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    School Year Dates

    School Year Calendar

    The school calendar is negotiated between Seattle Education Association and the district. The Seattle School Board adopted the 2019-20 school calendar at the Jan. 23, 2019 board meeting.

    2019-20 School Year Dates

    Students are released 75 minutes early every Wednesday, except for the first day of school. This is to support improved teacher collaboration and student academic performance.

    Aug. 19 – 23 Jump Start, a sneak peek at school for incoming kindergartners. Read more about Jump Start.

    Wed., Sept. 4, 2019 First day of school for 1st – 12 grade students (regular school hours apply, no early release)

    Wed., Sept. 4 – Fri., Sept. 6 Family Connection Conferences for incoming kindergarten and preschool families. Read more about Family Connections Conferences.

    Mon., Sept. 9 First day of school for kindergarten, Seattle Preschool Program and full-day Head Start students (three-day delayed start for Family Connection)

    Fri., Oct. 11 State In-service Day (no school)

    Mon., Nov. 11 Veterans Day (no school)

    Nov. 25 – 27 Elementary conference days (no school for elementary and K-8 students; varies by school)

    Nov. 28 – 29 Thanksgiving break (no school) Nov. 28 Thanksgiving, Nov. 29 Native American Heritage Day

    Fri., Dec. 20 1-hour early dismissal (winter break)

    Dec. 23, 2019 – Jan. 3, 2020 Winter break (no school)

    Mon., Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)

    Tues., Jan. 28 Day between semesters (no school) *possible snow make-up day (1 of 3)

    Feb. 17 – 21 Mid-winter break including Presidents Day (no school)

    April 13 – 17 Spring break (no school)

    Mon., May 25 Memorial Day (no school)

    Thurs., June 18, 2020 Last day of school (1-hour early dismissal) *possible snow make-up days June 19 and 22

    Click the links below to find the web-based calendar for these dates based on school type.


    Calendar Development

    • Union negotiation outcomes determine the first day of school and school breaks for future school years.
    • The calendar is developed in cooperation with all of the bargaining groups representing Seattle Public Schools employees.
    • The calendar is structured to provide a full week of instruction following spring break and before the beginning of the spring testing period.
    • It provides specific dates that will be used as make-up days in the event that inclement weather necessitates school closures.