Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Calendar 2027-2028: Two-Week Spring Recess and Every Day Off (Free PDF)
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified calendar 2027-2028 starts on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2027 and ends on Thursday, June 8, 2028. Families get three days off at Thanksgiving, winter recess Dec. 20-31, 2027, and a two-week spring recess, April 3-14, 2028.
SMMUSD's calendar has a few quirks worth knowing, from a Thanksgiving break that starts on Wednesday to different January return days for elementary and secondary students. We laid out every date from the board-approved calendar below, with the PDF ready to download.
Photo: Gzzz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Key Takeaways
First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 19, 2027
Last Day of School: Thursday, June 8, 2028
Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, Nov. 24 to Friday, Nov. 26, 2027
Winter Recess: Monday, Dec. 20 to Friday, Dec. 31, 2027; elementary returns Jan. 3 and secondary returns Jan. 4, 2028
Spring Recess: Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 14, 2028 (two weeks)
Status: Approved by the Board of Education on June 5, 2025; 180 school days
SMMUSD Calendar 2027-2028 at a Glance
Here are the student days off and key dates on Santa Monica-Malibu Unified's 2027-2028 calendar.
Fall 2027
Monday, Aug. 16 to Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2027: Pupil-free days (no students)
Thursday, Aug. 19, 2027: First day of school
Monday, Sept. 6, 2027: Labor Day (no school)
Monday, Oct. 11, 2027: Local holiday (no school)
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2027: Pupil-free day for elementary students only
Thursday, Nov. 11, 2027: Veterans Day (no school)
Wednesday, Nov. 24 to Friday, Nov. 26, 2027: Thanksgiving break
Monday, Dec. 20 to Friday, Dec. 31, 2027: Winter recess
Spring 2028
Monday, Jan. 3, 2028: Elementary students return; pupil-free day for secondary students
Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2028: Secondary students return
Monday, Jan. 17, 2028: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)
Monday, Feb. 21, 2028: Presidents' Day (no school)
Monday, March 27, 2028: Farmworkers Day observed (no school)
Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 14, 2028: Spring recess
Monday, May 29, 2028: Memorial Day (no school)
Thursday, June 8, 2028: Last day of school
Santa Monica-Malibu School Breaks and Long Weekends
Thanksgiving Break
SMMUSD students attend school on Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, then get Wednesday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Nov. 26, 2027 off. With the weekend, that is a five-day break.
Parent Tip: If your family wants the whole week off, our list of Thanksgiving break camps in Los Angeles can help with the Monday and Tuesday when siblings in other districts are already home.
Winter Recess
Winter recess runs Monday, Dec. 20 through Friday, Dec. 31, 2027. Elementary students head back on Monday, Jan. 3, 2028, while Jan. 3 is a pupil-free day for middle and high school students, who return on Tuesday, Jan. 4.
Two-Week Spring Recess
Spring recess is the longest break of the year after winter: Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 14, 2028. With weekends, that is 16 days off, from April 1 to April 16. A week earlier, Farmworkers Day on Monday, March 27 gives families a three-day weekend.
Plenty of fun is close to home, too. Browse our guides to things to do in Santa Monica with kids and things to do in Malibu with kids for break-time ideas.
Long Weekends
Labor Day weekend: Saturday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 6, 2027
October long weekend: Saturday, Oct. 9 to Monday, Oct. 11, 2027
MLK weekend: Saturday, Jan. 15 to Monday, Jan. 17, 2028
Presidents' Day weekend: Saturday, Feb. 19 to Monday, Feb. 21, 2028
Farmworkers Day weekend: Saturday, March 25 to Monday, March 27, 2028
Memorial Day weekend: Saturday, May 27 to Monday, May 29, 2028
Download the SMMUSD 2027-2028 Calendar (PDF)
Tap the file below to download Santa Monica-Malibu Unified's 2027-2028 district calendar. It shows every month on one page, along with minimum days for each school level.
For updates and other years, visit the SMMUSD district calendars page.
Good to Know Before You Plan
The SMMUSD Board of Education approved the 2027-2028 calendar on June 5, 2025. It includes 180 student days, and Lincoln's Birthday is observed on Friday, April 14, 2028, during spring recess.
Elementary (TK-5) families should note parent conference week in early November. Tuesday, Nov. 2 is a pupil-free day for elementary students, followed by minimum days Nov. 3-5.
Each school level has its own minimum-day schedule, which is listed on the PDF. Malibu schools follow the same district calendar as Santa Monica schools.
Parent Tip: Elementary and secondary siblings return from winter recess on different days. Plan Monday, Jan. 3 as a one-on-one day with your middle or high schooler.
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Takeaway
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified's 2027-2028 school year runs from Aug. 19, 2027 to June 8, 2028, with a short Thanksgiving break, two weeks of winter recess and a two-week spring recess, April 3-14. Download the PDF, note the elementary and secondary differences, and start dreaming up that long spring break.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does SMMUSD school start in 2027?
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified starts the 2027-2028 school year on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2027. Monday, Aug. 16 through Wednesday, Aug. 18 are pupil-free days for staff, so students begin late in the week. Plan back-to-school shopping and a few early bedtimes the week before so the first morning goes smoothly.
When is the last day of school for SMMUSD in 2028?
The last day of school for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified is Thursday, June 8, 2028. Summer break starts the next day, so it is a helpful date to use when you plan camps, travel and beach days. Check your school's own calendar for any minimum-day schedule that final week.
How long is SMMUSD spring break 2028?
SMMUSD spring recess lasts two weeks, from Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 14, 2028. With weekends, students have 16 days off in a row, from Saturday, April 1 through Sunday, April 16, 2028. Spring break camps and popular getaways book up early, so it pays to reserve by winter.
When is SMMUSD winter break 2027?
SMMUSD winter recess runs Monday, Dec. 20 through Friday, Dec. 31, 2027. Elementary students return on Monday, Jan. 3, 2028. Jan. 3 is a pupil-free day for secondary students, who return on Tuesday, Jan. 4. It is a great stretch for holiday lights, family visits and a few lazy pajama mornings.
Is SMMUSD closed the whole week of Thanksgiving 2027?
No. SMMUSD students attend school on Monday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2027. Thanksgiving break runs Wednesday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Nov. 26, which makes a five-day break with the weekend. We will keep this guide updated if the district changes any dates.
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