The new end-of-school date has been set for June 26, 2026. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has added extra school days due to numerous weather-related delays. As mandated by Maryland law, public schools must have at least 180 school days each year. When there are too many cancellations and the school system exhausts its allotted snow days, MCPS typically includes make-up days at the end of the academic year.

However, a new bill currently under consideration in the Maryland General Assembly could change this requirement. The proposed legislation would permit school districts to fulfill either a set number of school days or a specified number of instructional hours.

This development is significant for MCPS, as the district already has longer school days and generally meets the required number of learning hours each year. If the bill is enacted, MCPS may not need to add extra make-up days.  

For students, this could translate into fewer last-minute calendar changes and a reduced likelihood of extending the school year into late June. Instead of tacking on additional days, MCPS could account for the instructional hours students have already completed.

As of now, the bill has not passed, so MCPS is still obligated to adhere to the current 180 school-day requirement.

Sources:  

Montgomery County Public Schools. “Emergency Closings.” Montgomery County Public Schools, www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/.

Montgomery County Public Schools. “School Calendar Information.” Montgomery County Public Schools, www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org.

“Lawmakers Move to Help Avoid Additional Make-Up Days After Storm Closures.” The MoCo Show, 23 Feb. 2026, mocoshow.com.