School year planning
Virginia School Calendar
Virginia schools typically start in mid-to-late August, most commonly the third or fourth week; state law generally requires schools to open no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day and wrap up mid-June, typically the second 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?
mid-to-late August, most commonly the third or fourth week; state law generally requires schools to open no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day
When does school end?
mid-June, typically the second week
Winter break
roughly two weeks spanning the last week of December and the first week of January
Spring break
one week in late March to mid-April, often around Easter; the specific week varies significantly by division
About the Virginia school year
Virginia's 132 school divisions operate under a state law requiring that school begin no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day (with some exceptions granted by the Virginia Department of Education). This pushes most divisions to open in mid-to-late August. The school year typically runs through mid-June. Spring break week varies widely — Northern Virginia divisions near DC often take a different week than Hampton Roads or Southwest Virginia divisions. Fairfax County Public Schools is one of the ten largest districts in the United States.
Largest school districts in Virginia
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- Prince William County Public Schools
- Loudoun County Public Schools
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools
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Get the Free Countdown AppFrequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Virginia?
Virginia state law generally requires public schools to open no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day, which places most start dates in mid-to-late August. Individual school divisions choose their exact opening day within that window.
When is spring break in Virginia?
Spring break in Virginia typically falls somewhere in late March to mid-April, with many divisions scheduling it around Easter. Because each of the state's 132 divisions sets its own calendar, the exact week varies considerably across the state.
When does the school year end in Virginia?
Most Virginia public school divisions finish the year in mid-June, commonly during the second week of the month, after completing the state-required 180 instructional days.
How long is winter break in Virginia schools?
Winter break in Virginia is typically about two weeks, covering the last week of December through New Year's, 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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