Simone Lawson
The number of days in a school year varies across the United States, with each state defining instructional time differently. The majority of states (27 out of 38) mandate 180 instructional days, making it the closest thing to a national norm. However, seven states set minimums of less than 180 days, with Colorado requiring the fewest at 160 days. Four states require more, with Kansas mandating the most at 186 days for kindergarten through 11th grade. The length of the school day also varies, with states like Pennsylvania setting different minimum lengths for different grade levels. School start and end dates also differ across the country, with students in some states returning to school as early as late July, while others don't go back until after Labor Day in September. These variations are influenced by factors such as regional differences, climate considerations, and local educational policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of days of school in the US | 180 days on average |
| Variability in school days | Varies by state, with 38 states and D.C. mandating 180 days |
| Minimum number of days | 160 days in Colorado |
| Maximum number of days | 186 days in Kansas for kindergarten through 11th grade |
| Average requirement | 179 days among states with a minimum requirement |
| School year length | About 10 months with a long summer vacation |
| School start dates | Late July to after Labor Day, varying by region and state |
| Instructional time | Defined differently by each state, with some states allowing local districts to determine requirements |
| Four-day school week schedules | Average of 148 school days per year, 32 days fewer than the national average |
| Recess | Counted towards instructional time in some states, such as Arkansas, Colorado, and Texas |
| Year-round schooling | Offered as an option in the state policy of 25 states |
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What You'll Learn
The national average is 180 school days
The number of days in a school year varies across the United States, depending on the state and grade level. The national average is 180 school days, spread over roughly 10 months with a long summer vacation. This average has been the norm for a long time, with 38 states and the District of Columbia mandating 180 instructional days. This makes it the closest thing the country has to a national standard.
However, there are some states that require fewer than 180 days of instruction. Seven states set minimums less than 180 days, with Colorado requiring the fewest number of days at 160. Additionally, some states allow their local school districts to determine their instructional time requirements. These variations in the number of school days can be attributed to each state's unique needs and those of their student population.
On the other hand, four states require more than 180 days of instruction. Kansas, for example, mandates 186 days for kindergarten through 11th grade and 181 days for 12th grade. The length of the school day also varies across states, with some states requiring a certain number of hours or minutes per school day. For instance, Pennsylvania mandates a minimum length of 2.5 hours for kindergarten, 5 hours for first through eighth grades, and 5.5 hours for ninth through 12th grades.
The start and end dates of the school year can also differ across regions. School tends to start earlier in southern regions, with students in the East South Central division, including Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee, typically returning to school in early August. In contrast, students in the Middle Atlantic states of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania usually resume classes after Labor Day. Climate change may also influence the variation in school start dates in the future, as hotter temperatures may prompt some districts to adjust their schedules.
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Instructional time varies by state
In the US, the length of the school day varies by state. While 180 days of school is the most common length, seven states set minimums of fewer than 180 days, and four states require more than 180 days. The average requirement among states that set minimums is 179 days.
Each state defines instructional time differently, and states have varying requirements that reflect the needs of their state and their students. Some states also allow their local school districts to determine their own requirements for instructional time.
The most common way that states regulate instructional time is to set a minimum number of days for the school year. Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia do so, and of those, 27 states, along with the District of Columbia, mandate 180 instructional days.
States can also regulate school time by mandating a certain number of hours or minutes per school year. Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia require a certain number of hours or minutes per school day, and in 16 of those states, the requirements vary by grade level. For example, in Pennsylvania, the minimum length for a school day is 2.5 hours for kindergarten, 5 hours for first through eighth grades, and 5.5 hours for ninth through 12th grades.
In addition to the length of the school day, the start and end dates of the school year also vary across the US. School start dates can range from late July to after Labor Day, with students in the Middle Atlantic states of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania tending to start school after Labor Day. School start dates may vary even more in the future due to climate change, as some districts may need to adjust their start dates or times if they are unable to update air conditioning systems or make other accommodations in response to hotter temperatures.
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School start dates differ across the US
In the US, the length of the school year and the school day varies from state to state. While the majority of states mandate 180 instructional days, seven states set minimums of less than 180 days, and four states require more. The average requirement, among the states that have one, is 179 days.
The school year typically runs for about 180 days, spread over roughly 10 months, with a long summer vacation. However, there are substantial regional variations. School tends to start earlier in southern regions than in the north. For example, in 2023, more than two-thirds of students in the US Census Bureau's East South Central division (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee) started school the week of August 7. In the West South Central division (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas), 94% of students returned to school in August. In the six New England states, almost no one goes back to school before the week of August 28. In the Middle Atlantic states (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania), about three-quarters of students won't go back to school until after Labor Day.
