When Do Kids Go Back to School?
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Summer may be in full swing, but the countdown is already on to brand-new backpacks, bag lunches, and back-to-school supplies. While it might feel like there’s still plenty of time to soak up the sunshine, school starts sooner than you think in many parts of the country. In fact, nearly half of U.S. public schools now head back before August 16, and only a handful wait until after Labor Day.
That means it’s time to start planning: reestablishing routines, picking up school supplies, and preparing your home for the school year ahead. Knowing your district’s start date ahead of time is one of the best back-to-school tips—it’ll help you avoid the last-minute scramble and score the best back-to-school deals on everything from notebooks to new shoes. So, when do kids go back to school in 2025? It all depends on where you live, and we’ve got a full breakdown by region to help you plan, shop, and make the most of those final summer days.
So, When Do Kids Go Back to School?
According to Pew Research Center, “back to school” can mean anytime from late July to after Labor Day, depending on where in the United States you live. Let’s break it down by region!
In the Northeast
- New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut): School typically starts around the week of August 28.
- Middle Atlantic states (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania): About 75% of students start after Labor Day, which falls on September 1 this year.
In the South
- South Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida): Most schools in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina start in early to mid-August. In Delaware, Maryland, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia, schools usually begin mid- to late August, with some starting after Labor Day.
- East South Central (Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama): Most schools start around the week of August 7.
- West South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas): About 94% of students start between August 7 and August 18.
In the Midwest
- West North Central (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri): Schools generally start between mid-August and late August.
- East North Central (Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio): East North Central has similar start dates to West North Central, typically in mid to late August.
On the West Coast
- Mountain (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico): Generally, schools start between mid-August and late August.
- Pacific (Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii): Schools typically start between late August and early September.
When does summer end?
As much fun as back-to-school season is, it does unfortunately mean that summer is ending. While some people consider Labor Day (September 1, 2025) the final day of the season, the more official last day of summer is September 22, 2025. But no need to be sad! That’s the same day as the autumn equinox, which means you can finally start decorating for fall. (If you haven’t already.) Plus, Daylight Saving Time doesn’t go into effect until November 2, 2025, so it’ll still be a bit before you need to break out your coziest blankets. After that, it’ll be time for the holidays. In fact, happy 2026 everyone!
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Tierney McAfee
Tierney McAfee is a writer and editor with a passion for all things home, lifestyle, and entertaining. Her work has been featured in People, Country Living, The Pioneer Woman, The Spruce, and more, covering everything from interior design and holiday decor to DIY projects and the best products for home and lifestyle. Always in search of the next big trend or hidden gem, Tierney is all about transforming inspiration into style. When she’s not busy writing, she’s testing out new recipes, hunting for vintage treasures, or plotting her next outfit.
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