Bellingham School District has released its complete calendar for the 2026-27 school year, along with a notable change to early dismissal scheduling that will affect families at every grade level. Starting next fall, all schools in the district will dismiss early every Thursday, creating a consistent weekly schedule for the first time across elementary, middle, and high school levels.
The Bellingham School District serves students across the city, operating more than a dozen elementary schools, several middle schools, and two traditional high schools along with alternative programs. The district's calendar decisions affect thousands of families throughout Bellingham who need to plan childcare, transportation, and after-school activities around the school schedule.
Under the new Thursday early dismissal schedule, high school students will be released at 1:15 p.m. Middle school students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m. Elementary students will continue dismissing at 12:20 p.m. on Thursdays, a schedule they have already been following in recent years. The change primarily brings consistency and predictability for families with children at multiple grade levels, who previously had to track different early dismissal days across schools.
The district explained the change in a message from its Communications and Community Relations department. The shift was developed in collaboration with labor partners, including the district's teachers union, and is designed to provide staff with regular protected time each week for collaboration, professional development, family engagement activities, and planning. Rather than using scattered early release days across the calendar, the Thursday structure creates a reliable weekly rhythm that both staff and families can plan around.
First day of school details are also confirmed in the new calendar. Grades 1 through 12 begin on Monday, August 31, 2026. Kindergarten and Promise K students start Wednesday, September 2. Preschool programs at Sunnyland, Cordata, Happy Valley, and Alderwood also begin September 2. Families with incoming kindergartners should note the two-day offset from the general school start date.
Community Transitions and other specialized programs may have their own start dates, and families enrolled in those programs should confirm their specific schedules through the district's communications. The district's online calendar page is the most current source for key dates and any adjustments made throughout the year.
A complete PDF calendar for 2026-27 is available through the district's website. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to download it now and plan around the Thursday early dismissal schedule before the school year begins. After-school programs, childcare providers, and activity coordinators in Bellingham will want to update their weekly schedules accordingly.
For families new to the district or considering enrollment for next year, the first day of school is August 31 for most grades. Enrollment information and school assignment details are available through the district's main office and website.
