027—have been set aside as potential inclement weather makeup days (in that order). These replace the previous plan of adding makeup days to the end of the school year. *If no weather-related school closures occur before these dates, schools and offices will be closed on those days.
This change follows a resolution from the Maryland State Board of Education, which requires school systems to build inclement weather makeup days into the school year rather than placing them at the end. The state also allows up to three additional inclement weather days to be handled through virtual instruction, for a total of six possible makeup days (three in-person and three virtual).
Making these changes allows HCPS to remain eligible to request a calendar waiver from the state, if needed, and ensures the school system is able to consider virtual instruction as an option for inclement weather. As soon as details regarding potential use of virtual instruction for inclement weather become available, the details will be shared with the HCPS community.
As a result of this update, the last day of school for students in kindergarten through grade 11 will be an early dismissal on Thursday, June 17, 2027.
The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español.
4/29/2026 9:30 AM
2026-2027 School Year Calendar UPDATE
The following message will be shared in the Wednesday Wire on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with all families:
On April 27, 2026, the Board of Education of Harford County approved updates to the 2026–2027 school calendar to better plan for inclement weather days.
Three days during the school year—March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027—have been set aside as potential inclement weather makeup days (in that order). These replace the previous plan of adding makeup days to the end of the school year. *If no weather-related school closures occur before these dates, schools and offices will be closed on those days.
This change follows a resolution from the Maryland State Board of Education, which requires school systems to build inclement weather makeup days into the school year rather than placing them at the end. The state also allows up to three additional inclement weather days to be handled through virtual instruction, for a total of six possible makeup days (three in-person and three virtual).
Making these changes allows HCPS to remain eligible to request a calendar waiver from the state, if needed, and ensures the school system is able to consider virtual instruction as an option for inclement weather. As soon as details regarding potential use of virtual instruction for inclement weather become available, the details will be shared with the HCPS community.
As a result of this update, the last day of school for students in kindergarten through grade 11 will be an early dismissal on Thursday, June 17, 2027.
The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español.
4/28/2026 1:16 PM
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