School Calendar Dates

The academic year typically has around 180 school teaching days for K-12 students. Colleges and universities tend to have shorter academic years. School holidays (also referred to as vacations, breaks, and recess) are the periods during which schools are closed.

Public schools for grades K-12 typically have the following vacations and holidays:

  • All federal and state holidays.
  • Thanksgiving Holiday 
  • Christmas/Holiday break
  • Winter break
  • Spring break 
  • Summer break
  • Religious holidays such as Good Friday, Jewish holidays, and Islamic holidays
  • Many public schools also have Teacher's Day Off/In-Service (Convention)/Professional Day 2 or 3 days per year, usually devoted to professional development.