Yellow school buses soon will resume their morning routes — from Palm Springs to Indio and communities along the Salton Sea — as the 2026-27 school year approaches.
Some 4-year-olds will enter a classroom for the first time through California's transitional kindergarten expansion. Others will tackle a new grade, a college course or a return to school years later. No matter where they are in their educational journey, students across the Coachella Valley will soon discover what their teachers have spent the summer planning.
So, when does school begin — and how soon can they look forward to some time off? Here are the dates to mark on the calendar.
When is the first day of school at Palm Springs Unified?
Palm Springs Unified School District begins the school year Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Students will also have
these dates off during the fall semester:
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7
- Professional Development Day: Monday, Oct. 12
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Break: Monday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 27
- Winter Break: Monday, Dec. 21 through Friday, Jan. 8, 2027
The fall semester ends Friday, Dec. 18.
Find PSUSD's 2026-27 academic calendar at psusd.us.
When is the first day of school at Coachella Valley Unified?
Coachella Valley Unified School District returns to school Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Students will also have these dates off during the fall semester:
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Break: Monday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 27
- Winter Break: Monday, Dec. 21 through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027
The fall semester ends Friday, Dec. 18.
Find CVUSD's 2026-27 academic calendar at cvusd.us.
When is the first day of school at Desert Sands Unified?
Like CVUSD, Desert Sands Unified School District returns to school Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Students will also have these dates off during the fall semester:
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7
- Professional Development Day: Friday, Oct. 16
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Break: Monday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 27
- Winter Break: Monday, Dec. 21 through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027
The fall semester ends Friday, Dec. 18.
Find DSUSD's 2026-27 academic calendar at dsusd.us.
When do fall classes begin at College of the Desert?
The fall semester at College of the Desert begins Monday, Aug. 31, though students may start on different days throughout the week depending on their schedules.
Students will also have these dates off during the fall semester:
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Break: Thursday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Nov. 27
The fall semester ends Friday, Dec. 18. Some students may find themselves back in class for the winter session, but the spring semester begins the week of Monday, Feb. 1, 2027.
Find COD's 2026-27 academic calendar at collegeofthedesert.edu.
When do fall classes begin at Cal State San Bernardino's Palm Desert Campus?
Fall classes at Cal State San Bernardino's Palm Desert Campus begin Monday, Aug. 24, though students enrolled in Saturday courses may start Aug. 22.
Students will also have these dates off during the fall semester:
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Break: Thursday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Nov. 27
Weekday classes for the fall term end Friday, Dec. 4, while Saturday classes end Dec. 5. Final exams begin the following week. Students enrolled in winter intersession courses may be back in class sooner, but the spring semester begins Friday, Jan. 15, 2027.
Find CSUSB's 2026-27 academic calendar at csusb.edu.
Jennifer Cortez covers education and breaking news in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: When is the first day of school for students in the Coachella Valley?
