The Highland Park ISD board of trustees has approved a 2026-2027 Academic Calendar with a first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and a last day on Friday, May 28.
The district’s academic calendar committee developed and reviewed calendar options before sending two possibilities to staff and parents, deputy superintendent Shorr Heathcote told the board during its Dec. 16 meeting.
One calendar had a start date of Aug. 12 and included a parent-teacher conference day on Oct. 13. The other calendar had an Aug. 19 start date, but did not include a day for conferences.
Just over 62% of parents preferred the calendar with a first day on Aug. 19. But 56% of employees favored the calendar with an Aug. 12 start, primarily because it included a conference day.
The calendar committee created a third option which had both an Aug. 19 start date and a day for parent teacher conferences on Nov. 3. That recommendation was approved by the board.
Also during the meeting, the board of trustees:
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- Heard that the district received an A grade for “Superior Achievement” from Texas’ Financial Integrity Rating System. HPISD earned perfect scores in every category with the exception of current assets/current liabilities. Its score in this category was heavily impacted by its recapture payment.
- Heard a report on the requirement that HPISD professional staff earn either a master’s degree or National Board Certification within seven years of employment.
- Reviewed an update on the progress of projects funded by the district’s $137.3 million bond. The track and turf project at McCulloch Intermediate School/Highland Park Middle School is slated to be complete by the time students return from their holiday break. The district plans to start major renovations in the Highland Park High School cafeteria and dining room in February.
