When does school start in Washington?
For 2026–27, Seattle Public Schools — the one Washington district tracked here so far — starts school Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Washington schools typically start late August to the first week of September.
Districts, sorted by first day
| District | First day | Last day | Spring break |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Public Schools | September 2, 2026 | June 21, 2027 | April 12–16, 2027 |
When Washington law lets school start
Washington has no state law restricting when school may start — local districts set their own calendars as long as they provide at least 180 school days and the required instructional hours (RCW 28A.150.220).
How Washington 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 Washington in 2026?
Seattle Public Schools, the one Washington district tracked here so far, starts school on September 2, 2026. Its page has the breaks and the last day.
Does Washington have a law about when school can start?
Washington has no state law restricting when school may start — local districts set their own calendars as long as they provide at least 180 school days and the required instructional hours (RCW 28A.150.220).