DUSD Calendar 2024-2025 & 2025-2026: A Comprehensive Overview
Downey Unified School District provides accessible school year calendars in PDF format for both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. These detailed calendars outline crucial dates for students, staff, and families, ensuring everyone stays informed about academic schedules and important events.
Downey Unified School District (DUSD) prioritizes clear communication regarding academic schedules, and the annual calendar serves as a cornerstone of this commitment. The 2024-2025 calendar, available as a downloadable PDF, is meticulously crafted to balance instructional days with essential breaks for students and staff. This document isn’t merely a listing of dates; it’s a roadmap for the entire school year, encompassing grading periods, holidays, staff development days, and minimum day schedules.
Understanding the calendar is vital for effective planning, whether you’re a parent coordinating family events, a student managing coursework, or a staff member preparing for professional development. DUSD strives to provide a predictable and well-structured academic environment, and the calendar is a key component of achieving this goal. The district’s dedication extends to a forward-thinking approach, with notable changes already planned for the 2025-2026 calendar, including a full week off in February, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to the needs of the community; Accessing these calendars is easy, through the district website and platforms like ClassDojo.

Availability of DUSD Calendars (PDF Format)
Downey Unified School District makes accessing the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year calendars incredibly convenient. Both calendars are readily available for download in easily accessible PDF format directly from the official DUSD website. This ensures compatibility across various devices and allows for easy printing and offline viewing. A direct link to the 2024-2025 School-Year Calendar and the 2025-2026 School-Year Calendar are prominently featured on the district’s resources page.
Furthermore, recognizing the importance of widespread access, DUSD integrates calendar information with popular communication platforms like ClassDojo. Alameda-specific dates are added to the ClassDojo calendar, providing a streamlined experience for parents and guardians. Regularly checking these platforms is encouraged, especially when confirming specific dates or times. DUSD emphasizes the importance of staying informed and provides multiple avenues to do so, ensuring all stakeholders have the information they need for a successful school year. The district encourages frequent calendar checks for accuracy.
2024-2025 School Year Calendar – Key Dates
The 2024-2025 school year in Downey Unified School District is structured around distinct grading periods. The first grading period for K-6 students spans from August 12th to November 7th, encompassing 64 instructional days. Following this, the second grading period runs from November 10th to February 27th, totaling 59 days. The final grading period for elementary students extends from March 2nd to May 29th, with 58 days of instruction.
For students in grades 7-12, the first grading period concludes on December 19th after 88 days. The subsequent grading period resumes on January 5th and continues until May 29th, providing 93 instructional days. July 2024 marks the 6th school month, with 19 days worked and taught. August 2024 represents the 1st school month. The calendar highlights important dates, including minimum days and potential student/teacher free days, with a total of 185 workdays and 180 instructional days planned throughout the year.
2025-2026 School Year Calendar – Notable Changes

The 2025-2026 school year calendar for Downey Unified School District introduces a significant adjustment to the academic schedule. A full week has been designated as Student Free Days from February 16th to February 20th, 2026. This dedicated break provides students with an extended respite during the school year.
This change isn’t a one-time occurrence; the week-long February break is scheduled to continue for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years as well, establishing a consistent pattern for future academic planning. DUSD emphasizes the importance of regularly checking the calendar, particularly through platforms like ClassDojo, for the most up-to-date information regarding dates and times. Alameda-specific dates are integrated into the ClassDojo calendar for enhanced accessibility.
These calendar updates reflect DUSD’s commitment to providing a well-structured and supportive learning environment for all students and staff.

