How Many School Days in the U.S (Every State)?

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2024-25 School Year Calendar in the United States - School Days Per Year

The jurisdiction of the federal government in the United States regarding education is quite limited. Due to the presence of individualized educational leadership systems in each state, the majority of decisions regarding education are made at the state level. Consequently, the place where a child lives has an impact on their school attendance. Here is the information you need to know.

Top 5 States With The Longest School Days:

Number of Days in School Year in the United States

An academic year, also known as a school year, refers to the duration of time that schools use to measure the amount of time students dedicate to studying. The term "number of instructional days" typically denotes the overall duration during which students are required to be present in the classroom for learning purposes in a school year.

In the United States, schools typically have a one-week spring break in either March or April, as well as winter breaks for the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays. The summer break, which spans approximately 12 weeks, commences at various times between late May or late June and extends until late August or after Labor Day in September. Interruptions in the academic calendar can lead to several consequences for a region, such as increased expenses for transportation and accommodation, as well as fluctuations in crime rates.

In the United States, the duration of school years typically ranges from 160 to 180 days, varying by state. Weekends, vacations, and holidays such as Thanksgiving are excluded from this.

Nevertheless, similar to other aspects of public education, there is considerable variation from state to state in the level of education provided to children, as well as the duration of daily classroom instruction.

Each state sets forth regulations regarding the minimum amount of time that classes must be in session. Usually, the minimum requirement includes a specific number of days and hours per year, as well as hours per day. State regulations also stipulate whether non-instructional time, such as lunch, recess, and class changes, can be counted towards these minimum requirements. Unless granted an exemption, individual districts have the authority to establish their own calendars in compliance with statewide regulations.

The majority of states, specifically 38 states along with the District of Columbia, enforce minimum school year lengths as a primary method of regulating instructional time. The requirement of 180 instructional days is mandated in 27 out of the 38 states, as well as in the District of Columbia. This makes it the closest approximation to a national standard in the country.

States with regular winter snowfall often have days when schools may be closed due to inclement weather. Furthermore, certain districts provide the opportunity for teachers to have a day off known as Teacher's Day Off. This can be scheduled two or three times throughout the academic year. Additionally, there are school in-service days that allow teachers to engage in professional development activities.

Learn more: 2024/2025 US School Holidays: Full List of Dates, Federal and State Calendar

How Many School Days in the U.S

Requirements on School Attendance Vary from State to State

• Differences in Years Spent in School

In the United States, children must attend school for nine to thirteen years, depending on the state in which they reside.1. Students must attend school until they are eighteen (18) in all states but Alabama (17). States, however, differ greatly in what their laws allow for the beginning and ending ages of free public education. Massachusetts is the only state that provides free education to children as early as age 3. Texas is the only state that offers free public education to students up until the age of 26.

• Differences in Days Spent in School

The number of days a student has to go to school each year varies by state, just like the number of years they have to go. In terms of minimum number of days a year, Colorado only needs 160 days, while North Carolina needs 185 days.2 Some states, on the other hand, don't say how many school days are required; instead, they tell school districts how many hours their students must spend in school each year.

• Differences in Hours Spent in School

One more part of education is the number of hours each day that students spend in school. This is another case where each state has its own rules. Students in public schools in the U.S. spend an average of 6 hours a day there. Students in higher grades usually need more time each day than students in lower grades.3. But not every state sets a minimum number of hours that students must be in school every day. Of the states that do, some set total hours that include breaks like lunch, while others only set instructional hours. Because of these different rules, the length of a school day varies a lot from state to state and even from district to district. This makes it hard to directly compare states.

How Many Days Is a School Year in the U.S?

There are a lot of different average school days in the United States. In 29 states, for example, there are 180 school days.

How many hours in a school day – or a school year?

States have the authority to determine not only the duration of a school year in terms of days, but also the specific number of hours or minutes. According to the Education Commission of the States, these regulations or statutes are present in 39 states. Some states allow school districts to fulfill the minimum requirements by either meeting a certain number of days or a certain number of hours per year. Oklahoma grants school districts the authority to establish 180 standard school days, totaling 1,080 hours, distributed across a span of 165 days.

Twenty-six out of thirty-nine states have yearly minimum requirements for each grade level. Fourth-grade students in South Dakota are required to attend school for a total of 875 hours per year, while eighth-grade students are required to attend for 962.5 hours per year.

Consequently, fourth-grade students in all states, where there are minimum annual time requirements, typically spend approximately 997.8 hours per academic year in school. Arizona requires 720 hours, including lunch, for 11th graders, whereas Texas requires 1,260 minutes. Among the 39 states that mandate 11th graders to engage in this activity, the average amount of time spent on it is 1,034.8 hours per year.

Additionally, 29 states and the District of Columbia have regulations specifying the duration of a school day in terms of hours or minutes. The requirements for each grade level differ in 16 states. Kindergarten students attend school for 2.5 hours per day, while students in first through eighth grade have a daily school duration of 5 hours. Students in ninth through twelfth grade, on the other hand, spend 5.5 hours in school each day.

