When Does School Start in Atlanta? A Local Guide for Families

If you live in Atlanta or are moving here soon, “When does school start in Atlanta?” is usually one of the first questions you’ll ask. The answer depends on which school district your child attends, because the Atlanta area includes multiple systems with slightly different calendars.

This guide focuses on Atlanta, Georgia, and walks through:

• Typical back-to-school dates in Atlanta
• Differences between Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and nearby districts
• How start dates work for public, charter, private, and colleges
• Where to check the current year’s calendar
• Practical tips for planning around Atlanta’s school year

Key Takeaway: Atlanta School Start Dates at a Glance

Exact dates change every year, but in metro Atlanta, most public schools start in early August.

Here’s a general pattern for the traditional K–12 public school year in and around the City of Atlanta:

*Always confirm the current year’s calendar, as dates shift slightly each year.

How the School Calendar Works in Atlanta

1. Atlanta Public Schools (APS)

If your child attends school within the City of Atlanta, they are likely in Atlanta Public Schools (APS).

Typical APS pattern:

• First day of school:
  Usually falls in the first or second week of August.
• Last day of school:
  Generally in late May.
• Breaks:
  • Short fall break (often in September or October)
  • Thanksgiving break (full week in many years)
  • Winter break (late December to early January)
  • Spring break (usually early April)

APS usually releases its calendar at least several months in advance, so families can plan around camps, travel, and childcare.

Where to confirm APS start dates:

• Atlanta Public Schools – District Office
  130 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: (404) 802-3500

You can also call your individual school’s front office, especially if you need details about open house, orientation, or staggered start days for kindergarten or pre-K.

2. Other Public School Districts Around Atlanta

Many families who say they “live in Atlanta” actually live in nearby areas with Atlanta mailing addresses but are zoned for other districts.

Common ones include:

• Fulton County Schools (North and South Fulton outside APS boundaries)
• DeKalb County School District
• Cobb County School District
• Clayton County Public Schools
• Gwinnett County Public Schools

These districts also typically start in early August, but their exact first day can differ from APS by a few days.

If you live near the city limits, it’s important not to assume you’re in APS. Instead:

• Check your property tax bill, zoning info, or your lease documents, or

• Use the “Find My School” or attendance zone tool on your district’s website, or

• Call the district office:

  • Fulton County Schools – (470) 254-3600
  • DeKalb County School District – (678) 676-1200
  • Cobb County School District – (770) 426-3300
  • Clayton County Public Schools – (770) 473-2700
  • Gwinnett County Public Schools – (678) 301-6000

Charter, Magnet, and Specialized Public Schools in Atlanta

Atlanta has a number of charter schools and specialized programs within APS and nearby districts. Examples include:

• Neighborhood-based APS charter schools
• State charter schools that draw from multiple counties
• Magnet programs focused on STEM, the arts, or language immersion

Do these schools start on the same day?

Often, yes, but not always.

• Many APS charter schools follow the district calendar.
• Some state or independent charter schools set their own start dates, which might still fall in early August but could be a few days earlier or later.

If your child attends a charter or magnet school, always check:

• The school’s own academic calendar
• Any orientation, bridge programs, or summer intensives that begin before the official first day

Private and Faith-Based Schools in Atlanta

Atlanta has a large number of independent, private, and faith-based schools, especially in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, Southwest Atlanta, and surrounding suburbs.

When do private schools start?

Private schools in Atlanta generally:

• Also start in early or mid-August
• Sometimes begin a little later than APS (for example, second or third week of August)
• May follow a slightly different pattern for breaks and holidays

Because each private school sets its own calendar, the best way to find out when school starts is to:

• Check the school’s published calendar
• Call the main office or admissions office
• Look for emails or mailed back-to-school packets

Private schools may also have:

• Separate start days for new students vs. returning students
• Staggered starts for preschool and kindergarten
• Required orientation days shortly before the first day of classes

Colleges and Universities in Atlanta

If you’re asking “When does school start in Atlanta?” about college, the answer is different from K–12.

