Indiana School Calendar 2026-2027

Indiana's public school system is overseen by the Indiana Department of Education and serves students across approximately 290 school corporations and charter schools. The state requires 180 instructional days, and most Indiana districts begin the academic year in early-to-mid August, reflecting a regional trend toward earlier starts that allows the first semester to conclude before winter break. Indiana has been an active state in education reform, having introduced one of the nation's first large-scale school voucher programs — the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program — which provides public funding for eligible students to attend private schools. The state administers the ILEARN assessment in spring for grades 3 through 8, measuring proficiency in English language arts and mathematics, as well as the IREAD-3 assessment for third-grade reading. Indiana also uses the SAT as its high school accountability assessment, making it one of a small number of states to do so. School calendar specifics vary by corporation: Indianapolis Public Schools and other urban districts may schedule additional professional development days or observe local holidays not observed statewide. Indiana's academic calendar typically includes a Thanksgiving break, a winter break in late December, and a spring break in late March or early April. Families should verify exact dates with their local school corporation.