School year planning
New York School Calendar
New York schools typically start in the week after Labor Day (early-to-mid September) and wrap up late 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?
the week after Labor Day (early-to-mid September)
When does school end?
late June
Winter break
roughly the last week of December into the first days of January
Spring break
one week in April, often aligned with Easter or Passover
About the New York school year
New York State has over 700 independent school districts, each setting its own calendar within the state's 180-day mandate. New York City public schools are a distinctive case: the NYC Department of Education serves nearly one million students and follows a single citywide calendar that often starts in early-to-mid September and ends in late June. Upstate districts and suburban districts frequently start slightly earlier — sometimes the week before Labor Day — and end in mid-to-late June. Many districts in the New York City metro area observe Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as school closures.
Largest school districts in New York
- New York City Department of Education
- Buffalo City School District
- Rochester City School District
- Yonkers Public Schools
- Syracuse City School District
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Get the Free Countdown AppFrequently Asked Questions
When does school start in New York?
Most New York public schools start in early September, typically the week after Labor Day. New York City public schools often begin in the second week of September, while many upstate and suburban districts may start a few days earlier, around the very end of August or first day of September.
When is spring break in New York?
Spring break in New York public schools is typically one week in April, frequently timed around Easter and Passover. The exact week varies by district and by year.
When does the school year end in New York?
The school year in New York generally ends in late June. New York City schools typically finish in the last week of June, while many upstate and suburban districts wrap up in mid-to-late June, subject to any snow make-up days.
How long is winter break in New York schools?
Winter break in New York public schools is usually about two weeks, spanning roughly the last week of December through the first few days of January. Students typically return to school just after New Year's Day.
Want to count down the days? Browse school countdowns or see school calendars for every state.
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