News Summary
Central Florida school districts are finalizing their plans for the upcoming academic year, set to welcome students back in mid-August. The major districts, including Orange County Public Schools, will cater to hundreds of thousands of students with a detailed academic calendar. Parents should check with local districts for specific schedules, as new legislation allows for varying start times. Additionally, the back-to-school sales tax holiday offers a chance for families to purchase necessary supplies without incurring sales tax, ensuring students are ready for a productive year ahead.
Orlando, Florida – Central Florida schools are gearing up to welcome students back for the new academic year, which is set to commence on Monday, August 11, 2025, across most local counties. The only notable exception is Sumter County, where students will begin their classes on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. This starts aligns with a state law that mandates school years in Florida cannot begin prior to August 10.
Among the region’s largest school districts, Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) will cater to nearly 210,000 students. The academic calendar for OCPS is scheduled to run from August 11, 2025, to May 27, 2026. During the school year, OCPS is set to provide a winter break from December 22, 2025, to January 2, 2026, as well as a spring break from March 16-22, 2026.
In addition to OCPS, other school districts in Central Florida have prepared their own schedules for the upcoming year:
- Brevard Public Schools: August 11, 2025 – May 27, 2026
- Lake County Schools: August 11, 2025 – May 29, 2026
- Marion County Public Schools: August 11, 2025 – May 28, 2026
- Osceola County Schools: August 11, 2025 – May 28, 2026
- Polk County Public Schools: August 11, 2025 – May 28, 2026
- Seminole County Public Schools: August 11, 2025 – May 27, 2026
- Sumter County School District: August 13, 2025 – June 2, 2026
- Volusia County Schools: August 11, 2025 – May 28, 2026
It is essential for parents and guardians to verify these schedules with their respective school districts, as dates may be subject to change.
New legislation has also been introduced this year, allowing individual school districts to set their own start times, determined by operational costs and the effects on communities and students. These reforms come amidst ongoing discussions about optimizing school functioning and improving student well-being.
In line with ensuring a conducive learning environment, mobile devices will continue to be banned during school hours in elementary and middle schools across Florida. High school students, while permitted to use mobile devices between classes, face restrictions during instructional time unless instructed otherwise by a teacher.
As families prepare for the back-to-school season, they can take advantage of the back-to-school sales tax holiday, which will run from August 1 to August 31, 2025. This tax holiday extends from previous years, allowing families to purchase necessary school supplies and clothing without incurring sales tax. Specific items eligible for the tax exemption will be announced soon by the Florida Department of Revenue.
The back-to-school period is an exciting time for students and their families, marking the beginning of a new journey filled with opportunities for learning and growth. With the new academic calendar set, Central Florida is poised to welcome its students back to the classrooms in just a few short months.
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Additional Resources
- My News 13
- Wikipedia: School Year
- Mommy Poppins
- Google Search: Orlando school calendars 2025
- Spectrum News 1
- Google Scholar: Florida education law
- Click Orlando
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Fox 35 Orlando
- Google News: Florida school start time law
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
