Bellingham Public Schools is reminding families of several schedule changes coming up this month, including a full school closure on Friday, May 15, two early dismissal days, and the Memorial Day holiday at the end of the month. The district's communications office issued the reminder this week to give parents and caregivers time to arrange childcare and adjust schedules.
Bellingham Public Schools serves more than 10,000 students across elementary, middle, and high schools in Bellingham, Washington. May is typically one of the busiest stretches of the school year, with spring sports, end-of-year testing, and the final stretch before summer, making these schedule disruptions worth planning around early.
The most significant change is the Friday, May 15 closure. This date was held on the district calendar as a potential weather makeup day for any snow closures or other emergency cancellations during the school year. Because the 2025-2026 school year did not require any makeup days, the date was not needed and will instead be a full day off for all students and most staff.
Surrounding that closure are two early dismissal days: Thursday, May 14 and Thursday, May 21. On both dates, schools will dismiss earlier than usual to allow staff time for professional development and collaborative planning. The dismissal schedule is as follows: elementary schools dismiss at 12:20 p.m., middle schools dismiss at 1:15 p.m., and high schools dismiss at 2 p.m. Parents of students in before- and after-school programs should check with their individual programs about how early dismissal days are handled.
At the end of the month, all Bellingham schools and the District Office will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day. Classes resume and offices reopen on Tuesday, May 26. Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May each year and is a federal holiday honoring the nation's military veterans who have died in service.
Looking ahead, the district has also noted important June dates on the school calendar. Tentative graduation ceremonies are scheduled for June 6 for Sehome High School (10 a.m.), Squalicum High School (1 p.m.), and Bellingham High School (4 p.m.). The last day of school is tentatively set for June 12, though that date could shift depending on whether any additional closures occur between now and then.
Families are encouraged to consult the full district calendar for a complete list of dates and events through the end of the school year. Questions about specific school schedules or early dismissal childcare arrangements should be directed to individual school offices.
