When do US students go back to school 2024: the most popular dates and plans (2024)

When do US students go back to school 2024: the most popular dates and plans (1)

Back to school 2023 season for the US is finally here and one of the biggest questions on the minds of both students and parents is 'when do we go back to school?' There's no one easy answer, either, with varying dates for each country, region, and even school district.

Depending on the area, some students may be returning in mid-August, while other areas wait until after Labor Day in early September. Only a few years ago when the Covid-19 pandemic started, it was unpredictable, with many schools deciding to postpone in-person learning until 2021. A few schools went back in August 2020 only to shut down again.

And just in time for this season are the Back to school sales that parents should take advantage of in order to get students outfitted with the best supplies at great prices. Here are the most popular back to school dates in Pennsylvania, California, and New York.

When do US students go back to school 2024: the most popular dates and plans (2)

Kid's backpacks: from $19.99 at Amazon
Amazon's back to school sale includes a huge selection of backpacks for all ages from brands like Adidas, Jansport, and The North Face, with prices starting at just $19.99.You'll find character backpacks for younger kids and laptop backpacks for college students with a range of patterns, colors, and fabrics.

HP ENVY 6065e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer: was $129.99 now $79.99 at Best Buy
A great option if you're looking for a budget printer, Best Buy has this HP Envy wireless printer on sale for just $79.99. The HP Envy can print, scan and copy, including automatic 2-sided printing, and includes three months of free ink when you activate HP Plus.

View Deal

Between August and September

According to statistics, one-third of students in the US return to school between August 12 and August 16 in 2023, which is a significant number. However, in a typical year, a majority of colleges, high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools won't return until after Labor Day, which is Monday, September 8, 2023.

In Pennsylvania, it depends on the school district, with some schools returning post-Labor Day while others are returning on August 29. In New York, the start date is on September 8 which is after Labor Day. And in California, many students will be starting school on or around August 14, with private schools having more flexibility in start dates than public schools.

There are a wide variety of dates for returning to classes even among three areas in the US, let alone in other parts of the US. This means that parents need to research the right one depending on where they live.

When do US students go back to school 2024: the most popular dates and plans (4)

In-person school days

Unlike in 2020, in 2023 schools have been returning to in-person classes, treating the back to school event as a pre-Covid one. This means that it'll be more difficult for students to remain six feet apart. If students want to be cautious concerning Covid, parents will have to take those measures on an individual basis.

Back in 2020 and even 2021, some schools split up the number of students who can enter the school building at any one time. Districts aid out a plan to have half of their normal amount of students go back to school in-person on alternating days based on their names (last names, so that families can go into classes at the same time).

Then there would be cleaning days in some districts, which allowed school officials to decontaminate classrooms over the course of a little over 24 hours.

When do US students go back to school 2024: the most popular dates and plans (5)

Final thoughts

Right now, schools have returned to a state of normalcy in regards to back to school dates. For school districts across the country, students have been returning to classes either in mid to late August or in early September, depending on their pre-Covid traditions.

While this means that parents are able to send their children to school without worrying about the difficulties of distance learning, if parents want to safeguard their children they must do so on an individual basis.

This also means that retailers have returned to a state of normalcy, offering many Back to school sales that make it easier for parents to buy supplies and tech that students need for schooling.

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When do US students go back to school 2024: the most popular dates and plans (6)

Allisa James

Computing Staff Writer

Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.

With contributions from

  • Matt Swider

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When do US students go back to school 2024: the most popular dates and plans (2024)

FAQs

What time of year do Americans go back to school? ›

'Back to school' means anytime from late July to after Labor Day, depending on where in the U.S. you live.

What month is back to school in USA? ›

For many, the month is filled with school supply shopping, schedule planning, and otherwise preparing for the academic year to come, so it's no surprise that August is also known as National Back to School Month.

What time do students go to school in America? ›

In America, the average school start times are notoriously early — the average school start time in the United States is 8:03 a.m. In 42 U.S. states, 75% to 100% of public schools start before 8:30 a.m., which is the CDC-recommended start time.

How long has school been around? ›

The first schools were created as far back as the Xia dynasty (2070 BC-1600 BC). Here the schools were divided between those that took the children of the nobility and those where children of ordinary citizens studied. State schools were exclusively for the children of the nobility.

What day do Americans go back to school after summer? ›

United States. In the United States, depending on the region, summer break is approximately two to three months, with students typically finishing the school year in late May or early June and starting the new year in mid-late August or early September.

Do Americans start school in August? ›

Because, depending on where in the U.S. you live, kids may go back to school as early as the first week of August, or as late as the second week of September.

Why do American schools start in August? ›

How did late August/early September become the default time of year for the start of school? Well, the answer might surprise you. The school year actually dates back to when the farming schedule took precedence over everything else—yes, even school. Farming can only be done in the spring, summer, and fall.

How long is summer break in America? ›

Winter Break – mid-December to late January. Spring Break – a week or two in March or April (usually starting on Good Friday) Summer Break – Early/mid-May to between late August and the day after Labor Day in September (usually lasting about 12–18 weeks).

What are American school term dates? ›

While it can vary, US schools use the semester system to define the school year most often. This is divided into a Fall semester from August until December, and a Spring semester from January to May or June. Most schools in the UK follow a trimester system, usually described as 3 “terms” per school year.

Why do Americans go to school so early? ›

Despite sporadic reform efforts on the part of educators, public health officials, legislators, and grassroots groups, however, most American middle and high schools still require students to begin instruction prior to 8:30 a.m. Failure of efforts to delay start times over the years has primarily been due to pushback ...

What is a normal school day for USA students? ›

The average school day in the US is between 6 and 7 hours per day, usually from around 8:00 am until somewhere around 2:00 pm. Most states require about 180 days of school per year, with different breakdowns of how those days are scheduled.

Which country has the shortest school day? ›

Finland has the shortest school days! In Finland, children get a 15-minute break every 45 minutes. This equates to an average of three hours and 45 minutes of educational instruction each day. In comparison to many of the countries of the world, school day and school year are relatively short.

When did US education start declining? ›

From 1967 to 1975, his governorship of California made an example of Reagan's position on education. His budget cuts in K–12 education ravaged poor urban schools, and his opposition to funding triggered immense increases in local taxes.

Was the US ever number 1 in education? ›

As recently as 20 years ago, the United States was ranked No. 1 in high school and college education. Much of the boom in American education during the second half of the 20th century was fueled by the Montgomery G.I.

What is the oldest public school in the United States? ›

The Boston Latin School, established in 1635, was the first school in what is now the United States. Although it has changed locations, the public school is still operating today. On April 23, 1635, the first public school in what would become the United States was established in Boston, Massachusetts.

How long is summer break in USA? ›

Summer break in the US typically starts from either late June to early September or late May to mid-August. So summer vacation is usually 8-9 weeks in the US.

Which states start school in August? ›

By mid-August, nearly all public school students in the region covering Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee were back. Not a single district, however, in the New England and Middle Atlantic states went back until late August.

How long is school winter break in USA? ›

United States:In the United States, the duration of winter breaks can vary by school district and state. Typically, winter breaks range from two to three weeks, often coinciding with the Christmas and New Year holidays.

What month is back to school in Canada? ›

Generally, the first day of school is in September on the first Tuesday following Labour day. If you're planning on travelling throughout Canada during a holiday, it can be great to know the national and provincial school holidays to avoid peak-season!

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