BALTIMORE (August 19, 2026) — As schools begin opening their doors to students, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) enters the 2026-2027 school year focused on strengthening teaching and learning statewide.
Today, Frederick County Public Schools is the first of Maryland’s 24 local school systems to welcome students, with most other districts following over the next week. The final first day will be September 1 in Wicomico County Public Schools.
This school year marks the launch of Maryland’s statewide literacy and mathematics teacher coaching program. MSDE has hired 51 teacher coaches to work in 13 districts with literacy coaches assigned to 63 schools. A pilot mathematics teacher coaching program will be implemented in 14 schools across the Charles, Harford, Kent and St. Mary’s school systems.
“From the first day to the last day of school, we are committed to ensuring strong, evidence?based instruction for every student in Maryland schools,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “When we invest in educators, we invest in students. This investment in professional learning will benefit Maryland for years to come.”
“This year brings important opportunities to accelerate student achievement across Maryland,” said Dr. Joshua Michael, Maryland State Board of Education President. “We are strengthening instructional quality, improving access to effective teaching materials, and modernizing the way we measure student learning. Our focus remains on ensuring all students have the tools they need to thrive.”
The state will also transition to a new testing program this school year. Last school year marked the fifth and final full administration of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), which will be replaced by the newly designed Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR) for third through eighth grades next spring. MSTAR’s benefits include shorter test length, faster reporting of test results, and increased score accuracy.
Last school year’s MCAP results reflected a five-year high.
Additionally, the new “Maryland Shows Up” campaign will promote regular attendance among school districts, families, and community partners. The statewide chronic absenteeism rate fell to 25 percent in the 2024-25 school year, down 6 percentage points since the baseline 2021-22 school year. Preliminary data from the 2025-26 school year indicates additional declines.
“Even a small number of absences can disrupt a child’s learning,” said Dr. Wright. “It is important for families, community partners, health providers and local leaders to reinforce the message that showing up every day in school matters.”
2026-27 First Day of School in Maryland School Systems
Wednesday, August 19 — Frederick
Monday, August 24 — Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Charles, Dorchester, Howard, Queen Anne’s, Talbot
Tuesday, August 25 — Allegany, Calvert, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Washington
Wednesday, August 26 — Caroline, St. Mary’s
Monday, August 31 — Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Somerset, Worcester
Tuesday, September 1 — Wicomico