Some states stand apart from the overall trends in their region. For instance, in the South Atlantic division, the start-date patterns in its southernmost states (Florida and Georgia) are similar to those in the East South Central region, while the division's northernmost jurisdictions (Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.) more closely resemble districts in regions further north. In the West North Central region, roughly two-thirds of public school students start classes between August and September.
In addition to regional variations, school start dates can also differ by state and school district. In 2025, most schools across the US will reopen between August 1 and September 5. However, these dates can vary significantly based on location, school district policies, and state education department guidelines. Districts in the southernmost states sometimes start classes earlier than those further north.
The variation in school start dates could become even more pronounced in the future due to climate change. Some education experts predict that hotter temperatures may force districts to adjust their start dates or times, especially in places like the Southwest, if schools can't update their air conditioning systems or make other accommodations.
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School days are shorter in some states
In the US, the length of the school day varies across states. While 180 instructional days is the closest thing the country has to a national norm, with 27 states and the District of Columbia mandating this minimum, there are some states that require more or fewer days. For example, Kansas mandates 186 days for kindergarten through 11th grade, and 181 days for 12th grade. On the other hand, Colorado has the lowest requirement at 160 days.
The length of the school day also varies by grade level, with some states setting separate requirements for different grade levels. For instance, Pennsylvania mandates a minimum length of 2.5 hours for kindergarten, 5 hours for first through eighth grades, and 5.5 hours for ninth through 12th grades. In addition to setting a minimum number of days, some states regulate school time by mandating a certain number of hours or minutes per school year. For example, Texas sets a minimum of 1,260 hours, including intermissions and recess, which districts can distribute as they choose.
The start and end dates of the school year also vary across the US, with "back to school" happening anytime from late July to after Labor Day, depending on the region. For example, in 2023, over two-thirds of students in the US Census Bureau's East South Central division (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee) started school the week of August 7. In contrast, students in the Middle Atlantic states (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) typically start school after Labor Day. These variations in the school calendar are influenced by factors such as regional norms, climate, and local policies.
The discussion around longer or shorter school days has sparked debates about the pros and cons of extending the school day. Advocates for longer school days argue that it would provide teachers with more time for instruction, potentially improving student achievement. Additionally, it could alleviate childcare burdens for working parents. However, opponents raise concerns about the potential impact on extracurricular activities and students' free time. Moreover, studies suggest that the correlation between longer instruction time and improved achievement is not exact and depends on other factors, such as classroom environment and quality of instruction.
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Recess counts towards instructional time in some states
In the US, the length of the school year and school day varies from state to state. While the majority of states mandate 180 instructional days, seven states set minimums of less than 180 days, and four states require more. The average requirement among the states that have one is 179 days.
States can regulate school time by mandating a certain number of hours or minutes per school year. Twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C., require a certain number of hours or minutes per school day, and in 16 of those states, the requirements vary by grade level. For example, in Pennsylvania, the minimum length for a school day is 2.5 hours for kindergarten, 5 hours for first through eighth grades, and 5.5 hours for ninth through 12th grades.
Some states have specific requirements for physical activity during the school day, which may or may not include recess. For example, Texas sets a minimum number of minutes in the school year, including intermissions and recess, while Colorado requires 600 minutes of physical activity per month that may include recess.
While recess is not specifically mandated in many states, some states do have laws in place that require a certain amount of recess time. For example, Virginia requires at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, and while the number of minutes of recess is up to the school, legislation allows schools to spend about 50 minutes of their instructional day in recess/downtime. Washington has passed a law requiring 30 minutes of daily recess starting with the 2024-25 school year.
Importantly, in some states, recess counts towards instructional time. For example, in Utah, recess is considered instructional time, reflecting the idea that play is a fundamental part of learning. Wisconsin also allows up to 30 minutes per day of recess to be counted as instructional time.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, there are 180 days of school in the US. However, the length of the school day varies by state.
The national average high school day length is 6 hours and 38.4 minutes long. However, Texas averages 7 hours, and Washington averages just over 6 hours.
The majority of states (29 or 38, depending on the source) mandate 180 instructional days. Seven states set minimums less than 180 days, with Colorado having the lowest requirement of 160 days. Four states require more than 180 days, with Kansas requiring the most at 186 days.
Almost all US schools end their school year sometime in May or June.
