The school calendar of NYC 2025-2026 is to start on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and end on Friday, June 26, 2026. After carrying out the academic year, summer break is held from late June up to the beginning of September so that the students can enjoy a complete holiday to rest before the new scholastic year. The winter break will include Wednesday, December 24, 2025, to Thursday, January 1, 2026, so that in this way, families can spend the winter holidays and the New Year together. Other important holidays, such as Thanksgiving (November 27-28, 2025), Midwinter Recess (February 16-20, 2026), and Spring Recess (April 10-17, 2026), are also celebrated.
2025-2026 School Year Calendar
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NYC School Calendar 2025-2026
| Event | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| First Day of School | Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
| Rosh Hashanah (Schools Closed) | Monday, September 29, 2025 |
| Yom Kippur (Schools Closed) | Wednesday, October 8, 2025 |
| Thanksgiving Break | Thursday, November 27 – Friday, November 28, 2025 |
| Winter Recess | Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – Thursday, January 1, 2026 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 19, 2026 |
| Midwinter Recess | Monday, February 16 – Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Spring Recess | Monday, April 6 – Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| Memorial Day (Schools Closed) | Monday, May 25, 2026 |
| Last Day of School | Friday, June 26, 2026 |
| Summer Break Begins | Saturday, June 27, 2026 |
New York City (NYC) is home to the biggest public school system in the United States, administered by the New York City Department of Education. It provides education to more than one million students in its more than 1,800 schools at the pre-kindergarten through high school level. The school district is subdivided into 32 community school districts that oversee the elementary and middle schools, which are publicly funded. High schools are run on a system on citywide basis. The NYC schools offer a multifaceted course that shows academic, arts, physical education, and special education services to all the students to have a rounded type of education. Specialized programming used in the city includes gifted and talented, dual language, and career and technical education (CTE).
2025-2026 Academic Calendar – NYC schools tend to ensure equal opportunities to learn when it comes to the diversity of students who represent different cultures and backgrounds. The system consists of conventional public schools, charter schools, Magnet schools, and specialized high schools such as Stuyvesant and Bronx Science that take admissions tests. The school year usually starts in September and ends in June, with long holidays and winter recess. The NYC Department of Education never stops focusing on safety in schools, better mental health, and technology in classes. Parents, student support services, and teacher training are the areas that are essential in defining the future of education in NYC.
NYC School Holidays 2025-2026
| Date(s) | Holiday / Break |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Labor Day (Schools Closed) |
| September 29, 2025 | Rosh Hashanah |
| October 8, 2025 | Yom Kippur |
| November 27–28, 2025 | Thanksgiving Break |
| December 24, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | Winter Recess |
| January 19, 2026 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| February 16–20, 2026 | Midwinter Recess |
| March 20, 2026 | Eid al-Fitr |
| April 2–10, 2026 | Spring Recess |
| May 25, 2026 | Memorial Day |
| May 27, 2026 | Eid al-Adha |
| June 19, 2026 | Juneteenth |
NYC School 2025-2026 Teacher Workdays Calendar
| Date | Day | Workday Type (No Students) |
|---|---|---|
| September 2, 2025 | Tuesday | Staff Report Day (no students) |
| September 3, 2025 | Wednesday | Staff Report Day (no students) |
| November 4, 2025 | Tuesday | Election Day – Professional Development for Teachers |
| January 26, 2026 | Monday | High School PD Day – No attendance for students in grades 9–12 |
| June 4, 2026 | Thursday | Anniversary Day – Chancellor’s Conference Day (no students) |
| June 5, 2026 | Friday | Clerical Day – No students in elementary, middle, K–12, District 75 |
Notes:
- These dates are staff workdays and no school for students.
- Student School Year Starts: Thursday, September 4, 2025 Student School Year Ends: Friday, June 26, 2026
- I suspect we’ll still have early dismissals on Parent-teacher conference and grading days, but those do not count as teacher workdays.
- Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring, and all national holidays are days off for Faculty, administration, and students.