Major Atlanta-area colleges include:

• Georgia State University (Downtown Atlanta)
• Georgia Tech (Midtown Atlanta)
• Emory University (Druid Hills area)
• Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta University Center)

Typical college start times in Atlanta:

• Fall semester:
  Usually begins in mid- to late August.
• Spring semester:
  Typically starts in early to mid-January.
• Some colleges also offer short Maymester or summer terms.

Each campus has:

• A published academic calendar listing first day of classes, move-in dates, and orientation
• Separate dates for graduate programs, professional schools, or online programs

If you’re planning housing, work schedules, or travel around a college student’s calendar, rely on the university’s official dates, not K–12 calendars.

How to Find the Exact Start Date for Your Atlanta School

Because start dates change year to year, the most reliable way to know when school starts in Atlanta is to look up your specific school or district.

Here are practical steps:

1. Identify your school district

   • Look at your address and confirm whether you’re in APS or another county system.
   • If you’re unsure, call your county’s main school district office.

2. Check the current academic calendar

   • Search for the “Academic Calendar” or “School Calendar” section for APS or your district.
   • Note both the first day for students and the last day of school.

3. Confirm grade-level details

   • Some schools do phased starts for pre-K, kindergarten, and 9th grade.
   • Look for notes like: “Kindergarten only attends on assigned day during the first week.”

4. Ask about special programs

   • If your child is in special education, gifted, ESOL, or career/technical programs, check for any early orientation or separate start times.

5. Call if anything is unclear

   • School front offices in Atlanta are used to questions about calendars and can clarify things like:
     • Bus schedules
     • Before- and after-school care start dates
     • Open house times

Planning Around Back-to-School in Atlanta

1. Traffic and Commute

When Atlanta schools start back:

• Rush hour gets noticeably heavier, especially on major arteries like I-75/85, I-20, I-285, Peachtree Street, and Northside Drive.
• School zones around APS and nearby districts become busy with buses and parent drop-off lines.

If you commute in or around Atlanta:

• Expect heavier traffic starting the first week of August.
• Build in extra time if your route passes near schools.

2. Registration and Enrollment Timelines

If you’re new to Atlanta or changing schools:

• Registration often opens in late spring or early summer.
• For APS and most public districts, it’s best to complete registration at least a few weeks before the first day of school.

You may need:

• Proof of residency (lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill)
• Birth certificate
• Immunization records on Georgia forms
• Prior school records or report cards

APS and other districts usually provide in-person help at their enrollment or student services offices if you’re unsure what’s required.

3. Open House, Meet-the-Teacher, and Orientation

In Atlanta, public and private schools typically host:

• Open house or meet-the-teacher nights a few days before school starts
• Orientation programs for:
  • Pre-K and kindergarten
  • 6th graders entering middle school
  • 9th graders entering high school

These events are important for:

• Getting class schedules
• Learning about bus routes and carpool procedures
• Dropping off school supplies
• Meeting teachers and administrators

Exact dates are set by each school, even when they share a district calendar.

For Visitors and Part-Time Residents in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta or staying here temporarily and wondering when school is in session:

• Expect school to be in session from early August through late May.
• Major breaks (when traffic patterns and crowd levels shift) generally occur:
  • Thanksgiving week
  • Late December to early January (winter break)
  • One week in early spring (spring break, dates vary by district)

Museums, attractions, and parks in Atlanta can feel busier during school breaks, especially when multiple districts share the same weeks off.

Quick Checklist: Answering “When Does School Start in Atlanta?” for Your Situation

✅ Living inside the City of Atlanta, zoned for APS?
→ Your child’s school likely starts in early August. Confirm dates through Atlanta Public Schools or your school’s calendar.

✅ Atlanta address, but in another county (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett)?
→ Start date is also usually early August, but can differ by a few days. Check your specific county district calendar.

✅ Charter or magnet school in the Atlanta area?
→ Dates may follow APS/your district or be slightly different. Check the school’s own website or office.

✅ Private or faith-based school in Atlanta?
→ Start dates range from early to mid-August. Each school sets its own calendar.

✅ College student in Atlanta?
→ Expect fall classes to begin mid- to late August and spring classes in January. Check the university academic calendar.

By confirming your district, school type, and specific campus, you can find the exact first day of school in Atlanta for your family and plan your year with fewer surprises.