School year planning
Texas School Calendar
Texas schools typically start in the fourth Monday of August (the earliest permitted start date under Texas state law) and wrap up late May to early 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 fourth Monday of August (the earliest permitted start date under Texas state law)
When does school end?
late May to early June
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 or third week; many large districts align with an informal statewide break period
About the Texas school year
Texas law (Education Code §25.0811) prohibits public schools from beginning instruction before the fourth Monday in August, which typically falls in the third or fourth week of August. A narrow exception allows certain Houston ISD campuses serving majority economically disadvantaged students to start as early as the first Monday in August. Spring break is not mandated statewide but many districts, especially in large metro areas, cluster around the same week in March creating an informal statewide break. Districts operate 180 instructional days.
Largest school districts in Texas
- Houston Independent School District
- Dallas Independent School District
- Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District
- Northside Independent School District
- Austin Independent School District
Count down to the first day of school
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Get the Free Countdown AppFrequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Texas?
Texas state law sets the earliest public school start date at the fourth Monday of August each year. Most districts begin on or very close to that date, typically falling in the third or fourth week of August.
When is spring break in Texas?
Spring break in Texas most commonly falls in the second or third week of March. While there is no single statewide break week, many large districts — especially in the same metro area — coordinate around a shared week.
When does the school year end in Texas?
Texas public schools typically finish in late May or early June after completing 180 instructional days. The exact last day varies by district and the number of weather or emergency school closures used.
How long is winter break in Texas schools?
Winter break in Texas generally lasts about two weeks, covering the last week of December and the first week of January, with students returning in early January.
Want to count down the days? Browse school countdowns or see school calendars for every state.
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