School year planning
Tennessee School Calendar
Tennessee schools typically start in late July to early August, with many districts beginning in the first two weeks of August and wrap up late May, typically the third or fourth week.
Districts set their own calendars, so use the dates below as a guide and confirm with your local school system.
When does school start?
late July to early August, with many districts beginning in the first two weeks of August
When does school end?
late May, typically the third or fourth week
Winter break
roughly two weeks spanning the last week of December and the first week of January
Spring break
one week in mid-March, commonly the second week
About the Tennessee school year
Tennessee's 147 county and municipal school districts set their own calendars within state guidelines requiring 180 instructional days. Many districts begin earlier than much of the South, often in late July or early August. Spring break is nearly universally one week in March, though the specific week varies by district. Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Nashville's Metro Nashville Public Schools are the two dominant urban systems and their calendars set a de facto regional norm.
Largest school districts in Tennessee
- Memphis-Shelby County Schools
- Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
- Knox County Schools
- Hamilton County Schools
- Rutherford 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee public schools generally start in late July or early August. Many districts open during the first two weeks of August, though some begin in the last week of July.
When is spring break in Tennessee?
Spring break in Tennessee typically falls in mid-March, most often the second week of the month, though the exact week differs by county or municipal district.
When does the school year end in Tennessee?
Most Tennessee public schools wrap up in late May, commonly around the third or fourth week, after completing the state-required 180 instructional days.
How long is winter break in Tennessee schools?
Winter break is typically about two weeks, covering the last week of December through the first week of January, with classes resuming in early January.
Want to count down the days? Browse school countdowns or see school calendars for every state.
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