School Year Calendar

Upcoming Dates

2024-25 School Year Dates

View start and end times for all schools. All schools have a 75-minute early release on Wednesdays, except the first day of school.

September 4 First day of school for 1st – 12th grade students. Sept. 4 is not an early release Wednesday. Early release will occur every Wednesday except for the first week of school. 

September 9 First day of school for preschool and kindergarten students

October 11 State In-service Day (no school for students) 

November 11 Veterans Day Observed (no school) 

November 25-27 Family-Teacher conference days in elementary and K-8 schools. (no school for elementary and K-8 schools, varies by school).
Most middle schools are open (see school website for more information).

November 28-29 Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day (no school) 

December 20 1-hour early dismissal 

December 23-January 3, 2025 Winter break (no school) 

January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)  

February 17-21 Mid-winter break, including Presidents Day (no school) 

April 14-18 Spring break (no school) 

May 26 Memorial Day (no school) 

June 18 Last day of school (1-hour early dismissal). 

June 19 Juneteenth (staff holiday, no school when school is in session) 

Potential emergency closure makeup days are June 20-24. 

The school calendar is developed collaboratively with SEA and the dates are agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The formula to schedule key dates in the CBA states that the first day of school will be the first Wednesday of September.

The key dates formula was originally bargained in the 2015-18 CBA as a tool for staff and families so there would be consistency around calendars and dates weren’t arbitrarily set.

During the 2019 bargaining period, multiple joint workgroups between SPS and SEA were established, with one specifically organized to address inclusive considerations related to religious and cultural observations and practices. This workgroup developed supplemental materials and guidance to go along with the traditional school year calendar.

While not all religious/cultural events can be accommodated for, this guidance was created to serve as a reference for schools, families, and communities to be aware of potential schedule conflicts and excused absences and/or to make appropriate accommodations and supports for students and families on days of religious/cultural observances.

The religious and cultural observances identified in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Religion and Religious Accommodations documents, also highlights observances and traditions which involve fasting, which may have an impact on students’ abilities to perform at their highest level or be a reason for an absence from class.

Key Dates in the CBA

The below dates were negotiated as a part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

• First day of school: The first Wednesday in September.
• State In-service Day: As recognized by the state and typically the second Friday in October.
• Winter break: At least 10 weekdays, ending after New Year’s Day. If New Year’s Day falls or is observed on a Monday, students will return to school on the next day (Tuesday).
• Mid-winter break: Presidents’ Day and the following four workdays.
• Spring break: Five days starting the second Monday in April.
• Snow make-up days: At least three snow days shall be scheduled and additional snow make-up days may be added if necessary
• Holidays:
  • Labor Day (when school begins before this day in September)
  • Veterans Day (November)
  • Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving (November)
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January)
  • Presidents’ Day (February)
  • Memorial Day (May)
• Contractual Days: The four days immediately preceding the start of school, except for the Friday before Labor Day
• Conferences: Three consecutive days for conferences immediately preceding Thanksgiving Day
• Collaboration and Professional Learning Time. The district will schedule one seventy-five (75) minute early release every Wednesday except for the first week of school or if the last day of school is a Wednesday

Read the Collective Bargaining Agreement between SPS and Seattle Education Association (SEA) Employees 2022-25