Which Holidays Are School Holidays in New York?

In New York state, public school students are off from school during legal holidays. Legal holidays are holidays that are recognized federally, such as Christmas and Memorial Day. If a legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will serve as the school holiday. Schools in the New York City school district have additional school holidays that cater to the city's diverse population.

School Holidays in New York

The school holidays for public schools in the state of New York are New Year's Day; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Easter; Lincoln's Birthday; Washington's Birthday (President's Day); Memorial Day; Flag Day -- which is June 14th; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Election Day; Veteran's Day; plus Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. However, Election Day, Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday are optional, and classes are allowed to be in session, so consult your child's school for further information. Note that Christmas and New Year's occur during Winter Recess. Easter and Good Friday occur during Spring Recess, which is the first to second week of April. Thanksgiving occurs during Thanksgiving Recess, which is Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday. President's Day and Lincoln's birthday occur during Mid-Winter Recess. Unlike other legal holidays, June 14th -- which is Flag Day -- is only a school holiday if it falls during a weekday -- if it falls on the weekend, school is still in session the following Monday.

Holidays Specific to New York City

In New York City, the following are also school holidays: Anniversary Day, which is June 4th; plus Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and the Lunar New Year.

Other Special Holidays

Additionally, some schools are out of session in New York state for High School's Chancellor Conference Day; High School Scoring day; Clerical Shortened Days; Regent's Rating Day; and early dismissal for the last day of school.