While most schools across the country start in mid-to-late August, Arizona students are already back in school. Some have been for nearly a month.
Many schools in Arizona take advantage of a modified year-round schedule. Educators say the schedule helps educators, students and parents take advantage of the nicer weather during the spring and fall. It also lessens summer learning loss and helps students who rely on services from their school district.
Here’s everything you need to know about back-to-school season in Arizona and why schools seem to return so much earlier than many schools across the country.
When do Arizona schools start?
Most metro Phoenix school districts were scheduled to have students return to class in early August for the 2024-25 school year.
The East Valley is home to the bulk of the districts that go back earlier. Chandler Unified returns to school on July 17. Higley Unified and Queen Creek Unified are both scheduled to return on Monday, July 22. Gilbert Public Schools are set to go back on Tuesday, July 23. The Tempe-area districts, including Kyrene, Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union, all have students returning on Wednesday, July 24.
Only about 8% of United States schools return before Aug. 4, according to a 2023 study from Pew Research Center. Most students across the country — about 77% — head back to school between Aug. 7-25. Just 15% of students return during the first week of September.
The United States western mountain region, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, starts between Aug. 14 and Aug. 25, Pew noted. However, Arizona and New Mexico start one to three weeks earlier than that on average.
Why do some Arizona schools start in July?
In 2023, three Tempe area school districts started earlier than previous years, more closely matching the late July return date of many East Valley schools. Teachers and district officials said the change provided the following benefits:
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Fall and spring break were extended from one week to two weeks, while winter break remains two weeks long. This allows students to enjoy the weather when it’s better and for teachers to unwind throughout the year.
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The change was intended to lessen summer learning loss and allow for additional, mid-year instructional time for students who need extra help.
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The shorter summer break could make a difference for students using school lunch programs and other services provided by the district.
Arizona Republic reporters Marcus Reichley, Madeleine Parrish and Helen Rummel contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why does Arizona start school early? Here’s what educators say