Skip to the story | Text edition home | Full site

Reported by us | New Bedford

Snow days and the last day of school: how nine South Coast districts plan for winter

The last day on each calendar assumes no storms. Each district sets aside days in late June to make them up.

By the SC360 Schools Desk | Published Oct. 25, 2026 | Last verified Oct. 25, 2026, 9:10 p.m. ET

NEW BEDFORD Every snow day this winter will push the last day of school a day later in South Coast districts, because state rules require at least 180 school days. The June finish dates on this year's district calendars assume a winter with no closings, and most of these districts have set aside extra days at the end of June to absorb them.

The rule comes from the state's student learning time regulation. It says every school committee "shall schedule a school year which includes at least 185 school days" and "shall operate the schools within its district at least 180 school days in a school year." The five days in between are the cushion that snow days use up. The same regulation also sets minimum hours of structured learning time: 900 a year for elementary students and 990 for secondary students.

District by district

New Bedford's last day of school is Monday, June 21, if there are no snow days. The calendar holds June 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30 for snow cancellations or emergencies. The superintendent, in consultation with city and school departments, decides when to cancel, postpone or dismiss early, the district's calendar says, and the district aims to share those decisions as early as possible.

Fall River's instructional year is scheduled to end Monday, June 21. Each canceled day is added to the end of the year, and if five days are canceled, schools close Monday, June 28. Professional development days lost to weather are made up after the school year ends.

In Acushnet, Thursday, June 17, is the 180th day and an early release, and it will be the last day for students if no days are lost. The calendar lists Friday, June 25, as the 185th day, with five days added for weather or emergencies.

Wareham's 180th school day is Tuesday, June 15. Its calendar builds five snow days into the dates from June 16 to June 23 and sets the close of school for June 23, with a day taken off for each snow day not used. The official last day will be a half day. The calendar also warns that vacations may be canceled or shortened if multiple school days have to be made up.

At Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Wednesday, June 16, is the last day and currently the 180th, subject to change. The school has reserved June 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24 as snow days.

Dighton-Rehoboth lists Monday, June 21, as a tentative last day, with Tuesday, June 22, through Monday, June 28, set aside as make-up days if snow requires them.

Freetown-Lakeville's last day of school is Thursday, June 17, a half day for students, and the calendar marks Thursday, June 24, for additional snow days.

Swansea's calendar gives Thursday, June 17, as the anticipated last day for kindergarten through grade 11. Westport's School Committee approved a 180-day calendar on which the last day for kindergarten through grade 11 falls no earlier than June 17 and no later than Wednesday, June 30.

Graduation dates

Graduations come earlier. Durfee High School's graduation in Fall River is Friday, June 11. Swansea's high school graduation is Sunday, June 6, and Wareham's is Friday, June 4, with a rain date of June 5.

What families can do now

Families planning June trips or summer programs can count on the earliest dates above only if the winter is mild. Where a calendar lists make-up days or a latest date, that shows how far the year can stretch if snow uses up the days set aside. A school committee can change its calendar by vote, so the dates can still move before June.

Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.

Notes

Every fact comes from the state's student learning time regulation, 603 CMR 27.03 and 27.04, and from the 2026-27 calendars that New Bedford, Fall River, Acushnet, Wareham, Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, Dighton-Rehoboth, Freetown-Lakeville, Swansea and Westport post on their own websites. We read the calendars on Oct. 19 and again, with the regulation, on Oct. 25. We checked each date and weekday against a calendar. Districts can change their calendars by School Committee vote; this story reflects the versions posted when we read them.

Corrections

No corrections to this story. If something here is wrong, tell us. Every correction is dated on the story and listed in our public log.

Sources (11)

  1. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: 603 CMR 27.03, School Year RequirementsAt least 185 scheduled school days and at least 180 operated school days. Read Oct. 25, 2026.
  2. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: 603 CMR 27.04, Structured Learning Time RequirementsMinimum 900 hours for elementary students and 990 hours for secondary students. Read Oct. 25, 2026.
  3. New Bedford Public Schools: 2026-2027 District Student Calendar (file "rev 730")June 21 last day with no snow days; June 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30 for snow cancellations or emergencies; closing decisions by the superintendent. Read Oct. 19, 2026.
  4. Fall River Public Schools: 2026-2027 District Academic Calendar (approved 4/1/26)Year ends Monday, June 21; canceled days added; five canceled days means a Monday, June 28, close; graduation June 11. Read Oct. 19, 2026.
  5. Acushnet Public Schools: 2026-2027 calendarJune 17 early release and 180th day; June 25 the 185th day with five days added for weather or emergencies. Read Oct. 19, 2026.
  6. Wareham Public Schools: School Calendar 2026-2027 (approved Jan. 15, 2026)180th day June 15; five snow days included June 16 to 23; schools close June 23; half-day last day; vacations may be canceled or shortened; graduation June 4, rain date June 5. Read Oct. 19, 2026.
  7. Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School: 2026-2027 calendarJune 16 last day, currently the 180th day; reserved snow days June 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Read Oct. 19, 2026.
  8. Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District: 2026-2027 District Calendar (approved 8/11/26)June 21 last day, tentative; June 22 to 28 make-up days if necessary (snow). Read Oct. 19, 2026.
  9. Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District: 2026-2027 School Calendar (approved 2.4.26)June 17 last day of school, half day; June 24 additional days (snow). Read Oct. 19, 2026.
  10. Swansea Public Schools: School Year 2026-2027 calendarAnticipated last day for grades K-11 June 17; high school graduation June 6. Read Oct. 19, 2026.
  11. Westport Community Schools: 2026-2027 School Year Calendar (approved 4.8.26, revised 6.25.26)180-day calendar; last day for grades K-11 no earlier than June 17 and no later than June 30. Read Oct. 19, 2026.

This story on the full site