Chicago releases 2019-20 school calendar, says first day of school will be Sept. 3

As parents start planning summer camp and vacations, here’s something that will help: Chicago just released its public school calendar for the 2019-20 school year. That’s considered early — prior to 2018, the calendar wasn’t public until April.

School will start back on Sept. 3, the last day of school before winter break will be December 20, and spring break will be the week of April 6, 2020.

In the first year of her administration, schools chief Janice Jackson prioritized releasing public information earlier than prior years, when a revolving door of CEOs and a state budget impasse prompted delays. Last spring, for example, Jackson delivered principals their budgets for the 2018-19 school year in April and based calculations on current year enrollment. That was a welcome departure from the previous school year, when principals didn’t receive budgets until July and had to later give up money if fewer children showed up in the fall.

See the full calendar below.