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School's back: US return dates vary widely.

Across the US, school start dates remain inconsistent. This week, students in Georgia and Mississippi begin their school year, yet their peers in New York won't resume classes until September. When it comes to education, a united approach is needed to ensure all children have equal opportunities, regardless of their location.

Published July 29, 2024 at 4:30am by Mary Walrath-Holdridge

US students head back to the classroom

The weather may be hot, but it's back to school for some US students. While some kids enjoy another month of summer, others are already hitting the books.

Back-to-school varies: Kids in Lamar County, Mississippi, are back in class. Atlanta students return Aug. 1. Buffalo, New York, students start Sept. 1, while Chicago begins Aug. 26.

Across the country

A 2019 Pew Research Center analysis of 13,000 districts found:

By mid-August, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee students were back.
No New England/Mid-Atlantic districts returned till late August.
Some year-round calendars begin in July.
New Jersey students return 2nd week of September.

Why the variation?

The popular theory is that school schedules historically reflected agrarian culture. Southern children were needed on farms, so school schedules varied.

Experts say it's more likely schedules were set by [community needs](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/14/back-school- dates-vary-state-state-herers-why/1933449001/).

"School calendars reflected the needs of their communities" - Julie Gorlewski, University at Buffalo

Factors influencing dates:

Weather
Holidays
Collective bargaining
Government funding/regs

Parent/teacher views:

"My kids go back after Labor Day...I like starting in September." - Julia Fuller, NY public school parent

"I prefer the later start dates that are common in southern states." - Emily Simril, teacher and parent

"We're ready!...After the pandemic, we realized we've got to space things out..." - Andre Simmons, GA school principal