When does school start in Georgia?
For 2026–27, first days among tracked Georgia districts range from August 3, 2026 (Atlanta Public Schools) to August 7, 2026 (DeKalb County Schools). Georgia schools typically start early August.
Districts, sorted by first day
| District | First day | Last day | Spring break |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Public Schools | August 3, 2026 | May 27, 2027 | April 5–9, 2027 |
| Cherokee County School District | August 3, 2026 | May 25, 2027 | April 5–9, 2027 |
| Cobb County Schools | August 3, 2026 | May 19, 2027 | April 5–9, 2027 |
| Fulton County Schools | August 3, 2026 | May 27, 2027 | April 5–9, 2027 |
| Gwinnett County Public Schools | August 5, 2026 | May 26, 2027 | April 5–9, 2027 |
| DeKalb County Schools | August 7, 2026 | May 26, 2027 | March 22–26, 2027 |
When Georgia law lets school start
Georgia has no state law saying when school can start — the state's 180-day school year law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-168) and its State Board rule only require each district to hold at least 180 school days, and your local school board picks the actual first day, which is why most Georgia schools open in early August.
Breaks and the end of the year
Compare across a metro
How Georgia compares
- When do schools start? — every state tracked here, from the earliest first day in the country to the latest.
- When is spring break? — the week each state takes off, side by side.
- When is winter break? — the December dates, and the day students go back in January.
- When is the last day of school? — when the year ends, state by state.
Questions parents ask
When does school start in Georgia in 2026?
Among tracked districts, first days range from August 3, 2026 (Atlanta Public Schools) to August 7, 2026 (DeKalb County Schools). Most families should check their own district — the table on this page links every one.
Does Georgia have a law about when school can start?
Georgia has no state law saying when school can start — the state's 180-day school year law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-168) and its State Board rule only require each district to hold at least 180 school days, and your local school board picks the actual first day, which is why most Georgia schools open in early August.
When is spring break in Georgia in 2027?
Spring break varies by district — tracked districts fall between the week of March 22, 2027 and the week of April 5, 2027. Your district's page has the exact week.