Grading Periods: K-6 (2024-2025)
For students in Kindergarten through sixth grade within the Downey Unified School District during the 2024-2025 school year, the grading periods are structured around three distinct segments. The first grading period commences on August 12th and concludes on November 7th, encompassing a total of 64 instructional days. This initial segment sets the foundation for learning throughout the fall semester.
Following the first grading period, the second segment begins on November 10th and extends until February 27th, providing 59 instructional days for continued academic progress. The final grading period of the year starts on March 2nd and culminates on May 29th, offering another 58 instructional days to finalize student assessments and achievements.
These clearly defined grading periods allow for consistent evaluation and reporting of student performance, ensuring a comprehensive overview of their academic journey throughout the school year.
Grading Periods: 7-12 (2024-2025)
The Downey Unified School District structures the academic year for students in grades seven through twelve with a slightly different grading period configuration compared to K-6. The first grading period for secondary students begins on August 11th and extends to December 19th, encompassing a substantial 88 instructional days. This longer initial period allows for in-depth exploration of core subjects before the winter break.
Resuming after the holiday season, the second grading period commences on January 5th and continues until May 29th, providing a robust 93 instructional days for continued learning and preparation for final assessments. This extended period ensures ample time for covering curriculum and addressing individual student needs.
This two-period system for grades 7-12 provides a balanced approach to academic progression, allowing for comprehensive instruction and evaluation throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
Important Dates: July & August 2024

As the 2024-2025 school year approaches, July 2024 marks the initial phase of calendar-related activities within the Downey Unified School District. Specifically, July is designated as the 6th school month, with a total of 19 worked days and 19 days dedicated to instruction. This period is crucial for administrative preparations and staff onboarding, ensuring a smooth transition into the new academic year.
Moving into August, the first official school month begins, running from August 12th. This month encompasses 185 total worked days and 180 days of instruction for teachers. August is pivotal for student enrollment, classroom setup, and the commencement of academic programs.
Key dates within August include the start date for all DUSD schools, alongside specific start dates for certificated, classified, and DES minimum days. These dates are readily available on the official DUSD calendar in PDF format, facilitating planning for students and families.
Important Dates: January & February 2025
January 2025 signifies the 7th school month within the Downey Unified School District calendar, featuring student-free days and staff development opportunities. These days are strategically incorporated to provide educators with valuable professional growth experiences, ultimately enhancing the quality of instruction. The calendar, available in PDF format, clearly indicates these designated days for convenient reference.
February 2025 builds upon this momentum, with a significant change planned for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. Notably, the 2025-2026 calendar introduces a full week off – from February 16th to February 20th – dedicated to student-free days. This extended break will continue in subsequent years (2026-27 & 2027-28), offering students a valuable respite during the academic year.
Families can access the detailed DUSD calendar, in PDF format, to plan accordingly. This proactive approach ensures families are well-prepared for these scheduled breaks and can maximize the benefits of this extended time off.

Student & Staff Days: Minimum Days & Holidays
The Downey Unified School District (DUSD) calendar, conveniently available as a PDF download, clearly delineates minimum days for both students and certificated/classified staff. These shorter days are strategically scheduled throughout the year to accommodate various district-wide events and professional development opportunities.
The calendar also comprehensively lists all student holidays and vacations for the 2024-2025 school year. This includes both state and local holidays, providing families with ample notice to plan for time off and create memorable experiences. Specific start and end dates for students across all DUSD schools are also clearly indicated.
Furthermore, the PDF calendar details classified staff holidays, ensuring all employees are informed of their scheduled time off. The district aims for transparency and accessibility, making this vital information readily available to all stakeholders. Frequent calendar checks, especially via ClassDojo, are encouraged to stay updated on any potential changes or clarifications.
Student Holidays and Vacations (2024-2025)
The Downey Unified School District’s (DUSD) 2024-2025 calendar, accessible in PDF format, provides a detailed overview of all scheduled student holidays and vacations. These breaks are thoughtfully incorporated throughout the academic year to allow for rest, family time, and enrichment opportunities.
The calendar explicitly outlines both state-recognized holidays and locally designated days off, ensuring families can effectively plan for these periods. These include, but aren’t limited to, traditional holidays and potential extended breaks. The PDF format allows for easy printing and reference, keeping families informed.

DUSD prioritizes clear communication regarding these important dates. It’s recommended to regularly consult the calendar, particularly through platforms like ClassDojo, for the most up-to-date information. This proactive approach helps minimize disruptions and maximizes the benefits of these scheduled breaks for students and their families, fostering a balanced and supportive learning environment.

