Half-day dismissal times vary per division as follows:

Pre-Primary | 11 to 11:15 a.m.

Primary | 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Pre-Kindergarten | 11:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Kindergarten | 11:30 a.m.

Grades 1-2 | 11:45 a.m.

Grades 3-4 | 12 p.m.

Grades 5-12 | 12:15 p.m.

On school-wide half-day faculty professional development, Extended Day is available only to parents who register in advance. Drop-in is not available on those dates. Extended Day is not available on half days before a holiday break. 

2026-2027 Academic Calendar

August 17
Early School through Middle School | Welcome Day Meet & Greet sessions for parents, students, and teachers throughout the day. There are no classes for these divisions.

Upper School | Students in grades 9–12 will observe a half-day dismissal on Monday, August 17, and Orientation for new Upper School students will take place on Monday afternoon.

August 18 | Lower School through Upper School Regular School Hours; Early School—Half-Day Dismissal
K-8 Extended Day begins; Early School—No Extended Day

August 19 | Early School Extended Day Begins

August 24 | All Fall Auxiliary Programs Begin

September 7 | Labor Day—School closed

September 25 | Half Day for Students (Faculty/Staff Professional Development)
No Extended Day or Auxiliary Programs

October 9 | Half Day for Students
No Extended Day or Auxiliary Programs

October 12 & 13 | Fall Break—No Classes for Students

November 2 | Conference Day—No Classes for Students
No Extended Day or Auxiliary Programs

November 23—27 | Thanksgiving Break—School Closed

November 30 | Classes Resume

December 18 | Half Day for Students
No Extended Day or Auxiliary Programs

December 21—January 1 | Holiday Break—School Closed

January 4 | No classes for Students (Faculty/Staff Professional Development)

January 5 | Classes Resume
Extended Day Resumes

January 11 | All Spring Auxiliary Programs Begin

January 18 | MLK Jr. Day—School Closed

February 12 | Half Day for Students (Faculty/Staff Professional Development)
No Extended Day or Auxiliary Programs

February 15 & 16 | Winter Break

March 19 | Conference Day—No Classes for Students
No Extended Day or Auxiliary Programs

March 26 | Half Day for Students, Faculty, and Staff
No Extended Day or Auxiliary Programs

March 29-April 2 | Spring Break

April 5 | Classes Resume

April 16 | No Classes for Students (Faculty/Staff Professional Development)

May 21 | Baccalaureate (required for students Grades 9-12)

May 23 | Commencement** (required for students Grades 9-12)

May 27 | Last Day of School for Early School and Lower School
No Extended Day or Auxiliary Programs

May 28 | Last Day of School for Middle School and Upper School

*This is a general calendar reflecting schoolwide programs. Students who participate in special co-curricular programs or Ashley Hall athletics may have meetings/practices/contests during times that other students or faculty may not be required to be on campus.

**Due to the extremely late date of Memorial Day in 2027, May 31, Ashley Hall and Porter-Gaud together have decided to move both Commencements one week earlier than in prior years. Please note that Commencement will not occur on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in 2027.