Harford County Public Schools has a graduatl entry schedule for Pre-K and Kindergarten students this year. This process helps ease these young students into the new school year.

Pre-K gradual entry dates are either Tuesday, September 8 or Wednesday, September 9, with the first full day of school on Thursday, September 10.

Kindergarten gradual entry dates are either Tuesday, September 1 or Wednesday, September 2, with the first full day of school on Thursday, September 3.

Your child's elementary school will communicate the specific date. Please note that no transportation is provided on gradual entry dates.

For more information, click here.

Harford County Public Schools will be live streaming all 2026 graduation ceremonies held at APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College. Thanks to our partners at Harford Community College and the APGFCU Arena, families and friends can watch every moment live at youtube.com/@HCPSchools. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Nearly 4,000 Harford County Public Schools third grade students connected virtually with author and speaker Ty Allan Jackson this spring for an unforgettable experience centered around entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and dreaming big. Thanks to Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, every third grade student also received a copy of Make Your Own Money to keep the learning going at home.

Wednesday, May 6 is National School Nurse Day. Harford County Public Schools is proud to recognize our school nurses for their dedication, expertise, and compassionate care for our students each and every day. Thank you!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Harford County Public Schools is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students, staff, and families. Throughout May, we will be sharing resources and information to help our community thrive inside and outside the classroom.

The Harford County Board of Education has approved an adjustment to the 2026-2027 calendar involving built-in inclement weather days. Schools and offices will now be closed on March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027, and those days will be used as makeup days, in the order listed, only if needed due to inclement weather cancellations. 

The adjustment reflects guidance from the Maryland State Board of Education, which has expressed a preference for makeup days to be distributed throughout the school year, and the use of virtual instruction, rather than adding days to the end of the school year. 

The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español. 

Join Harford County Public Schools, the Office on Mental Health, UM Upper Chesapeake Health, and the Cook Center for Human Connection on May 8, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Ripken Stadium for Your Mind Matters. This free family wellness event will include activities for the entire family including crafts, a bounce house, rock climbing, football, and a light race.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Visit harfordmentalhealth.org for more information and to register.

Congratulations to Vibha Nanduri from Bel Air High School for being named the 2026-2027 Student Member of the Board!

Vibha was elected during the HCRASC General Assembly meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Her term will run from July 1, 2026 and run through June 30, 2027.

She is currently a junior in the Biomedical Sciences program at Bel Air High School. She serves as 1st Vice President of HCRASC and the Environmental Affairs Coordinator for the Maryland Association of Student Councils.

Congratulations Vibha!

Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Fund Elementary School Art Contest

Students in grades K-5 are invited to enter the Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Fund, Inc. Elementary School Art Contest. Students should create a colorful drawing inspired by the story of Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton, Harford County's only native Medal of Honor recipient.

Cash prizes are awarded for first place ($300), second place ($200), and third place ($100), plus 10 Honorable Mentions. All winners also receive a framed certificate.

Completed drawings must be submitted to your school's art teacher by April 17, 2026. For full contest guidelines and more information about Sergeant Hilton, visit sgtalfredbhiltonfoundation.com.

Reading Rocks at YBES!

March is National Reading Month, and we are so excited to celebrate with a month full of fun, literacy, and school spirit! Our 2026 theme is “Reading Rocks!”

Throughout the month, students will enjoy:

Reading Spirit Days, including:

• Dress like a Seuss Character (March 2)

• Comfy Cozy Day (March 6)

• Dress Like a Rock Star (March 12)

• Lucky Readers – Wear Green (March 17)

• Wear a Word Wednesday (March 18)

• Book Character Day (March 20)

• Tropical Day (March 27)

Schoolwide D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Days

• With a Friend

• With a Stuffed Animal

• In the Dark (bring a flashlight!)

• Outside (weather permitting — bring a towel or blanket!)

Reading Rocks Surprises!

• A “rocking” new book revealed in the Carson Reading Room

• Every classroom receives a new book for their library

• At-home Reading Challenge (logs due by April 10 for a prize!)

• Special author visit from Daryl Cobb on April 10

We can’t wait to see our students rock their reading both at school and at home. Be sure to check the Reading Month calendar so your child is ready for all the fun!

Let’s make this a month filled with excitement, imagination, and LOTS of great books!

#YBESOneTeamOneDream #ReadingRocks

Reminder: Celebration of Excellence in Education Nominations Due Soon! 

There’s still time to nominate an outstanding Harford County Public Schools employee for the 2026 Celebration of Excellence in Education! 

Each year, HCPS honors employees who make a difference in the lives of our students. In addition to naming the 2026 Teacher of the Year, we will recognize exceptional staff in the following categories: 

Assistant Principal, Custodian, Facilities, Food Services, Nurse, Psychologist, Pupil Personnel Worker, Safety and Security, School Counselor, Social Worker, Support Professional, and Office of Technology. 

To nominate someone, visit www.hcps.org and click the Celebration of Excellence in Education banner on the homepage. You can also click here for the nomination form. 

Nominations are due by January 6, 2026, so don’t delay—submit your nomination today! 

Thank you for helping us recognize the incredible HCPS employees who go above and beyond every day. 

Local businesses or community members interested in supporting this year’s program can contact joyce.jablecki@hcps.org for more information. 

The Board of Education of Harford County invites the HCPS community to one of the remaining Engage for Education listening sessions during the 2025-2026 school year. These sessions are your opportunity to ask questions and share feedback directly with Board members about the future of education in Harford County. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak. 

Upcoming Sessions (All 5:30-7:30 p.m.): 

• Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - Joppatowne High School 

• Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Fallston High School 

• Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - A.A. Roberty Building (student-only session) 

• Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Aberdeen High School 

Click here to visit the Engage for Education page on hcps.org for more information or to provide feedback online if you're unable to attend. 

Schools closed to students on Thursday, November 6, 2025, for Elementary School Parent/Teacher conferences.  

Schools will be closed to students and visitors on Friday, November 7, 2025, to allow ALL building staff to participate in professional development opportunities. 

Schools and offices OPEN on Monday, November 10, 2025. 

Schools and Offices CLOSED on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day. 

Click here to see calendar information for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Federal Impact Aid Forms Due November 7, 2025 

If you are active military personnel, a civilian, or a federal employee working and/or living on federal property, your student has received or will soon receive a Federal Impact Aid form. 

Please complete and return the Federal Impact Aid form to your child’s school by Friday, November 7, 2025. This funding directly supports Harford County Public Schools. 

If your student is not attending school in person, a blank form was emailed to all HCPS families, is available on the Resources for Parents page under “Forms and Documents” at www.hcps.org, and available by clicking here. 

Please contact your student’s school if you have any questions.