The Loudoun County School Board is reviewing Option 5 as a potential phased transition to a year-round school calendar beginning with the 2028-29 school year. Under this plan the initial phase would feature an early August start date and a mid-June end date with two-week breaks scheduled in fall, winter, and spring. Only federal holidays would be observed during this period.
For the following 2029-30 school year the model would expand to a full year-round format similar to the 45-15 structure. That version would include a late July start and mid-June end along with three-week breaks in fall, winter, and spring while again limiting observances to federal holidays. The approach would distribute instructional time more evenly across the calendar.
This option has been presented in board materials as a way to maintain consistent learning opportunities while introducing changes incrementally. The phased structure would allow for evaluation of impacts before full adoption. Traditional elements of the current calendar would be retained during the first year of transition.
Calendar Structure Details
The 2028-29 phase would introduce shorter breaks to replace the traditional long summer recess. Families would adjust to an early August start that extends learning into mid-June. Federal holidays would continue to serve as the primary non-instructional days.
In 2029-30 the full model would increase break lengths to three weeks while shifting the start date to late July. This adjustment would further balance the distribution of school days throughout the year. Instructional time would focus on maintaining progress across all seasons.
Transition Planning Elements
The proposal emphasizes a gradual implementation to accommodate community needs in Loudoun County. Board discussions have centered on how the phased model could support both educational goals and operational requirements. Feedback from stakeholders would inform any refinements during the initial year.
Option 5 seeks to preserve core instructional hours while adapting the overall schedule. The structure would aim to minimize abrupt changes for students and staff. Continued monitoring would occur as the calendar moves toward the complete year-round format.
Loudoun County officials have outlined this option as part of broader calendar considerations. The details focus on specific start and end dates along with defined break periods. This factual presentation provides a basis for further review by the school board.
Email At:
April Chandler (Chair, Algonkian District) april.chandler@lcps.org,
Anne Donohue (Vice Chair, At-Large) anne.donohue@lcps.org,
Deana Griffiths (Ashburn District)Â deana.griffiths@lcps.org,
Ross Svenson (Broad Run District) ross.stevenson@lcps.org,
Kari LaBell (Catoctin District) kari.labell@lcps.org,
Jon Pepper (Dulles District)Â jonathon.pepper@lcps.org,
Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg District) lauren.shernoff@lcps.org,
Sumera Rashid (Little River District) sumera.rashid@lcps.org,
Amy Riccardi (Sterling District) amy.riccardi@lcps.org,
