When Is Spring Break in Atlanta? Key Dates, Local School Calendars, and Travel Tips

If you’re planning travel, childcare, or local activities, knowing when spring break happens in Atlanta can save you a lot of stress. The catch: there isn’t just one single “Atlanta spring break” date.

Different school systems, colleges, and private schools around metro Atlanta often take spring break on slightly different weeks—usually in March or early April.

Below is a clear breakdown of how spring break typically works in Atlanta, what weeks to expect, and how to double-check dates for your specific situation.

Typical Spring Break Timing in Atlanta

In the Atlanta area, spring break usually falls between late March and mid-April. Most local schools and colleges pick one week off somewhere in that window.

In practice, you’ll usually see:

• Metro Atlanta public K–12 schools:
  Often schedule spring break for the first or second full week of April.
• Colleges and universities in Atlanta:
  Often take spring break earlier than K–12, sometimes in early or mid-March.
• Private/independent schools:
  May follow a similar pattern to public schools but can vary by one or more weeks.

Because of these differences, Atlanta will often have several “mini” spring break waves rather than one single week when everyone is out.

Spring Break for Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and Major Districts

If you have kids in school or are planning around family travel, the most important calendars to check are the big metro Atlanta districts.

Atlanta Public Schools (APS)

For many in-town families, the key question is: “When is spring break for Atlanta Public Schools?”

• APS typically schedules one week in early April as spring break.
• The exact dates change every school year.
• APS publishes calendars well in advance, usually listing:
  • First and last day of school
  • Teacher workdays
  • Holidays and spring break week

To confirm the exact dates for the current school year, you can contact:

Atlanta Public Schools – District Offices
130 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 802-3500

You can also request a printed calendar from your child’s school front office.

Other Large Metro Atlanta School Districts

Even if you live in the City of Atlanta, you might fall into a surrounding county’s school system. Each district sets its own spring break, and they often—but not always—try to line up with each other.

Here’s a general snapshot of how things commonly work:

These patterns can shift year to year, so if you’re coordinating with cousins, friends, or group travel, it’s important to look up each district’s official academic calendar.

How to Find Your Exact Spring Break Week in Atlanta

Because there is no single “Atlanta spring break,” the most reliable step is to check your specific school or institution.

1. For Public K–12 Schools

You can usually confirm dates through:

• District offices (main switchboard / information line)
• School front desk
• Printed school calendars sent home with students

Some key contacts around Atlanta include:

• Fulton County Schools – Administrative Center
  6201 Powers Ferry Rd NW
  Atlanta, GA 30339
  Phone: (470) 254-3600

• DeKalb County School District – Administrative & Instructional Complex
  2023 Westbury Dr
  Decatur, GA 30032
  Phone: (678) 676-1200

• Cobb County School District – Central Office
  514 Glover St SE
  Marietta, GA 30060
  Phone: (770) 426-3300

• Gwinnett County Public Schools – Instructional Support Center
  437 Old Peachtree Rd NW
  Suwanee, GA 30024
  Phone: (678) 301-6000

If you’re unsure which district you’re in, your home address will usually determine it. District offices can help you confirm your zoned school and calendar.

2. For Private and Independent Schools in Atlanta

Private schools around Atlanta—such as those in Buckhead, Midtown, Decatur, and the northern suburbs—often publish annual academic calendars that include:

• Start and end of each term
• Winter and spring breaks
• Long weekends and teacher workdays

Spring break for private schools may:

• Match the big public districts, or
• Be offset by a week or two (for travel or scheduling reasons)

To confirm, contact the school directly via its main office or admissions line. If you’re arranging childcare or camps, ask whether the program follows:

• APS calendar
• A specific county calendar
• Its own internal calendar

3. For Colleges and Universities in Atlanta

Atlanta is home to several major colleges and universities, and each sets its own academic calendar and spring break week.

In many years, college spring breaks fall earlier than K–12—often in early to mid-March.

Common patterns:

• Georgia State University (Downtown Atlanta)
  Typically schedules a one-week spring break in March.

• Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech, Midtown)
  Also tends to have a March spring break, which might not align with the public school systems.

• Emory University (Druid Hills area)
  Usually has a March spring recess, often different from APS.

• Atlanta University Center schools (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College)
  Generally hold spring break in March, but exact weeks vary.

If you’re planning travel with a college student or timing internships, the safest move is to:

• Check the school’s official academic calendar for the current year, or
• Call the registrar’s office or student services office.

How Spring Break Affects Life in Atlanta

Knowing when spring break hits Atlanta is useful even if you’re not in school. It can affect:

1. Traffic and Commuting

• When APS and other big districts are out, morning and afternoon traffic around school zones often eases.
• However, airports and major highways (especially I-75, I-85, and I-285) can be busier on weekends at the start and end of spring break weeks.

2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

During peak spring break weeks:

• Security lines can be longer than usual, especially early mornings and Sundays.
• It’s wise to arrive earlier than you typically would for domestic flights.
• Parking garages and economy lots may fill up more quickly.

If you’re dropping off or picking up students, factor in extra time for airport traffic.

3. Local Attractions and Events

Many local families skip leaving town and instead enjoy “staycation” spring breaks in Atlanta. This can mean:

• Busier attractions like Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Atlanta Botanical Garden during daytime hours.
• More kids and teens at city parks, BeltLine segments, and popular shopping areas such as Atlantic Station and Lenox Square.

If you prefer smaller crowds, try to:

• Visit major attractions early in the morning
• Avoid the middle of spring break weeks when multiple districts are out at once

Planning Childcare and Camps Around Spring Break

For many Atlanta families, the biggest concern isn’t just when spring break is, but what to do with kids that week.

Spring Break Camps and Programs

Around metro Atlanta, many organizations offer week-long spring break camps, including:

• Recreation centers operated by City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
• YMCA branches and community centers
• Museums and cultural centers that run STEM, art, or sports programs

Camp schedules generally follow:

• APS or the major county calendars, or
• A week advertised as “Spring Break Camp” tied to their local district

If your kids attend a different district than where you live or work, confirm:

• Which week the camp runs
• Whether it matches your child’s actual spring break

If You’re Visiting Atlanta During Spring Break

If you’re traveling to Atlanta and wondering “When is spring break in Atlanta?” to plan your visit:

• Expect higher hotel demand and more visitors on weekends around late March and early April, when families from Georgia and neighboring states are off.
• Major attractions can be more crowded mid-day, especially if APS and several counties are on break at the same time.
• Restaurant waits may be longer in busy areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, and around the Battery during those peak weeks.

To make your trip smoother:

• Consider weekday visits for top attractions.
• Make dining reservations where possible.
• Allow extra time if you’re heading to or from Hartsfield-Jackson on typical “turnover” days (often Friday–Sunday).

Quick Recap: How to Figure Out Your Atlanta Spring Break Week

Use this checklist to pinpoint when spring break is for your situation:

1. Identify your school or institution.

   • APS, a county district, a private school, or a college/university.

2. Check the official academic calendar.

   • Look for “Spring Break” or “Spring Recess” listed as a full week.

3. Note that timing typically falls:

   • Public K–12: First or second full week of April
   • Colleges/Universities: Often early–mid March
   • Private Schools: Usually March or April, may or may not match APS

4. If planning travel, childcare, or a visit to Atlanta:

   • Expect more activity from late March through mid-April.
   • Adjust timing to avoid or take advantage of the spring break crowds, depending on your plans.

By checking the right calendar for your school or institution, you’ll know exactly when spring break is in Atlanta for you and can plan your schedule, trips, and activities with much more confidence.