When Is Summer Break for Denver Schools in 2026?

If you’re a substitute teacher planning ahead for 2026, knowing when Denver-area schools let out for summer is critical. Summer break affects job availability, long-term assignments, summer camp work, and when schools begin ramping hiring back up for the fall.

Below is a district-by-district breakdown of summer break timing for the major Denver-area school districts based on their official 2025–2026 academic calendars.

Denver Public Schools (DPS) — Summer Break 2026

Last day of school: May 29, 2026

First day of next school year: Not clearly published yet

Denver Public Schools typically ends the school year in late May. While DPS has released calendar PDFs for the following school year, the exact first instructional day for students in fall 2026 is not always published in plain-text listings and may vary slightly by school type.

For substitute teachers, this means:

• A sharp drop-off in K–12 substitute jobs after late May

• Summer opportunities shifting toward camps, enrichment programs, and short-term roles

Cherry Creek School District — Summer Break 2026

Last day of school: May 20, 2026

First day of school: August 17, 2026

Cherry Creek is one of the earliest Denver-area districts to begin summer break and one of the earlier districts to return in August.

This creates:

• A longer summer window for counselors and seasonal education jobs

• Early August hiring activity for substitutes preparing for the new year

Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco) — Summer Break 2026

Last day of school: May 28, 2026

First day of school: August 19, 2026

Jeffco sits close to the regional average. For substitute teachers, this usually means:

• Strong demand through late May

• A short lull before August onboarding and orientation periods begin

Aurora Public Schools (APS) — Summer Break 2026

Last day of school: May 21, 2026

First day of school: Not confirmed yet

Aurora Public Schools ends the year earlier than many neighboring districts. Like DPS, APS publishes visual calendars where fall start dates are not always easy to extract in text form.

Practically speaking:

• Summer availability starts earlier

• July is often the best month for summer programs and non-district work

Adams 12 Five Star Schools — Summer Break 2026

Last day of school: May 21, 2026

First day of school: August 11, 2026

Adams 12 has one of the earliest fall return dates in the Denver metro area. This is important for substitute teachers who want:

• An earlier return to consistent school-year work

• Priority access to early August assignments

Douglas County School District (DCSD) — Summer Break 2026

Last day of school: May 29, 2026

First day of school: August 12, 2026

Douglas County aligns closely with Denver Public Schools on the spring end of the calendar but returns slightly earlier in August.

What This Means for Substitute Teachers in Denver

If you visualize the summer break window across districts:

• Most Denver-area districts end school between May 20–May 29, 2026

• Most districts return between August 11–August 19, 2026

For substitute teachers, that translates into three distinct phases:

1. Late May: Rapid slowdown of daily substitute jobs

2. June–July: Best window for summer camps, enrichment programs, and short-term education roles

3. Early August: Onboarding, orientations, and early postings for the 2026–27 school year

Planning Ahead Pays Off

Substitute teachers who plan around summer break dates tend to:

• Secure better summer roles

• Avoid income gaps

• Be first in line for fall assignments

If you’re working in or around Denver, using district calendars strategically can make your year far smoother — and more profitable.

Disclaimer: School calendar dates are based on the most recent official district calendars available at the time of writing for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 school years. Some districts publish calendars in visual PDF formats or update dates later in the year, and start or end dates may vary by school, grade level, or program. Always check up-to-date district calendars before making plans.