Iowa School Calendars

267 school districts

Iowa has 267 school districts across 263 cities with calendar data for the 2025-26 school year. Districts average 175 instructional days per year.

Academic Calendar Overview

Iowa school districts follow a 2025-26 academic calendar that spans from August 1, 2025 through June 26, 2026. With 267 districts across 263 cities and communities, Iowa families have a wide range of schedules to navigate depending on where they live. Understanding when school starts, when breaks fall, and how many instructional days your child will have helps parents plan vacations, childcare, and family activities around the academic year. With an average of 175 instructional days required per year, Iowa school districts must carefully balance state mandates with local scheduling needs, including teacher planning days, professional development, and weather makeup days.

When Does School Start?

The earliest Iowa districts begin classes on August 1, 2025, while others do not start until September 4, 2025 — a spread of 34 days that reflects the diverse local priorities and climate conditions across the state. Districts that start earlier in the summer tend to align breaks with local events or agricultural cycles, while later-starting districts may preserve more of the traditional summer for families. This variation means a family moving from one Iowa district to another could encounter a schedule shift of several weeks, making it important to verify your specific district's calendar each year. Across Iowa, districts average 175 instructional days — a figure set by state education mandates but often exceeded by individual districts that build in additional learning time.

Break Schedules

For the 2025-26 academic year, the most common spring break window in Iowa runs from March 16, 2026 through March 20, 2026, a schedule shared by 62 districts. Families planning spring travel should be aware that while this is the dominant pattern, not all Iowa districts follow the same dates — some districts schedule spring break a week earlier or later based on local traditions or the academic calendar layout. Winter break — the longest scheduled recess of the school year — most commonly begins December 22, 2025 and runs through January 2, 2026 for 119 Iowa districts. This multi-week window is a critical planning period for families booking holiday travel, managing childcare during the break, and coordinating with extended family schedules.

Data Sources & Accuracy

Major Iowa communities including Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Cedar Rapids, and Bettendorf are represented in our dataset, alongside hundreds of smaller districts across the state. All calendar data on this site is sourced directly from official Iowa school district websites, PDF calendars, and district-published iCal feeds. The data is refreshed regularly to reflect mid-year amendments, snow day adjustments, and any changes announced by districts after the start of the school year. While we work to keep information current, parents should always verify critical dates — such as the first day of school, standardized testing windows, and graduation ceremonies — against their district's official website or the district office directly. Use the district links below to navigate to your specific school calendar page, where you can view the full schedule and download an iCal file for Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, or Outlook.

First Day of School
Aug 1Sep 4
Last Day of School
May 15Jun 26
Most Common Spring Break
Mar 16Mar 20
62 districts
Most Common Winter Break
Dec 22Jan 2
119 districts

Top Cities by District Count

Des Moines(2)Council Bluffs(2)Cedar Rapids(2)Bettendorf(2)Wyoming(1)Winthrop(1)Winterset(1)Winfield(1)Williamsburg(1)Whiting(1)

Compare School Calendars

Showing districts with available 2025-26 calendar data. Data updates daily.

DistrictFirst DayLast DaySpring BreakWinter Break
Adair-Casey Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Mar 19Dec 24
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School DistrictAug 25May 29Mar 13Dec 22
AGWSR Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Apr 3Dec 22
Akron Westfield Comm School DistrictAug 22May 22Apr 3Dec 22
Alburnett Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Mar 17Dec 22
Alden Comm School DistrictAug 23May 30Mar 17Dec 23
Algona Comm School DistrictAug 25May 20Mar 16Dec 19
Allamakee Comm School DistrictAug 25May 21Apr 3Dec 24
Alta-Aurelia Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Apr 2Dec 22
Ames Comm School DistrictAug 25May 29Mar 16Dec 22
Anamosa Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Mar 16Dec 22
Andrew Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Apr 3Dec 22
Ankeny Comm School DistrictAug 25May 29Mar 13Dec 22
Aplington-Parkersburg Comm School DistrictAug 13May 21Mar 30Dec 22
Audubon Comm School DistrictSep 2Jun 17Apr 3Dec 24
Baxter Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Mar 16Dec 24
Bedford Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Mar 16Dec 24
Bellevue Comm School DistrictAug 25May 22Mar 30Dec 23
Belmond-Klemme Comm School DistrictAug 25May 28Mar 6Dec 23
Benton Comm School DistrictAug 13May 21Mar 23Dec 22

A15 districts

B8 districts

C35 districts

D14 districts

E14 districts

F3 districts

G13 districts

H11 districts

I7 districts

J3 districts

K4 districts

L11 districts

M23 districts

N17 districts

O8 districts

P9 districts

R7 districts

S27 districts

T6 districts

U3 districts

V3 districts

W26 districts

Frequently Asked Questions

When does school start in Iowa?

For the 2025-26 school year, the first day of school in Iowa ranges from August 1, 2025 to September 4, 2025, depending on the district. Check individual district calendars below for exact dates.

When is the last day of school in Iowa?

The last day of school in Iowa for 2025-26 ranges from May 15, 2026 to June 26, 2026. Each district sets its own end date based on local scheduling.

When is spring break in Iowa?

The most common spring break dates in Iowa for 2025-26 are March 16, 2026 to March 20, 2026, shared by 62 districts. Other districts may have different dates — check your district's calendar for exact spring break timing.

How many school districts are in Iowa?

We have calendar data for 267 school districts in Iowa, spanning 263 cities. The average school year includes 175 instructional days.