After receiving input from parents, students and other stakeholders, including the District Excellence Committee, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD trustees unanimously approved the 2024-25 instructional calendar Dec. 11.

The backstory

According to district documents, staff develops an instructional calendar each year for the next school year based on several guidelines, including:
  • State and local parameters
  • Input from stakeholders
  • Comparisons with neighboring school districts
District documents state that a survey with two draft calendars was sent twice via email to employees, parents and students, and included in the GCISD update and on social media to gather community voice from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6.

The difference between the two options was in the timing of professional development days. According to a district news release, both options included six days for professional development, but here’s how they differed:
  • Calendar A: Sept. 23, Nov. 4-5, Jan. 6-7, Feb. 17
  • Calendar B: Sept. 16, Oct. 15, Nov. 5, Jan. 6, Feb. 17, March 24
Results were 59% in favor of Option A, and 41% in favor of Option B, officials said.

A closer look


According to the Texas Education Agency, instructional calendars must provide 75,600 instructional minutes for students and include 187 instructional staff work days. The two options were fairly similar and shared the following components:
  • Includes two inclement weather days and 900-920 flexible minutes
  • Nov. 5 is a professional development day based on feedback related to safety concerns for elementary campuses that serve as polling sites on Election Day.
  • Winter break is two full weeks resulting in a later return in January.
  • One early release day for all schools at the end of each semester
  • Last day of school before Memorial Day
  • When compared to other local entities, both calendar options have a similar winter break and the same spring break on an approved or draft calendar in four neighboring districts.
Quote of note

“I want to thank the [District Excellence Committee] for maintaining the mid-week start, I think it’s critical for our youngest kids to not have to leap into the school year with a full week,” Place 2 trustee Becky St. John said. “[Also,] having those additional days in January helps teachers recharge and get ready for the next semester. It’s critical for them.”