NYC Public Schools Curriculum Overview (2025–2026)
Elementary School (Grades K–5)
| Subject Area | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| English Language Arts (ELA) | Implementation of the NYC Reads initiative, focusing on phonics-based reading instruction using curricula such as HMH Into Reading, Imagine Learning EL Education, and Great Minds Wit & Wisdom. Emphasis on developing reading fluency, comprehension, and writing skills. |
| Mathematics | Adoption of the NYC Solves curriculum, promoting conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. Instruction includes topics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and basic geometry. |
| Science | Exploration of life sciences, physical sciences, and earth sciences. Hands-on activities and experiments to foster inquiry-based learning. |
| Social Studies | Study of communities, geography, history, and civics. Introduction to cultural diversity and global awareness. |
| Health Education | Focus on personal health, nutrition, safety, and emotional well-being. |
| Physical Education | Development of motor skills, physical fitness, and teamwork through various sports and activities. |
| Arts | Exposure to visual arts, music, dance, and theater, encouraging creativity and self-expression. |
| Computer Science | Introduction to basic coding, digital literacy, and responsible internet use. |
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
| Grade Level | Subject Areas | Key Focus Areas |
| Grade 6 | ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Arts, Physical Education, Health Education | Analysis of literature, introduction to algebra, study of energy forms and ecosystems, exploration of Eastern Hemisphere geography and history. |
| Grade 7 | ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Arts, Physical Education, Health Education | Writing argumentative essays, understanding ratios and proportions, study of Earth's surface changes, U.S. history from Pre-Colonial times to Civil War, exploration of visual and performing arts. |
| Grade 8 | ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Arts, Physical Education, Health Education | Interpretation of complex texts, study of algebraic equations, laws of motion, U.S. history from Reconstruction to modern times, advanced arts education. |
High School (Grades 9–12)
| Subject Area | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| English Language Arts (ELA) | Advanced reading and analysis of literature and informational texts, development of writing skills in various genres, preparation for college and career readiness. |
| Mathematics | Courses including Algebra I & II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Statistics, with an emphasis on problem-solving and analytical thinking. |
| Science | Offerings in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science, incorporating laboratory experiments and scientific inquiry. |
| Social Studies | Study of U.S. History, World History, Government, Economics, and participation in civic engagement activities. |
| Health Education | Topics covering mental health, substance abuse prevention, sexual education, and overall well-being. |
| Physical Education | Emphasis on fitness, sportsmanship, and lifelong physical activity. |
| Arts | Advanced courses in visual arts, music, theater, and dance, with opportunities for performance and exhibition. |
| Computer Science | Courses in coding, cybersecurity, data analysis, and digital design, preparing students for technology-related careers. |
| Electives | Wide range of electives including foreign languages, business education, technology, and vocational training. |
NYC School 2025-2026 Bell and Period Schedules
| School | Start Time | End Time | Number of Periods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hills High School | 7:15 AM | 3:59 PM | 11 |
| James Madison High School | 7:20 AM | 3:40 PM | 10 |
| HS of Sports Management (Regular Day) | 8:00 AM | 3:52 PM | 10 |
| HS of Sports Management (Wed) | 8:00 AM | 2:20 PM | 10 (shortened) |
Forest Hills High School (Queens)
- Period 1: 7:15 AM – 7:59 AM
- Period 2: 8:03 AM – 8:47 AM
- Period 3: 8:51 AM – 9:35 AM
- Period 4: 9:39 AM – 10:23 AM
- Period 5: 10:27 AM – 11:11 AM
- Period 6: 11:15 AM – 11:59 AM
- Period 7: 12:03 PM – 12:47 PM
- Period 8: 12:51 PM – 1:35 PM
- Period 9: 1:39 PM – 2:23 PM
- Period 10: 2:27 PM – 3:11 PM
- Period 11: 3:15 PM – 3:59 PM
James Madison High School (Brooklyn)
- Period 1: 7:20 AM – 8:06 AM
- Period 2: 8:10 AM – 8:58 AM
- Period 3: 9:02 AM – 9:48 AM
- Period 4: 9:52 AM – 10:38 AM
- Period 5: 10:42 AM – 11:28 AM
- Period 6: 11:32 AM – 12:18 PM
- Period 7: 12:22 PM – 1:08 PM
- Period 8: 1:12 PM – 1:58 PM
- Period 9: 2:02 PM – 2:48 PM
- Period 10: 2:52 PM – 3:40 PM
High School of Sports Management (Brooklyn)
Regular Days (Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri):
- Period 1: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
- Period 2: 8:47 AM – 9:32 AM
- Period 3 (Announcements): 9:34 AM – 10:23 AM
- Period 4: 10:25 AM – 11:10 AM
- Period 5: 11:12 AM – 11:57 AM
- Period 6 (Lunch): 11:59 AM – 12:44 PM
- Period 7: 12:46 PM – 1:31 PM
- Period 8: 1:33 PM – 2:18 PM
- Period 9: 2:20 PM – 3:05 PM
- Period 10: 3:07 PM – 3:52 PM
Wednesdays (Shortened Day):
- Periods start at 8:00 AM and end at 2:20 PM with shorter periods (approx. 36–40 minutes)
Notes:
- The NYC DOE sets the school calendar (start/end dates, holidays); however, each school can manage its bell schedule.
- The solution: How to know when your girlfriend is due for her period.
- Contact your school office directly.
- Visit your school’s official website.
- Review student or parent handbooks that are distributed at the beginning of the year.
FAQs
Q: When does the NYC school year start and end?
A: The NYC school year normally begins in the first week of September and ends in the middle of June. All the dates are slightly different on a year-to-year basis, and the number can be found on the official NYC DOE academic calendar.
Q: How can I enroll my child in a NYC public school?
A: To enroll your child, you may visit your local Family Welcome Center, or registration can be done through the NYC MySchools portal. The enrollment prerequisites are your residency proof, birth certificate of your child, immunization, and past (no school records) school records.
Q: Are NYC public schools free?
A: Indeed, all of the residents of NYC can attend its free schools, pre-K to grade 12. This involves teaching and most of the textbooks and access to school practices, but not all optional activities are free.
Q: What specialized high schools are available in NYC?
A: There are selective high schools in NYC, such as Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech, with several others. The procedure is usually admission to an exam city called Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), except LaGuardia High School, which requires an audition.
Q: How do school closures or weather delays get announced?
A: Information about weather or emergency school closures is reported on the NYC DOE, the local news stations, and on the Notify NYC system, as well as school-based communication methods.