Eighth graders in Maryland and Missouri are allowed to have a school day that lasts for three hours. Tennessee allows for a school day duration of 6.5 hours. It is intriguing that eighth graders in New Hampshire and Oregon have a limited school day of six and eight hours, respectively. Varying regulations exist across states regarding the methodology for calculating lunch, recess, and other periods of non-classroom time.

Within the state of Texas, school districts have the autonomy to determine the allocation of the mandated minimum of 75,600 minutes (equivalent to 1,260 hours) for the duration of the academic year. This encompasses intervals for rest and meals. Previously, Texas mandated a minimum of 7 hours of schooling, encompassing both instructional time and intervals dedicated to activities other than learning.

What State Has the Most Days of School?

The National Center for Education Statistics says that Illinois and North Carolina have the most required school days, with 185.

What State Has the Fewest Required School Days?

Colorado has only 160 required school days each year, which is the fewest in the United States. Only a few states don't have a minimum number of school days each year. Arkansas, Idaho, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are the only states that don't have a minimum number of school days.

What States Have Four-Day School Weeks?

Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Oregon are states that have implemented four-day school weeks. Approximately 40% of school districts in New Mexico and Oregon, as well as 60% of school districts in Colorado, have transitioned to a four-day school week. Typically, these schedules eliminate classes on Fridays and extend the duration of each school day by approximately one hour during the days when classes are held. A four-day school week consists of approximately 148 school days per year, which is 32 days fewer than the national average of 180 school days.

Does Recess Count as Instructional Time?

Variations exist across different states. We examined the regulations of each state regarding recess and instructional time in order to identify those that permit its implementation. The states listed are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Varying states have varying regulations regarding the extent to which recess contributes to the mandatory instructional duration, but it serves as a commendable initial step.

Does Recess Take Away From Learning Time?

A lot of experts think that recess can really help a student's behavior, academic performance, life skills, and more. To learn more, look at our infographic about the good things about recess. We also looked very closely at how recess is handled in schools all over the United States.

Minimum Number of Days in a School Year by State

Each state has a predetermined number of days and/or hours required for each school year. Below is a list provided by the Education Commission of the States, detailing the minimum number of days and hours required in each state. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, states that provide information on both hours per year and days per year must include data for both.

Certain states do not stipulate a minimum duration of attendance; instead, they simply outline the required number of hours that must be fulfilled. The list may not contain any exemptions to the compulsory instruction times.

Alabama

• 180 days
• 1,080 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per year or minimum days per year.

Alaska

• 180 days
• Grade K-3: 740 hours
• Grade 4-12: 900 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either minimum required hours per year or minimum days per year

Arizona

• 180 days
• Half-day Kindergarten: 356 hours
• Grades 1-3: 712 hours
• Grades 4-6: 890 hours
• Grades 7-8: 1000 hours
• Grades 9-12: 720 hours
• Hours exclude lunch and recess for grades K-8.
• Students in grades 9-12 must enroll in at least 4 subjects.

Arkansas

• 178 days
• Includes a minimum of 10 days (60 hours) professional development/in-service and a minimum of 2 days for parent/teacher conferences.

California

• 180 days
• Kindergarten: 600 hours
• Grades 1-3: 840 hours
• Grades 4-8: 900 hours
• Grades 9-12: 1,080 hours
• Charter schools and select districts have 175 required days.
• State specifics instructional time in minutes

Colorado

• 160 days
• Half-day Kindergarten: 435 hours
• Grades 1-3: 870 hours
• Grades 4-8: 968 hours
• Grades 9-12: 1,056
• Excludes parent-teacher conferences and staff in-service programs.

Connecticut

• 180 days
• Half-day Kindergarten: 450 hours
• Full-day K-12: 900 hours

Delaware

• Grades K-11: 1,060 hours
• Grade 12: 1,032 hours

District of Columbia

• 180 days

Florida

• 180 days
• Grades K-3: 720 hours
• Grades 4-12: 900 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per year or minimum days per year.

Georgia

• 180 days or equivalent

Hawaii

• 180 days
• 1,080 hours
• Does not apply to charter or multi-track schools.
• Days exclude professional development and other non-instructional days.

Idaho

• District option for the number of required days
• Kindergarten: 450 hours

• Grades 1-3: 810 hours
• Grades 4-8: 900 hours
• Grades 9-12: 990 hours

• Hour requirements include up to 22 hours for staff development but exclude recess, lunch, and passing periods.

Illinois

• 180 days
• Includes up to 4 professional development days.

Indiana

• 180 days

Iowa:

• 180 days
• 1,080 hours

• Districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per year or minimum days per year.

Kansas

• Grades K-11: 186 days
• Grades 12: 181 days

• Kindergarten: 465 hours
• Grades 1-11: 1,116 hours
• Grades 12: 1,086 hours

• Districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per year or minimum days per year.

Kentucky

• 170 days
• 1,062 hours
• Districts have a 185-day calendar that includes 170 instructional days and 4 days for professional development.

Louisiana

• 177 days
• 1,062 hours
• Louisiana specifies instructional time in minutes.
• Districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per year or days per year.
• Senior in grade 12 are allowed early dismissal for up to 10 instructional days.

