News Summary
New York City public school students are returning to classes with a calendar that embraces a wide array of cultural and religious holidays. The academic year includes breaks for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, and numerous other observances. This initiative aims to honor the diverse backgrounds of the student body, ensuring inclusivity and respect within the educational environment. Significant breaks such as Spring break and midwinter recess are also included in the schedule. Overall, the calendar reflects the city’s rich cultural tapestry and commitment to supporting all its students.
New York City public school students have returned to classes for the 2025-2026 academic year, and various holidays and breaks have been scheduled throughout the school calendar. Students will receive time off to celebrate multiple cultural and religious observances, creating a diverse academic schedule aimed at accommodating the varied backgrounds of the student body.
All public school students will have two days off for Rosh Hashanah, with the breaks occurring on Tuesday, September 23, and Wednesday, September 24. This two-day Jewish celebration, also known as the “head of the year,” begins at sundown on Monday, September 22, and concludes at nightfall on Wednesday, September 24. Classes will resume on Thursday, September 25.
The following week, students will again have a holiday for Yom Kippur, which will take place on Thursday, October 2. This day serves as the most important religious observance in Judaism, focusing on atonement and repentance.
Significant Breaks in the Academic Calendar
The academic calendar features a range of significant breaks, including six additional days off scheduled before the winter recess begins on December 24. Under this calendar, public schools will also be closed on Monday, March 31, 2025, in observance of Eid al-Fitr, a holiday that signifies the end of Ramadan and is celebrated as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” Classes will resume the next day, on Tuesday, April 1.
Spring break is scheduled to occur from April 14 to April 18, 2025. Moreover, public schools will observe Eid al-Adha with a closure on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Some students will enjoy an additional day off on Friday, June 6, 2025, due to the Clerical Day set by the city Department of Education. Additionally, June 19, 2025, will be a day off for Juneteenth. The school year will conclude on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
Comprehensive Holiday Observations
The calendar not only addresses major religious observances but also recognizes a number of other significant days throughout the year. Holidays include Good Friday, Diwali, Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Election Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, and Juneteenth. Parent-teacher conference days are also included in the academic schedule.
During the midwinter recess, students will enjoy nine days off from February 17 to February 21, 2025, returning to school on February 24. The Lunar New Year will also be acknowledged with a day off on Wednesday, with students set to return on Thursday after the break.
Conclusion
The New York City public school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year exhibits a commitment to inclusivity by providing students with time off for a variety of holidays that reflect the diverse cultural tapestry of the city. By recognizing these observances, the school system seeks to create an environment where all students feel valued and respected.
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Additional Resources
- Silive: NYC Public Schools Closure
- Wikipedia: Public School
- Silive: NYC Students Days Off
- Google Search: NYC Public School Calendar
- Silive: National Day of Mourning
- Google Scholar: Education Policy New York City
- Silive: NYC Schools Closure Wednesday
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in New York
- Silive: NYC Public Schools Closure Tuesday
- Google News: NYC School News
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