American School Holidays

Most, but not all, schools in America observe federal holidays.

Public schools in the United States are not required to observe all federal holidays. Recognition is left up to both the state government and district school boards, and therefore the school calendar varies per state and district. However, most schools across the country do observe most if not all federal holidays -- either with a celebration or by closing the school. Law only requires that federal government employees receive a work-free holiday for all designated federal holidays. Some schools also celebrate regional or nonfederal American holidays.

Federal Holidays

There are 10 federal holidays (not counting Inauguration Day reserved for Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia only) observed by most public school calendars in the United States. Holidays for which most schools close include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Other federal holidays that schools may or may not be closed for or even observe with celebration include President's Day, Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. For federal holidays observed with closure that fall on a Saturday or Sunday, most schools will observe the day by closing school on the following Monday.

American Holidays

There are dozens of American holidays that many schools or even simply many classrooms within schools choose to celebrate. These holidays are not federally recognized holidays but are part of American culture. The vast majority of schools do not close for cultural holidays. American holidays include Valentine's Day, Groundhog's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Mother's Day, Flag Day, Father's Day, Patriot Day (Sept. 11), Halloween and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Schools usually celebrate these holidays either with a gathering or presentation, history lesson or small party. Religious-specific holidays are generally not celebrated in public schools.

State Holidays

States have the right to reject any federal holiday they deem unfit for celebration. Many states, including California, refuse to celebrate Columbus Day and instead celebrate "Indigenous People's Day." Most states also celebrate their own local culture and history through holidays, many of which are observed in the state's schools through either celebration or school closure. In Texas, "Texas Independence Day," is observed, in California their statehood is observed with "Admission Day," Louisiana celebrates Mardi Gras and in many southern U.S. states, Confederate remembrance (memorial) days are observed. Some school districts in states such as Massachusetts include at least one Muslim holiday of observance during the school year during which the school is closed.

Regional/District Regulation

Whether or not a school is closed or celebrates a national, local or state holiday is left entirely up to the school boards. School boards are responsible for scheduling what, when and how long a holiday (school closure) will last.

References

• U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal Holidays
• USA.Gov: American Holidays
• InfoPlease: State Holidays
• Boston: School System to Get Muslim Holiday