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US School Calendar2026–2027 Academic Year

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First Day of School 2026 by State

Compare school start dates for the 2026-2027 academic year and see why dates can differ widely by state and district.

View start datesSchool holidays guide

Typical start window

Late July – Early September 2026

Southern states often start earlier, while many northeastern districts begin after Labor Day. Local district calendars are the final source.

Popular first-day calendars

Arizona

First day: Jul 27, 2026

California

First day: Aug 12, 2026

Florida

First day: Aug 10, 2026

Georgia

First day: Aug 3, 2026

Illinois

First day: Aug 24, 2026

New York

First day: Sep 10, 2026

North Carolina

First day: Aug 25, 2026

Ohio

First day: Aug 20, 2026

First day of school 2026 by state

Dates are planning references for the 2026-2027 academic year and may vary by district.

StateFirst daySpring breakLast daySource
ArizonaJul 27, 2026Mar 15, 2027 – Mar 19, 2027May 21, 2027Official
CaliforniaAug 12, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 10, 2027Official
FloridaAug 10, 2026Mar 22, 2027 – Mar 26, 2027May 28, 2027Official
GeorgiaAug 3, 2026Apr 5, 2027 – Apr 9, 2027May 21, 2027Official
IllinoisAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 4, 2027Official
New YorkSep 10, 2026Apr 1, 2027 – Apr 9, 2027Jun 25, 2027Official
North CarolinaAug 25, 2026Apr 5, 2027 – Apr 9, 2027Jun 11, 2027Official
OhioAug 20, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
PennsylvaniaAug 24, 2026Mar 22, 2027 – Mar 26, 2027Jun 9, 2027Official
TexasAug 12, 2026Mar 15, 2027 – Mar 19, 2027May 27, 2027Official
AlabamaAug 10, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
ColoradoAug 17, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
ConnecticutAug 31, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
IndianaAug 10, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
IowaAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
KentuckyAug 12, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
LouisianaAug 10, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
MarylandAug 11, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
MichiganSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 11, 2027Official
MinnesotaSep 8, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 11, 2027Official
MissouriAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
New JerseySep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
OklahomaAug 19, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
OregonSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
South CarolinaAug 11, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
TennesseeAug 11, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
UtahAug 18, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
VirginiaAug 12, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 11, 2027Official
WashingtonSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
Washington DCAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
WisconsinSep 1, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 11, 2027Official
AlaskaAug 17, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
ArkansasAug 17, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
DelawareSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
HawaiiAug 3, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
IdahoAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
KansasAug 17, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
MaineSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
MississippiAug 3, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
MontanaSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
NebraskaAug 17, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
NevadaAug 10, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
New HampshireSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
New MexicoAug 10, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
North DakotaAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
Rhode IslandSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
South DakotaAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official
VermontSep 2, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027Jun 18, 2027Official
West VirginiaAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 28, 2027Official
WyomingAug 24, 2026Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027May 21, 2027Official

Earlier starts

Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and parts of Florida often include early August or late July starts.

After Labor Day

Some northeastern districts begin after Labor Day, especially where summer tourism or local tradition affects calendars.

District approval

Most school calendars require local board approval, so final dates can change before publication.

First day of school FAQ

When is the first day of school in 2026?

The first day of school for the 2026-2027 school year varies by state and district. Many southern and western districts start in late July or early August, while many northeastern districts start after Labor Day.

Why do school start dates vary so much?

States set instructional requirements, but local school districts usually approve their own calendars. Weather patterns, testing windows, holidays, and teacher planning days all affect the final start date.

Are state-level first day dates final?

State-level dates are useful planning references, but families should confirm final first-day dates with their local school district before making childcare or travel plans.