Asked & Answered

Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director

I typically receive questions in the early spring regarding the start date of school and when spring break is scheduled for the next school year. Not as simple an answer as in past years since districts now have options in addition to a traditional school calendar.

Regarding the start date of school, ACA 6-10-106(a) states that each school year, the first day of the school year for student attendance in public elementary and secondary schools shall be: On or after the Monday of the week in which August 19 falls; not earlier than August 14; and not later than August 26. For the 2024-2025 school year, the earliest that schools on a traditional school calendar can start is Monday, August 19, unless they get a waiver from the State Board of Education or choose one of the other school calendar options allowed by law.

Regarding spring break for the 2024-2025 school year, ACA 6-10-106(d) states a public school district that provides a week-long holiday for spring break shall schedule the spring break holiday for five (5) consecutive school days beginning on the Monday of the 38th week of the school year. For the coming year, this week falls on March 23-29. Nothing in the law prevents a public school district from providing fewer than five (5) consecutive school days for the spring break holiday in order to comply with the student day requirement.

If you have questions for Mike, email him at m.mertens@theaaea.org .