El Paso Schools Just Changed the Calendar — Here’s What Parents Need to Know!

Big news for families in El Paso: the El Paso Independent School District has officially released its updated academic calendar for 2025 — and it comes with major changes that parents and students need to prepare for. According to the district’s announcement, several key dates have shifted. The start of the fall semester has been moved up by one week, with classes now beginning in early August. This move is designed to create a longer winter break and allow for more teacher planning days throughout the year. In addition, new professional development days for educators have been added, resulting in more frequent three-day weekends for students. Some early dismissal days have also been removed to make way for full-day instruction, aiming to boost academic performance district-wide. Spring break remains unchanged, but the last day of school has been pushed forward into late May — which many families see as a positive adjustment. The district says these changes are based on parent and teacher feedback collected throughout the past year. Still, reactions are mixed. Some parents are welcoming the longer breaks and more consistent schedules, while others worry about conflicts with summer activities and child care arrangements. One thing is clear: the 2025 school year in El Paso is shaping up to be very different from what families are used to. And with the new calendar now official, it's time to start planning ahead.