School year planning

Missouri School Calendar

Missouri schools typically start in mid-to-late August, no earlier than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September and wrap up 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-to-late August, no earlier than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September

When does school end?

late May

Winter break

roughly two weeks from late December through early January

Spring break

one week in late March

About the Missouri school year

Missouri law (RSMo 171.031) prohibits districts from starting more than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September, placing most first days between August 14 and August 20. The state requires a minimum of 1,044 instructional hours per year. A short fall break of two to three days in mid-October is increasingly common across Missouri districts. Springfield, not Kansas City or St. Louis, is the state's largest district by enrollment.

Largest school districts in Missouri

  • Springfield Public Schools
  • Rockwood School District
  • North Kansas City School District
  • St. Louis Public Schools
  • Columbia Public Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does school start in Missouri?

Missouri law allows schools to start no more than 14 days before the first Monday in September, putting most first days in the second or third week of August.

When is spring break in Missouri?

Spring break typically falls in the last week of March, lasting one week, though some districts schedule it in early April.

When does the school year end in Missouri?

Most Missouri public schools conclude in late May, often just before or around Memorial Day weekend.

How long is winter break in Missouri schools?

Winter break is generally about two weeks, covering the period from just before Christmas through the first few days of January.

Want to count down the days? Browse school countdowns or see school calendars for every state.

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