(KMDL-FM) Technically, Louisiana hasn’t enjoyed a full week of summer in 2025 yet. Technically, most of us don’t “enjoy” summer in Louisiana, come to think of it. It’s something we tolerate between graduation and the beginning of football season.
And yes, it’s time to allow once again thoughts of school bells, buses, and homework back into our brains because school will begin sooner than you know in many parishes across Louisiana.
In Louisiana, there is no uniform start date for all schools in the state. Each local school board is responsible for creating its academic calendar and determining the start and end dates of the school year. According to Louisiana law, there must be a minimum of 177 instructional days. But those days are often broken down by the minute.
State law allows schools and school systems to modify the number of instructional minutes per day, but at the end of the year, the number of minutes must add up to meet at least the minimum requirements. The flexibility of instructional minutes allows for schools to adjust schedules to include teacher training, student safety training, or other educational activities.
So, we’ve determined that public schools must provide at least 63,720 instructional minutes per year, and private schools must provide 57,750 instructional minutes. And we know that standardized testing can’t take up more than two percent of the minimum required instructional minutes per year. So, the most obvious question we can ask now is this. When does school start?
When Is the First Day of School in Lafayette Parish?
In Lafayette Parish, public schools will hold their first day of class on August 7th. The system will once again begin the year with a staggered start based on a student’s home address. You can see the staggered start schedule here.
When is the First Day of School in Acadia Parish?
Public Schools in Acadia Parish will welcome back students on August 6th. August 4th and 5th will be Teacher Professional Days. Students’ last day of classes in 2026 will be May 21.
When is the First Day of School in Vermilion Parish?
In Vermilion Parish, students will return to public schools for their first official day on August 8th. Teachers will report a few days earlier on August 5th. Graduation will be spread out over three days next spring on May 14th, 15th, and 16th.
Download the KMDL Mobile App Now
When is the First Day of School in St Landry Parish?
St Landry Parish Public Schools will hold their first day of class on August 7th. That will be a Thursday. The preceding Monday through Wednesday will be used for teacher and staff development. The last day for students in St Landry Parish next spring will be on May 20th, with graduation exercises taking place during the week of May 11 through the 15th.
When is the First Day of School in St Martin Parish?
Students in St Martin Parish will report for their first day of class on August 12th. Teachers will have professional development days from August 5th through 11th. The final day for students in St Martin Parish next spring will be May 21st.
When is the First Day of School in Iberia Parish?
Students in Iberia Parish will report to class on August 7th for their first official day. Teacher in-service and professional development will take place in the days preceding the first day of classes. The final day of school in Iberia Parish is set for May 22 next year.
When is the First Day of School in St Mary Parish?
Students in St Mary Parish will greet teachers and administrators for their first full day of school on August 7th. Teachers will have professional development between August 1 and August 6. The final day of classes in St Mary Parish is set for May 22, 2026.
When is the First Day of School in Jeff Davis Parish?
Students in Jeff Davis Parish will begin the 2025-2026 school year on August 8th, according to a published report. The official school board site did not offer a current calendar at the time of this report. Teachers will have professional days August 4th through the 7th. The last day for students in Jeff Davis Parish schools will be May 22, 2026.
Use this information for planning purposes, but please understand that school systems and school boards can and often do make changes to their schedules. We have provided links, where available, to official school board sites so that you may find updated information as we move closer to the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year…