School year planning
Illinois School Calendar
Illinois schools typically start in mid-to-late August and wrap up late May to early June.
Districts set their own calendars, so use the dates below as a guide and confirm with your local school system.
When does school start?
mid-to-late August
When does school end?
late May to early June
Winter break
roughly the last two weeks of December through the first week of January
Spring break
one week in late March or early April
About the Illinois school year
Illinois does not impose a mandatory statewide start date, so calendars vary considerably across its roughly 850 districts. Chicago Public Schools, the state's largest district, typically starts in mid-August and ends in early June. Suburban districts around Chicago often mirror a similar calendar. Downstate districts may start earlier or end slightly later. Most districts observe institute days (teacher professional development) that add non-student days around breaks.
Largest school districts in Illinois
- Chicago Public Schools
- Township High School District 211
- Indian Prairie School District 204
- Naperville Community Unit School District 203
- Rockford Public Schools District 205
Count down to the first day of school
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Get the Free Countdown AppFrequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Illinois?
Illinois public schools typically begin in mid-to-late August. Chicago Public Schools, the largest district, usually opens in the third or fourth week of August, and most suburban and downstate districts follow a similar window.
When is spring break in Illinois?
Spring break in Illinois generally falls in late March or early April and lasts about one week. The exact dates differ by district, with Chicago Public Schools often taking spring break the last week of March.
When does the school year end in Illinois?
Most Illinois public schools finish in late May to early June. Chicago Public Schools typically holds its last day in early June, while many suburban districts end in late May.
How long is winter break in Illinois schools?
Winter break in Illinois usually spans the final two weeks of December and the first few days of January, totaling roughly two weeks. Students typically return in the first week of January.
Want to count down the days? Browse school countdowns or see school calendars for every state.
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