The Roaring Fork School District Board of Education unanimously approved the academic calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years during its final meeting of 2024, held on Wednesday at the Carbondale District Office.

The newly adopted calendars maintain a structure similar to previous years but introduce subtle changes in dates. Under the new schedule, kindergarteners through eighth graders will start the school year with a day dedicated to student and family orientation. High school students will commence their classes on the same day, while grades K-8 will officially begin their academic programs the following day. All RFSD schools will reopen Aug. 20, 2025, and Aug. 19, 2026, respectively.

This simultaneous approval of two years’ schedules alleviates concerns for parents, ensuring they have visibility into their children’s school schedules up to 2027. Additionally, students and teachers can look forward to a four-day weekend on Oct. 10-13, 2025, and from Oct. 9-12, 2026. The quarter will conclude on the subsequent Friday, setting the stage for the first parent-teacher conferences scheduled Oct. 24, 2025, and Oct. 23, 2026.

During the meeting, the possibility of a four-day school week was discussed. Although this idea was briefly mentioned in the staff memo, it was not a primary focus. Board Director Kenny Teitler raised the question to RFSD Superintendent Anna Cole, who responded thoughtfully.

“When we are trying to center students, we are trying to really target the service of our emerging bilingual students and our students of color and address the needs of those particular groups of students. I have not seen compelling evidence that states that moving to a four-day school week would align with our strategic goals,” Superintendent Cole said. “Are there interesting benefits and compelling reasons related to savings or work-life balance that make that worth looking into? Sure, but if we’re going to start with our priorities around student achievement… There’s, again, not strong evidence to support that.”

The calendar also outlines breaks for the academic years, with Thanksgiving scheduled for November 22-30, 2025, and November 21-29, 2026. Winter break begins in late December. The second semester will start on Jan. 6, 2026, and Jan. 5, 2027, respectively.

One notable difference between the two school years concerns the spring break schedule, which varies slightly. Teitler pointed out this discrepancy, noting that spring break in 2026 is scheduled from March 28 to April 5, while in 2027, it will occur from March 21-28. This adjustment accommodates testing schedules and Easter, which falls on March 28, 2027.

As the academic year winds down, seniors will experience ‘April break’ on the fourth Friday of the month, leading up to graduation ceremonies. Bridges will hold its graduation on May 29, followed by Basalt, Roaring Fork, and Glenwood’s ceremonies on May 30.

The new calendars conclude with a distinctive touch, differing from previous years by extending the school year into June. The last day of classes for students is set for June 3, 2025, with teachers completing their duties the following day.