The start of the 2026-2027 school year in Florida is set for the second week of August, although specific dates differ from county to county.
Parents and students should check their district's calendar to avoid any surprises, as each county independently determines its own start date for classes.
In total, 38 out of Florida's 67 counties will commence classes on August 10.
Staggered Start Dates in South Florida
Broward and Palm Beach counties will open their doors on Monday, August 10, leading the southern part of the state in starting the school year.
Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys, will begin on Wednesday, August 12.
Miami-Dade, Florida's largest school district, kicks off on Thursday, August 13, being one of the few in the state not starting during the first week.
The academic year in Miami-Dade will end on June 3, 2027, giving families one of the longest summers in the nation.
The official Miami-Dade 2026-2027 calendar is available for download on the district's website.
Central Florida: Majority Begin on August 10
In the Orlando area, most Central Florida counties will start on August 10, as confirmed by Telemundo 31.
Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties will begin on Monday, August 10.
Orange County, home to Orlando, and Polk County will delay their start until Tuesday, August 11.
Other Regions in Florida: Tampa, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee
Hillsborough (Tampa), Duval (Jacksonville), and Leon (Tallahassee) counties are also set to begin their school year on August 10, aligning with most districts across the state.
Tax-Free Shopping for Back-to-School in Florida
Before classes resume, Florida families can benefit from the tax-free holiday for school supplies, which runs from July 20 to August 20, 2026.
This tax exemption applies to clothing and footwear up to $100 per item, school supplies up to $50, educational materials up to $30, and technology such as laptops and tablets up to $1,500, both in physical stores and online purchases.
For the new school year, Florida is also introducing mandatory cursive writing lessons in public schools, along with a law stipulating that middle schools cannot start before 8:00 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m.
School Start Dates Across the United States
Outside of Florida, school start dates vary significantly.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will begin its year on August 12.
Chicago and Denver schools will start on August 24. Meanwhile, New York will not open its schools until September 10.
As for the end of the school year, Los Angeles and Denver will finish on June 4, 2027, Chicago on June 11, and New York on June 28, 2027.
"Families in Miami, Denver, and Los Angeles will enjoy the longest summer, while those in New York will have the shortest," summarizes the 2026-2027 U.S. school calendar.
FAQs about Florida's 2026-2027 School Year Schedule
When does the 2026-2027 school year start in Miami-Dade County?
Miami-Dade County will start the school year on August 13, 2026.
What are the tax-free shopping dates for school supplies in Florida?
The tax-free period for school supplies in Florida runs from July 20 to August 20, 2026.
Which counties in Florida start school on August 10, 2026?
38 counties in Florida, including Broward, Palm Beach, and Hillsborough, will begin school on August 10, 2026.