2026-2027 Calendar Drafts

2026–2027 Proposed School Calendars Now Available for Review

Mary Walker School District is sharing two draft versions of the proposed 2026–2027 school calendar for community review. Both drafts are available below for families, staff, and community members to review carefully.

One of the primary considerations in these drafts involves a potential adjustment to our current four-day school week structure. At present, our 154-day calendar includes four scheduled student Fridays during the school year. Attendance on those Fridays has historically been low. As a result, we are exploring a shift to a clean, consistent 150-day calendar, similar to many neighboring four-day districts.

Under this proposal, all student Fridays would be eliminated from the calendar. In order to meet Washington State instructional hour requirements, high school students would attend approximately 10 additional minutes each day.

The difference between the two draft calendars occurs in the month of November. Both versions recognize Veterans Day. In one draft, students would return to school on the Thursday following Veterans Day. In the other draft, that Thursday would also be taken off, extending Veterans Day into a late fall or early winter break. This approach aligns with the broader movement toward a more balanced school calendar, with intentional breaks placed throughout the year to support student and staff well-being.

In addition to reviewing the calendar structure, we continue to look for ways to strengthen our K–5 daily schedule. As part of that work, we are considering expanded opportunities at the end of the elementary school day. Potential enhancements may include:

• Math Club activities

• Reading Club activities

• CharacterStrong Purposeful People SEL time

• Recess and specialty rotations such as physical education, art, and music

Our goal is not simply to adjust the calendar, but to thoughtfully improve how instructional time supports student learning, engagement, and overall development.

We value your input. A Google Form link is included on this page to gather family and community feedback. Please take a few minutes to review the draft calendars and share your thoughts as we move forward in this important planning process.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting Mary Walker students.