School year planning
North Carolina School Calendar
North Carolina schools typically start in the last week of August (closest to August 26 per state law) and wrap up mid-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 last week of August (closest to August 26 per state law)
When does school end?
mid-June
Winter break
roughly the last two weeks of December into the first days of January
Spring break
one week in mid-to-late March or early April
About the North Carolina school year
North Carolina law restricts traditional public schools from starting earlier than the Monday closest to August 26 and requires the year to end no later than the Friday closest to June 11. This 'calendar law,' driven in part by the tourism industry, creates relatively uniform start and end windows statewide. Districts must meet 185 instructional days or 1,025 hours. Charter schools are exempt from the calendar restrictions and may start earlier. Wake County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg are the two largest districts and closely follow the state window.
Largest school districts in North Carolina
- Wake County Public School System
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Guilford County Schools
- Cumberland County Schools
- Forsyth County Schools
Count down to the first day of school
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Get the Free Countdown AppFrequently Asked Questions
When does school start in North Carolina?
State law requires traditional public schools to start no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26, so the first day of school falls in the last week of August for most districts. Charter schools may start earlier.
When is spring break in North Carolina?
Spring break in North Carolina public schools is typically one week, usually in mid-to-late March or early April. The exact dates vary by district and school year.
When does the school year end in North Carolina?
North Carolina public schools must end no later than the Friday closest to June 11, so the last day of school typically falls in early-to-mid June. Make-up days for weather closures can push the end date slightly later.
How long is winter break in North Carolina schools?
Winter break in North Carolina public schools generally runs for about two weeks, from around the last week of December through the first few days of January, with students returning just after New Year's.
Want to count down the days? Browse school countdowns or see school calendars for every state.
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