School year planning

Nebraska School Calendar

Nebraska schools typically start in mid-August, typically the second or third week 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-August, typically the second or third week

When does school end?

late May

Winter break

roughly two weeks from just before Christmas through early January

Spring break

one week in mid-to-late March

About the Nebraska school year

Nebraska districts set their own calendars within state guidelines, with most beginning in mid-August — earlier than the national median. Omaha Public Schools, the state's largest district, uses a staggered start with kindergartners and incoming grade-level students starting a day before the rest. Lincoln Public Schools follows a similar mid-August schedule. The state requires a minimum of 1,032 instructional hours annually. Rural Nebraska districts sometimes run a modified calendar to accommodate harvest season.

Largest school districts in Nebraska

  • Omaha Public Schools
  • Lincoln Public Schools
  • Millard Public Schools
  • Bellevue Public Schools
  • Papillion-La Vista Community Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does school start in Nebraska?

Most Nebraska public schools begin in mid-August, typically the second or third week of the month. Omaha and Lincoln are among the earliest starters in the state.

When is spring break in Nebraska?

Spring break in Nebraska usually falls in mid-to-late March, lasting one week, though the exact dates vary by district.

When does the school year end in Nebraska?

Because of the mid-August start, most Nebraska schools wrap up in late May, often around or just before Memorial Day.

How long is winter break in Nebraska schools?

Winter break is typically about two weeks, spanning 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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