When does school start in California?
For 2026–27, first days among tracked California districts range from August 10, 2026 (San Diego Unified) to August 25, 2026 (Long Beach Unified). California schools typically start mid-August, mostly between August 10 and 20.
Districts, sorted by first day
| District | First day | Last day | Spring break |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Unified | August 10, 2026 | May 26, 2027 | March 29 – April 2, 2027 |
| Los Angeles Unified | August 12, 2026 | June 4, 2027 | March 22–26, 2027 |
| Elk Grove Unified | August 13, 2026 | May 27, 2027 | March 15–19, 2027 |
| Fresno Unified | August 17, 2026 | June 10, 2027 | March 22–29, 2027 |
| San Francisco Unified | August 17, 2026 | June 2, 2027 | March 26 – April 2, 2027 |
| Long Beach Unified | August 25, 2026 | June 10, 2027 | April 5–9, 2027 |
Questions parents ask
When does school start in California in 2026?
Among tracked districts, first days range from August 10, 2026 (San Diego Unified) to August 25, 2026 (Long Beach Unified). Most families should check their own district — the table on this page links every one.
Does California have a law about when school can start?
California has no state law setting a first day of school — Education Code section 37200 simply defines the school year as July 1 through June 30, and separate funding conditions (Education Code sections 46200 and 46207) require at least 180 instructional days and minimum annual instructional minutes to avoid an LCFF apportionment penalty, so your local school board picks the actual start date.
When is spring break in California in 2027?
Spring break varies by district — tracked districts fall between the week of March 15, 2027 and the week of April 5, 2027. Your district's page has the exact week.