Maine

• 175 days
• Students in grade 12 may have their year reduced to 170 days.

Maryland

• 180 days

• 1,080 hours (1,170 for public high schools)

Massachusetts

• Schools must operate at least 180 days/year but instructional time is measured in hours.
• Kindergarten: 425 hours

• Grades 1-5: 900 hours
• Grades 6-12: 990 hours
• Hours exclude lunch, recess, passing periods, homeroom, non-directed study periods, and time spent receiving school services or participating in optional school programs.

Michigan

• 180 days
• 1,098 hours

Minnesota

• Grades 1-11: 165 days

• Half-day Kindergarten: 425 hours
• Full-day Kindergarten: 850 hours
• Grades 1-6: 935 hours

• Grades 7-12: 1,020 hours

Mississippi

• 180 days

Missouri

• 5-day week: 174 days

• 4-day week: 142 days
• Kindergarten: 522 hours
• Grades 1-12: 1,044 hours

Montana

• Half-day Kindergarten: 360 hours
• Full-day K-3: 720 hours
• Grades 4-12: 1,080 hours

• Graduating seniors: 1,050 hours
• Includes an additional 3 days for instructional and professional development.

Nebraska

• Kindergarten: 400 hours

• Grades 1-8: 1,032 hours
• Grades 9-12; 1,080 hours

Nevada

• 180 days

• May includes up to 5 days for professional development with approval from the superintendent of public instruction.

New Hampshire

• 180 days
• Kindergarten: 450 hours

• Elementary schools: 945 hours
• Middle and high schools: 990 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per year or days per year.

• High school seniors may have their year reduced by up to 5 days or 30 hours.

New Jersey

• 180 days

New Mexico

• Half-day Kindergarten: 450 hours

• Full-day K-6: 990 hours
• Grades 7-12: 1,080 hours
• 33 hours of the full-day kindergarten program and 22 hours of grades 1-6 may be used for home visits by the teacher or parent-teacher conferences.

• 12 hours of grades 7-12 may be used to consult with parents or for parent-teacher conferences.

New York

• 180 days

North Carolina

• 185 days

• 1,025 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per year or days per year.

North Dakota

• 175 days
• In a 182-day calendar, 175 days are required for instruction, at least 2 must be used for professional development, and no more than 2 days may be used for parent-teacher conferences.
• Any reconfigured school year must include at least 951.5 hours for grade K-8 and 1,038 hours for grades 9-12.

Ohio

• District option for minimum days.

• Half-day Kindergarten: 455 hours
• Full-day K-6: 910 hours
• Grades 7-12: 1,001 hours

Oklahoma

• 180 days
• 1,080 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either the minimum hours per year or days per year.

• Hours include up to 30 hours used for professional meetings and 6 hours per semester for parent-teacher conferences.

Oregon

• Half-day Kindergarten: 450 hours
• Full-day K-8: 900 hours
• Grades 9-11: 990 hours
• Grade 12: 966 hours
• Hours include recess for grades K-3.
• Hours include up to 30 hours used for professional meetings and 6 hours per semester for parent-teacher conferences.

Pennsylvania

• 180 days
• Kindergarten: 450 hours

• Grade 1-8: 900 hours
• Grade 9-12: 990 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either the minimum hours per year or days per year.

Rhode Island

• 180 days
• 1,080 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either the minimum hours per year or days per year.

South Carolina

• 180 days
• 3 days must be used for professional development; no more than 2 days may be used for the preparation of opening schools; and 5 days must be used for teacher planning, academic plans, and parent conferences to total 190 days.

South Dakota

• Minimum days is district option.

• Kindergarten: 437.5 hours
• Grades 1-5: 875 hours
• Grades 6-12: 962.5 hours
• Hours include intermission for grades 1-5 but exclude intermissions for grates 6-12.
• School boards may release graduating seniors before the end of the school year.

Tennessee

• 180 days

• Plus 5 days for in-service and 1 day for parent-teacher conferences.

Texas

• 1,260 hours.
• Hours include intermissions and recesses.

• The state specifies instructional time in minutes.

Utah

• 180 days
• Kindergarten: 450 hours

• Grade 1: 810 hours
• Grades 1-12: 990
• Day requirement includes parent-teacher conferences or college and career conferences for up to 16.5 hours or 3 full school days.

Vermont

• 175 days
• Plus at least 5 days of teacher in-service education days.

Virginia

• 180 days

• Kindergarten: 540 hours
• Grades 1-12: 990 hours
• Districts have the option to meet either minimum hours per year or minimum days per year.

Washington

• 180 days
• Grades K-8: 1,000 hours
• Grades 9-12: 1,080 hours

West Virginia

• 180 days

Wisconsin

• Kindergarten: 437 hours
• Grades 1-6: 1,050 hours
• Grades 7-12: 1,137 hours

Wyoming

• 175 days
• Kindergarten: 450 hours

• Elementary: 900 hours
• Middle/Junior High: 1,050 hours
• Secondary: 1,100 hours

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