US School Calendar 2026
🇺🇸 Complete Academic Year Schedule
The complete United States school calendar for 2026, including the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. This comprehensive guide covers spring and fall semesters, all school breaks, public holidays, and important dates. School calendars in the US are set by individual school districts, so dates vary by location — always verify with your local district.
Key Dates for 2026
Spring Semester Begins
After Winter Break
Spring Break 2026
1-week break (most common dates)
Last Day of School (2025-2026)
End of Spring Semester
Summer Break 2026
10-12 week break
First Day of School (2026-2027)
Start of Fall Semester
Thanksgiving Break 2026
3-day break
Winter Break 2026
2-3 week break
2026 Semester Schedule
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester (Term 1) | 85 days | Most schools start in mid-to-late August. Start date varies (typically Aug 10-30). | ||
| Spring Semester (Term 2) | 105 days | Spring semester starts after winter break. End date varies (typically late May to mid-June). |
2026 School Breaks & Holidays
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Break | 4 days | Long weekend around Labor Day (first Monday of September). | ||
| Fall Break | 5 days | Some districts have a fall break in October. Not all schools have this. | ||
| Thanksgiving Break | 3 days | Usually Wednesday-Friday around Thanksgiving (4th Thursday of November). | ||
| Winter Break | 16 days | Typically 2-3 weeks including Christmas and New Year. | ||
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Spring Break | 5 days | Usually 1 week in March or April. Dates vary widely by district. Some schedule around Easter. | ||
| Summer Break | 75 days | The longest school break, approximately 10-12 weeks. Most students return in mid-to-late August. |
2026 Federal Holidays (School Closures)
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Columbus Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Veterans Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Thanksgiving | 1 days | — | ||
| Christmas Day | 1 days | — | ||
| New Year's Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Presidents' Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Memorial Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Juneteenth | 1 days | — | ||
| Independence Day | 1 days | — |
2026 School Year Overview
Spring Semester (January – June 2026)
The Spring Semester, also known as the second semester of the 2025-2026 school year, typically begins in early January after Winter Break. Students return to school around January 5-7, 2026. The semester runs through early June, with a one-week Spring Break in March or April. Key holidays during this semester include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19), Presidents' Day (February 16), Memorial Day (May 25), and Juneteenth (June 19). The semester ends in early June when Summer Break begins.
Summer Break (June – August 2026)
Summer Break is the longest school break in the US, lasting approximately 10-12 weeks. Most students finish the school year between June 5-12, 2026, and return to school between August 17-30, 2026. During Summer Break, many families take vacations, and students may attend summer camps, summer school, or enrichment programs. Independence Day (July 4) falls during Summer Break.
Fall Semester (August – December 2026)
The Fall Semester marks the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year. Most US schools start in mid-to-late August 2026, with the first day typically falling between August 17 and August 30. The semester runs through December, with breaks for Labor Day (September 7), Columbus Day (October 12), Veterans Day (November 11), and Thanksgiving (November 26). The semester ends with Winter Break, which typically begins around December 21, 2026.
Regional Variations
US school calendars vary significantly by region. Here are the main regional patterns:
🌅 Southern States
States like Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama typically start school earlier (early August) and end earlier (late May). They often have shorter Fall breaks but may have a week-long Fall break in October.
🍂 Northeastern States
States like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania typically start later (early September) and end later (late June). They often have a February break (Presidents' Week) in addition to Spring Break.
🌴 Western States
States like California, Washington, and Oregon have varied calendars. California has both traditional and year-round schools. Many western states start in mid-to-late August.
🏞️ Midwest States
States like Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan typically start in mid-to-late August and end in early June. Many have a Fall break and a February break alongside Spring Break.
Official Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: U.S. Department of Education
Last updated: July 12, 2026
Note: IMPORTANT: The US does NOT have a national or state-level school calendar. There are over 13,000 individual school districts, each setting its own calendar. The dates below represent the most common/typical schedule for the 2026-2027 academic year. Major variations exist between states and even between neighboring districts. For example, NYC schools start in early September, while many Texas and Florida schools start in early-to-mid August. Always check with your local school district for exact dates. We are actively adding state-specific and district-specific pages for high-search areas like New York, California, Texas, Florida, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2025-2026 school year start in the US?
The 2025-2026 school year typically starts in August 2025. Most US school districts begin between August 10 and August 30, 2025. Some southern states like Georgia, Alabama, and Texas may start as early as the first week of August, while northeastern states often start in late August or early September.
When does the 2026-2027 school year start?
The 2026-2027 school year is expected to start in mid-to-late August 2026. Most US schools will begin between August 10 and August 30, 2026. Check with your local school district for the exact start date.
What is the US school calendar for 2026?
The US school calendar for 2026 includes two main semesters. The Spring Semester runs from January to June 2026, with Spring Break typically in March. The Fall Semester runs from August to December 2026, with breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas/Winter. Summer break runs from June to August.
How many days are in a US school year?
Most US school districts require between 170 and 180 instructional days per school year. This typically translates to about 36 weeks of school, spread across two semesters with breaks for holidays and summer.
When is Spring Break 2026 in the US?
Spring Break 2026 varies by school district. Most US schools schedule Spring Break for one week in March or April 2026. The most common dates are March 16-20, 2026, but some districts schedule it around Easter (early April 2026). College spring breaks may differ from K-12 schedules.
When is Summer Break 2026 in the US?
Summer Break 2026 in the US typically runs from early June to mid-to-late August 2026. Most students finish the school year between June 5 and June 12, 2026, and return to school between August 17 and August 30, 2026. Summer break is approximately 10-12 weeks long.
How does the US school calendar differ from other countries?
The US school calendar is unique in its long summer break (10-12 weeks), which is longer than most other countries. The UK has a 6-week summer break, Australia has a 5-6 week summer break in December-January, and Singapore has a 6-week year-end break. The US also has a distinct Thanksgiving break in November that other countries do not observe.
What holidays are observed in US schools?
US schools typically observe the following federal holidays: Labor Day (September), Columbus Day (October), Veterans Day (November), Thanksgiving (November), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January), Presidents' Day (February), Memorial Day (May), and Juneteenth (June). Schools are also closed for Christmas and New Year's Day.
Do all US states have the same school calendar?
No. School calendars in the US are set by individual school districts, not by the federal government. This means dates can vary significantly even within the same state. Generally, southern states start earlier in August and end earlier in May, while northern states start later in September and end in June.
What is a year-round school calendar?
Some US schools use a year-round calendar, where students attend school for 9 weeks followed by a 3-week break, rather than a long summer break. This schedule is used by approximately 3,000 schools in the US, primarily in states like California, Texas, and North Carolina.
How many school holidays are there in 2026?
Most school systems have 4-6 major holiday periods throughout the year, typically including a long summer break, a winter/Christmas break, and shorter mid-term breaks in spring and autumn. The exact number depends on your country and region.
What is the longest school holiday?
The summer holiday is typically the longest school break worldwide. In Australia, it lasts about 5-6 weeks (December-January). In the UK, the summer break is approximately 6 weeks (July-August). In the US, summer break is the longest at 10-12 weeks (June-August). In Singapore, the year-end holidays last about 6 weeks.
Are school holidays the same across all states or regions?
No. School holiday dates vary by state, region, and sometimes even by individual school district or local council. While neighbouring areas often have similar schedules, you should always check the specific dates for your local area.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Rules vary by country. In the UK, taking children out of school during term time without authorization can result in fines. In Australia, it is generally discouraged but policies vary by state. In the US, policies are set by individual school districts. Always check with your school before planning term-time absences.