Staff Development Days & Student Free Days
The Downey Unified School District (DUSD) 2024-2025 calendar, available as a PDF download, clearly designates Staff Development Days and Student Free Days. These days are crucial for enhancing the quality of education provided to students and supporting the professional growth of DUSD educators.

Staff Development Days provide dedicated time for teachers and staff to participate in training, collaborate on curriculum development, and stay abreast of the latest educational best practices. Student Free Days often coincide with these, allowing educators focused time without classroom responsibilities.
The PDF calendar details specific dates for these events, ensuring transparency for both staff and families. These days are strategically scheduled to minimize disruption to the learning process while maximizing opportunities for professional improvement. Regular consultation of the calendar, especially via ClassDojo, is recommended to stay informed about these important dates and their impact on the academic schedule.
DUSD iPad Initiative & 21st-Century Education
Downey Unified School District (DUSD) is deeply committed to providing a 21st-century education, and a cornerstone of this commitment is the district’s comprehensive iPad Initiative. This initiative ensures every middle school student receives a DUSD-issued iPad to take home, fostering continuity of learning both on and off campus.
The availability of the 2024-2025 calendar in PDF format supports this initiative by allowing students and families to effectively plan for integrating digital learning tools into their schedules. Access to the iPad empowers students to engage with interactive learning resources, conduct research, and collaborate with peers, enhancing their educational experience.

DUSD believes this 1:1 technology program prepares students to be college and career-ready, globally competitive, and responsible digital citizens. The calendar, readily accessible online, complements this initiative by providing a clear overview of academic dates and events, facilitating a seamless blend of traditional and digital learning.
Split Year Calendar Information (2024/25)
Downey Unified School District offers a 2024/25 Split Year Calendar to accommodate specific student needs. Information regarding this alternative calendar is available alongside the standard 2024-2025 School Year Calendar, conveniently accessible in PDF format on the district website.
The Split Year Calendar provides a different academic schedule, potentially beneficial for students requiring a non-traditional learning timeline. Details, including start and end dates, breaks, and holidays specific to the Split Year program, are clearly outlined within the downloadable PDF document.
Alameda-specific dates related to the Split Year Calendar have been integrated into the ClassDojo calendar for easy reference. Parents and guardians considering this option are encouraged to review both the district PDF and the ClassDojo calendar to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the schedule. DUSD strives to provide flexible options to support diverse student learning requirements.
Accessing Calendars: ClassDojo & District Website
Downey Unified School District makes accessing the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 calendars incredibly convenient for all stakeholders. Both calendars are readily available in PDF format directly on the official DUSD district website. This centralized location ensures easy access to the most up-to-date information regarding school schedules and important dates.
Furthermore, DUSD leverages the popular communication platform, ClassDojo, to disseminate calendar information. Alameda-specific dates have been thoughtfully added to the ClassDojo calendar, providing a personalized view for families within that area. This integration allows for quick and efficient access to relevant dates directly through a platform many parents already utilize.
DUSD encourages frequent calendar checks, especially when uncertain about specific dates or times. Utilizing both the district website and ClassDojo ensures families remain well-informed and prepared for the academic year. Staying connected is key to a successful partnership between home and school!
Looking Ahead: February Break in 2026 & Beyond
The Downey Unified School District is proactively communicating a significant change to the 2025-2026 school year calendar, and this adjustment will continue in subsequent years. A full week off has been incorporated into the calendar for students, specifically from February 16th to February 20th, 2026, designated as Student Free Days.
This dedicated week-long break in February isn’t a one-time occurrence; DUSD has confirmed that this schedule will be maintained for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years as well. This long-term planning provides families with ample opportunity to plan ahead for vacations or other commitments.
The decision to implement this February break demonstrates DUSD’s commitment to providing both students and staff with valuable time for rest and rejuvenation. Families can access the detailed 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 calendars in PDF format on the district website to view all dates and plan accordingly.

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