Cabarrus County Schools has adjusted the 2025-26 academic calendar for traditional schools to conclude one day earlier in an effort to avoid resource conflicts during CCS graduation ceremonies on the NASCAR race weekend in Concord. 

The last day of school for traditional school students has been moved one day earlier to Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The original last day of school was Thursday, May 21, 2026. Adjusting the calendar will allow traditional high school graduations to occur on Wednesday, May 20, Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22nd, and avoid the originally scheduled Saturday graduation date.

There is no change to the Early College calendar.

For a complete listing of 2025-26 CCS academic calendars, please visit the CCS district calendar webpage.

We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and understanding as we make this adjustment. 

Program Choice is the opportunity for families to choose an instructional style or theme that is a best fit for their student. Program Choice in Cabarrus County Schools allows parents to apply for a program of interest while still maintaining enrollment in our local public school system. School assignment is determined by the students' address.

Program Choice serves three purposes in Cabarrus County:

Each program is centered on a theme or adheres to a specific program of study. The application process is open to any student who lives within the Cabarrus County School District and meets the criteria for entrance.

Applications for the 26-27 school year will be open from Wednesday, October 15, 2025 to Sunday, December 14, 2025. Parent notification of placement will occur in the online family dashboard the week of February 2, 2026. Parents will have until Monday, February 16, 2026 to make a decision and accept a seat in their online dashboard. Any seats not accepted within this window will be forfeited to waitlisted students. 

 

Demand for CCS Program Choice currently exceeds seat availability. A randomized lottery is used to select students for placement. Notifications of placement are sent in February to the families of all applicants. Students who are not admitted at the end of the application period shall be placed on a waiting list in the order determined by the randomized lottery. Students shall be admitted from the waiting list as space becomes available, up to the first student school day in the order he/she appears on the waiting list.

For more information, please email programchoice@cabarrus.k12.nc.us.

The nomination process for the 2025-2026 School Counselor of the Year is open. This year, we are continuing to open up nominations to our administrators, school staff, students, and families! We know the impact that our school counselors make on the school community as a whole and want to give multiple stakeholders an opportunity to nominate them for this honor. 

 

Nominations will open for School Counselor of the Year today, Friday, October 17, 2025, and will remain open until November 2nd. Nominations can be made using the link below. All stakeholders will use the same link in order to make a nomination as the form will ask them to select their role and will then give them the appropriate questions. 

 

In order to be nominated, the school counselor must be employed as a full-time counselor, must have at least 3 years (2022-present) of professional experience as a school counselor, and must have at least one full year as a school counselor in CCS. 

 

We encourage you to take a moment to nominate a School Counselor for this honor.

 

Thank you! 

 

 

CWES ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY PROJECT: Cabarrus County Schools is reviewing and updating elementary attendance boundaries in preparation for the new Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary opening in Fall 2026. As part of this project, CCS will hold its second public community meeting on Nov. 12th at 6pm at R. Brown McAllister Elementary School for those who would like to attend. Learn more, see a focused area map of the realignment, and ask questions about the project at www.engagewithccs.com

OCTOBER IS BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH: This month’s Digital Teaching and Learning lessons in our schools focus on cyberbullying by helping students learn how to stay safe, respectful, and kind online. Families are encouraged to review the attached graphic novel provided by our Digital Literacy partner to continue the conversation at home. Together, we can create a positive digital community where every student feels supported.

RED-RIBBON WEEK IS OCT 23-31: Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide campaign held each October to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse. It encourages individuals, families, and communities to live healthy, drug-free lives through education, positive choices, and community involvement. Originating in 1985, the event has become a symbol of commitment to prevention and personal responsibility, reminding everyone to celebrate life and stay drug free. For more information, please visit https://www.redribbon.org/

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS: The 2025–26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open! Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward qualifying for federal, state, and college financial aid — including grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. We encourage all seniors and their families to apply as soon as possible to maximize eligibility. Visit studentaid.gov

to get started, and reach out to your school’s counseling office if you need assistance. Don’t wait — early completion can make a big difference in your student’s college journey!

PANORAMA SURVEY WINDOW: The Fall Panorama Survey will be administered between Oct. 6th and Oct. 24th. Please check with your child's school for exact dates.

Complete 2025-26 CCS Calendars:

During their October 13th business meeting, the Board of Education approved the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar and Early College calendars. The approved calendars may be viewed on our district website at the links below. Both the Traditional Academic Calendar and Early College calendars are also attached to this post as print-ready PDFs. 

 

 

🎓 Key Dates

🏖️ Breaks & Holidays (Traditional Calendar Students)

📚 Grading Periods & Early Dismissals (Traditional Calendar Students)

🎓 Graduation Dates

💡 Other Notes

To celebrate Dental Health & Hygiene, CHA Dental Clinic and Cabarrus Wellness Coalition are promoting soda free Saturdays throughout October, and we're inviting you to join us in skipping sugary drinks every Saturday. Sodas and sweetened beverages can lead to tooth decay and other conditions and may contain more than 15 teaspoons of sugar in a 20-ounce bottle. Let's work together to build strong teeth, healthy habits, and bright healthy smiles by supporting Soda-Free Saturdays.

Holiday traditions return to Downtown Concord in November! The City of Concord’s 28th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 21, and the 97th Concord Christmas Parade, is on Saturday, November 22.

 

Both events are free and filled with family-friendly fun and entertainment for all ages, plus fireworks on Friday night. Many of our CCS students will be participating in both events, so come out and support them and enjoy these time-honored traditions.

 

Learn more about Concord’s holiday festivities by visiting concordnc.gov/Christmas

It's not late if you're interested in Registering to Participate in the Concord Parade.

October is Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month. To inspire action, each of us can share how prevention is improving lives in our community.

Prevention Month lifts up the national conversation — to showcase prevention’s positive effects on communities across the country.

📅 Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

🕒Time: 6:00 pm

📍Location: Jay M. Robinson High School Media Center

🎯Who: High School Juniors & Seniors

✔ How to create a stand-out resume — even with no job experience

✔ Tips to talk about your strengths and skills with confidence

✔ Interview do’s & don’ts (spoiler: no gum chewing!)

✔ Real-life practice to help you shine when it counts

Because landing that first job, internship, or college opportunity starts with knowing how to present you. And we’re here to help you do that like a pro — no boring lectures, just real, useful skills and fun along the way!

 Free resume templates + mock interview practice + snacks

SAVE THE DATE! Cabarrus County Active Living & Park's Touch-a-Truck returns is Nov. 1st.

Date: November 1

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (low sensory period from 9-10:30)

Location: Cabarrus Arena & Events Center

Expect candy, games, giveaways, a Ninja Nation obstacle course and of course — plenty of trucks and other vehicles!

Admission is free, parking is $8.

Families for Depression Awareness is presenting their free webinar — Supporting Your Teen: Addressing Depression and Eating Disorders Together — on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET/ 4:00 to 5:30 PM PT. Join Families for Depression Awareness and the National Eating Disorders Association for a webinar exploring the complex relationship between depression and eating disorders in teens. Rocio Avila, LCSW-S will discuss how these conditions intersect, share practical strategies for supporting teens, and provide guidance on accessing appropriate treatment resources.

Register to join for a live webinar discussion or watch on demand after it airs.

Cabarrus County Schools will host several events this year for parents with themes geared towards being Career & College Ready: