January 22, 2025 -- Snyder Independent School District’s Board of Trustees has officially approved the 2025-2026 school calendar, marking the third year of the district’s innovative hybrid calendar model. This approach is designed to enhance family planning, staff recruitment and retention, and opportunities for high-quality professional development.

A survey conducted with district staff received a 30% response rate, with 60% of respondents selecting Option B, the version that was ultimately approved. Additionally, the District Education Improvement Committee (DEIC) provided valuable insights to ensure the calendar reflects the community’s needs and priorities.

Releasing the calendar in January represents a proactive shift in planning to better serve staff and students. By finalizing the calendar early, Snyder ISD aims to empower families and staff to plan ahead. Additionally, this timeline enables the district to arrange robust and differentiated teacher training, recruit for key positions, and develop impactful programs for students.

Key Features of the 2025-2026 Calendar

• New Teacher Orientation: July 31 & August 1, 2025

• All Staff Return Date: August 4, 2025, for professional development, planning, and classroom preparation

• First Day of School for Students: Monday, August 11, 2025

• Last Day of School for Students: Thursday, May 21, 2026

• Professional Development Days (No School for Students):

  • 1 full week of back-to-school professional development (August 4-8)

  • 7 additional differentiated PD days throughout the year: September 26, October 17, November 7, January 5, February 6, March 6, May 22

  • Three additional PD days have been added compared to years past to reduce the need to pull teachers from regular school days and minimize after-school trainings.

  • To support staff with school-aged children, the district is exploring options for school-aged students during staff development days.

• Student & Staff Holidays: September 1 & 19, October 10 & 24, December 12, January 19, February 13 & 16, March 13, April 3 & 6, May 1, 8, & 15

• Thanksgiving Break: November 24-28

• Christmas Break: December 22-January 2

• Spring Break: March 16-20 (coordinated with Western Texas College to align with dual-credit courses)

• Early Release Days: November 21, December 19, May 21 

School Hours

• Elementary: 7:50 AM – 3:40 PM

  • Snyder Primary and Snyder Intermediate are working on additional improvements to further alleviate traffic congestion

• Secondary: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Student and Staff Days

• Student Days: 162.5 instructional days (compared to 166 in 24-25, reduced to allow for PD days without substitutes)

• 10-Month Employees: 174.5 total days (compared to 174 in 24-25)

Benefits of the Hybrid Calendar Model

Snyder ISD’s hybrid calendar continues to support staff retention and recruitment while offering flexible, high-quality professional development opportunities. By optimizing schedules for students and staff, the district is committed to ensuring an excellent educational experience.

The full 2025-2026 Snyder ISD District Calendar is now available for families to review at https://5il.co/35p1w.