The average start date for Indiana schools this year falls within the first half of August. (WFIU/WTIU News)
Monroe County schools begin Aug. 2. The rest of Indiana varies on start dates, with some schools already back in class. Some Marion County schools returned July 26, a full week before MCCSC. Most schools have a similar schedule to MCCSC, with students returning in the first week of August. The average start date for Indiana schools this year falls within the first half of August.
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Nationally, back-to-school start dates land around August so that fall semester will end before winter break. Other schools opt to start around Labor Day, usually to accommodate summer tourism employees, who may be school staff or students.
No schools in Indiana appear to start in September. This may be due to schools needing more time to prepare for the ILEARN assessments.
A Pew sample found that, in 2019, the earliest back-to-school start date was July 23. For Wayne Township schools in Indianapolis, a July 26 start date allows for two-week fall and spring breaks.
One difference in the calendar this school year is that MCCSC has a built-in day off for the solar eclipse April 8. Most schools in Indianapolis and southern Indiana also will have the day off.
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