Parents and students across South Florida are asking the same question this morning: is there school on presidents day in palm beach county? With federal offices closed and many businesses observing the holiday, confusion often surrounds whether classrooms remain open. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the answer is clear based on the district’s published calendar and current operating status.
As of Monday, February 16, 2026, public schools in Palm Beach County are open and operating on a regular schedule.
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Presidents Day 2026: What’s Being Observed Today
Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. In 2026, that date falls on February 16. The holiday honors the legacy of U.S. presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Federal government offices close. Banks typically shut their doors. Mail delivery pauses. Financial markets do not operate.
However, school districts make their own calendar decisions. That means federal holiday status does not automatically determine whether students attend class.
Palm Beach County’s Official 2025–2026 Calendar
The School District of Palm Beach County released its approved academic calendar well before the start of the school year. The calendar outlines:
- Start and end dates
- Teacher workdays
- Major holidays
- Spring and winter breaks
- Professional development days
Presidents Day is not designated as a student holiday in the district’s official 2025–2026 calendar.
Today, Monday, February 16, 2026, is a regular instructional day across district-operated public schools unless an individual campus has announced a separate event or adjustment.
Students are expected to attend classes as scheduled.
Why Some Families Expected a Day Off
Many Americans associate Presidents Day with a three-day weekend. In several Florida counties and across much of the country, public schools close in recognition of the holiday.
That is not uniform statewide.
Florida school districts have authority to design their academic calendars as long as they meet state instructional time requirements. Each district balances holiday observances, teacher planning days, and statutory hour mandates differently.
In Palm Beach County’s case, district planners allocated time off for other holidays but did not include Presidents Day as a closure.
Comparing Nearby Districts
Some neighboring Florida counties have chosen to close schools today, giving students a long weekend. Others, including Palm Beach County, remain open.
This variation often surprises families who move between counties or assume statewide consistency.
There is no statewide rule requiring Florida public schools to close on Presidents Day. Decisions are made locally and approved by each district’s school board during calendar planning sessions.
What This Means for Students Today
For families in Palm Beach County public schools:
- School buses are running on normal routes
- Breakfast and lunch programs are operating
- After-school programs follow standard schedules
- Athletic practices and extracurricular activities proceed as planned unless otherwise announced
Attendance policies remain in effect.
If a student does not attend today without an approved excuse, it may be recorded as an unexcused absence.
Private and Charter Schools May Differ
While district-operated public schools are open, some private and independent schools in Palm Beach County may observe Presidents Day as a holiday.
Charter schools often follow the district calendar, but not always.
Families should verify directly with their child’s school if there is any uncertainty.
How the Calendar Is Structured
Palm Beach County’s academic calendar includes several significant breaks:
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Break
- Winter Break
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Spring Break
- Memorial Day
The district also schedules teacher workdays and professional development days throughout the year.
To meet state instructional hour requirements, districts must carefully distribute days off. Adding another student holiday can require extending the school year or adjusting other breaks.
Calendar planning typically happens months in advance and includes public input before final approval.
Attendance Requirements and State Guidelines
Florida law mandates a minimum number of instructional hours per academic year. School districts must meet those requirements to maintain compliance.
If unexpected closures occur due to weather emergencies or other disruptions, districts may need to designate makeup days later in the year.
Keeping Presidents Day as an instructional day provides additional flexibility in case of unforeseen closures.
This approach helps avoid extending the school year into June.
Transportation and Services Today
Because today is a standard school day:
Transportation services are operating normally.
School crossing guards are on duty.
Campus security and administrative offices are staffed.
Parents who work in federal offices or banks that are closed may need to adjust pickup and drop-off plans accordingly.
Some families use the day as an opportunity to volunteer or attend school activities since they are off work while students remain in class.
Community Impact
When schools remain open on a federal holiday, it creates ripple effects:
- Traffic patterns stay consistent during morning and afternoon commutes
- Childcare centers may experience standard demand
- After-school programs continue operating
Local businesses near campuses may see regular student foot traffic rather than holiday-level activity.
Addressing the Big Question Directly
For those still searching online and asking, is there school on presidents day in palm beach county, the district’s published calendar and current operations confirm that classrooms are open today.
Students should attend unless they have a valid absence excuse.
Families should rely on official district communications for any last-minute updates.
Why Calendar Transparency Matters
School calendars influence family travel, childcare arrangements, and work schedules. Clarity is essential.
Districts publish calendars well in advance specifically to avoid confusion around holidays like Presidents Day.
Still, because national messaging emphasizes the federal holiday, misunderstandings happen every year.
Checking the district calendar directly remains the most reliable way to verify school status.
Looking Ahead in the 2025–2026 School Year
With Presidents Day now clarified, families can look forward to the next major scheduled break: Spring Break.
The district calendar outlines specific dates for spring recess later this academic year. That week-long break provides a longer pause for students and staff.
Memorial Day, another federal holiday, is designated as a no-school day and falls near the end of the school year.
Students and parents should continue reviewing the calendar as the academic year progresses.
Tips for Parents Planning Around Federal Holidays
If your workplace observes federal holidays but your child’s school does not, consider these steps:
- Review the full academic calendar at the start of each school year
- Add all school holidays and teacher workdays to your personal calendar
- Confirm dates before booking travel
- Monitor district announcements for weather-related adjustments
Advance planning prevents last-minute disruptions.
What Happens If a Student Misses Today?
Attendance policies remain consistent.
Excused absences typically include illness, medical appointments, religious observances, or other approved reasons.
A family vacation planned under the assumption that schools were closed may not qualify as excused without prior approval.
Parents should consult their school’s attendance policy for specific guidelines.
The Broader Conversation About School Holidays
Presidents Day often sparks debate about which federal holidays schools should observe.
Some districts prioritize instructional continuity. Others emphasize alignment with federal closures to support families.
There is no single national standard.
Calendar design reflects local priorities, academic scheduling needs, and community input.
In Palm Beach County, the decision for the 2025–2026 year is clear: Presidents Day is a regular school day.
Final Takeaway
Despite widespread federal closures across the country, Palm Beach County public schools are open and operating today, February 16, 2026.
Students are in class.
Buses are running.
The academic calendar remains in effect as published.
Families should continue to monitor district communications for any updates throughout the remainder of the school year.
