Berrien County Schools parent guide

Berrien County 2026–2027: Digital Learning & Half Days

By GA School Calendar · Published

Berrien County Schools’ fall break is October 12–13, 2026, followed by digital learning on October 14. Families need a plan for schoolwork on Wednesday before the expected October 15 campus return. December 18 and May 21 also have half-day pickup changes. This guide explains how those arrangements fit into the 2026–2027 student year, which runs August 5–May 21.

Open the full Berrien County Schools 2026-2027 calendar →

October 14 is digital learning, not a third holiday

Fall break is October 12–13. Wednesday, October 14 is a separate Digital Learning Day, with schoolwork away from the regular classroom. The next scheduled day on campus is Thursday, October 15.

Plan for assignment access and supervision on the 14th if your child needs help at home. A travel plan that extends through Wednesday still needs to make room for the school’s learning instructions.

Source: Berrien County Schools 2026–2027 Approved School Calendar

Two shortened days to save for pickup

December 18 and May 21 are the scheduled half days. December 18 is the last student day before Christmas holidays. May 21 is both the last school day and graduation day.

The calendar gives no dismissal clock for either date. Use the school’s specific release notice when arranging pickup or meeting a bus. Graduation has its own arrangements; a shared date does not mean the ceremony begins at dismissal.

Published shortened student days, 2026–2027
DateStudent schedule
Friday, December 18, 2026Early release (half day)
Friday, May 21, 2027Last day of school / early release

Source: Berrien County Schools 2026–2027 Approved School Calendar

January 6 and the other return dates

Christmas holidays end January 1, but January 4–5 are student holidays for staff in-service. January 6 is the published student return. Keep that Wednesday in a separate reminder from the holiday ending.

The other returns in the table are the next scheduled school days after each break. February has a two-day winter break; spring break falls earlier than an April 5–9 holiday used by some other districts.

Break dates and the next scheduled student day
Break or closureDates without classesStudent return
Fall breakOctober 12–13, 2026October 14 digital learning; campus return October 15
ThanksgivingNovember 23–27, 2026November 30
Christmas holidaysDecember 21, 2026–January 1, 2027; January 4–5 also offJanuary 6
Winter breakFebruary 15–16, 2027February 17
Spring breakMarch 29–April 2, 2027April 5

Source: Berrien County Schools 2026–2027 Approved School Calendar

Spring break crosses the month boundary

March 29–April 2 is one continuous spring break, with an expected return Monday, April 5. Including the adjacent weekends, students have March 27–April 4 without scheduled classes. Do not add April 5–9 as a second holiday week.

Labor Day on September 7 and Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18 are separate student holidays. They need their own reminders outside the main breaks, particularly when a caregiver’s work calendar differs from the school calendar.

Source: Berrien County Schools 2026–2027 Approved School Calendar

May 21 has two different family arrangements

May 21 requires an earlier daytime pickup and, for graduating families, separate ceremony planning. The annual calendar supplies the graduation date without a start time or venue. Follow the high school’s notice for guests, arrival and senior attendance requirements.

The district Parent Information page also links a testing calendar and a family vacation planner. Use the school’s assigned assessment dates when scheduling absences. Our full Berrien calendar page provides the annual PDF and calendar downloads; the district page is linked here for the additional planning resources.

Source: Berrien County Schools Parent Information: School Calendars