Why do Houston area schools start in early August? (Conroe: school districts, college)

[jphripjah]

I'm considering a move to the Houston area and noticed that, for example, Conroe and Montgomery ISD start classes around August 9-10 and then finish around Memorial Day.

Houston ISD starts and finishes a few weeks later.

I grew up in New England, school was generally from around Labor Day until late June.

I was just wondering why school districts in the Houston area would choose to go back in early to mid-August. Isn't that some of the hottest/worst weather of the year? Why do parents/teachers commit themselves to being in the area in early to mid-August instead of starting and ending the school calendar a few weeks later?

[lotophage]

I think the Texas school year is based roughly around the summer harvest season. I think wheat has to come up early in June because of the heat.

[mkwensky]

I think all the western states have similarly early summer schedules. The East Coast is more of an outlier in this.

[Watchful]

In my experience ...it's several things.

1 - Air conditioning. In my younger years I went to school in Houston and some of the buildings still did not have a/c. We would open the windows. A/C made it easier to start earlier.

2 - Finishing the semester before winter break. When we started later, we would get two weeks off around Christmas and New Year and then have to come back and prepare for the mid-term exams. When the start was moved up, we finished mid-terms before winter break.

3 - I think finishing school year in May makes it easier for graduating seniors who may wish to start summer classes for college.

If I recall correctly, the travel and tourism industry squawked the most about starting earlier!

[jphripjah]

Originally Posted by lotophage

I think the Texas school year is based roughly around the summer harvest season. I think wheat has to come up early in June because of the heat.

Ah that's interesting. Thanks.

[jphripjah]

Originally Posted by Watchful

In my experience ...it's several things.

1 - Air conditioning. In my younger years I went to school in Houston and some of the buildings still did not have a/c. We would open the windows. A/C made it easier to start earlier.

2 - Finishing the semester before winter break. When we started later, we would get two weeks off around Christmas and New Year and then have to come back and prepare for the mid-term exams. When the start was moved up, we finished mid-terms before winter break.

3 - I think finishing school year in May makes it easier for graduating seniors who may wish to start summer classes for college.

If I recall correctly, the travel and tourism industry squawked the most about starting earlier!

Thank you. Why was the travel and tourism industry opposed to the early start?

[WRM20]

Originally Posted by jphripjah

Thank you. Why was the travel and tourism industry opposed to the early start?

When school starts earlier, families don't travel as much.

[elnina]

Back-to-school dates in the US, vary considerably by state and region.

Generally it looks like this: (there could be slight changes implemented after pandemic, thought)


Explained why here:
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-re...ool-dates-u-s/

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by elnina

Back-to-school dates in the US, vary considerably by state and region.

Generally it looks like this: (there could be slight changes implemented after pandemic, thought)


Explained why here:
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-re...ool-dates-u-s/

Seems that the northern/New England and PNW states generally start later - probably due to the weather. Want to take advantage of all the warm weather you can up there.

[Watchful]

Originally Posted by jphripjah

Thank you. Why was the travel and tourism industry opposed to the early start?

They wanted more time for vacations and family travel I guess! I never really understood it though because you would lose a few weeks of travel time either way!