Why do students have so many days off during the school year?

Maryland law requires that all public schools be closed on the following days:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Presidents Day
  • Good Friday 
  • Easter Monday
  • Memorial Day
  • Election Day (when applicable)
  • Thanksgiving
  • Friday after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day

The Howard County Board of Education also approves schools to be closed on a number of additional days, reflected in the calendar