School year planning
Kansas School Calendar
Kansas schools typically start in mid-August and wrap up mid-to-late May.
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-August
When does school end?
mid-to-late May
Winter break
roughly December 22 through January 2, with students returning the first week of January
Spring break
one week in mid-March
About the Kansas school year
Kansas does not set a mandatory statewide start date, and its approximately 286 school districts operate independently. Most districts open in the second week of August, which is earlier than many neighboring states. Wichita Public Schools, the largest district, typically starts in mid-August. Kansas City USD 500 and Shawnee Mission are also among the largest and tend to follow similar August start windows. The state requires 186 school days or 1,116 hours of student instruction.
Largest school districts in Kansas
- Wichita Public Schools (USD 259)
- Kansas City USD 500
- Shawnee Mission School District (USD 512)
- Olathe Unified School District (USD 233)
- Blue Valley School District (USD 229)
Count down to the first day of school
Add an Outside countdown widget to your iPhone home screen and get reminders for the first day, last day, and every school break.
Get the Free Countdown AppFrequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Kansas?
Kansas public schools typically begin in mid-August, often in the second week of the month. Wichita and other large urban districts usually open around the same time, making Kansas's start dates among the earlier ones in the region.
When is spring break in Kansas?
Spring break in Kansas generally falls in mid-March and lasts one week. Wichita Public Schools typically schedules spring break in the third week of March, though exact dates vary by district.
When does the school year end in Kansas?
Most Kansas public schools finish in mid-to-late May. Because the school year starts in mid-August and Kansas requires 186 school days, the year typically wraps up around the third week of May.
How long is winter break in Kansas schools?
Winter break in Kansas typically runs about 10 to 12 days, from around December 22 through January 2, with students returning in the first week of January.
Want to count down the days? Browse school countdowns or see school calendars for every state.
Home Screen Widgets
Beautiful countdown widgets that sit right on your home screen.
Lock Screen Widgets
See your countdown without even unlocking your phone.
Live Activities
Real-time countdown updates on your Dynamic Island.