It’s the start of July, which means it’s time to talk about, yes, the start of the new school year.

For some metro Atlanta students, the first day of school is in just four weeks.

Georgia starts back sooner for several reasons. The earlier school starting times enable all end-of-the-semester testing to finish up before children depart for the Christmas break.

School calendars fall under local control. Many Georgia districts follow a balanced calendar, which features a nine-week summer and weeklong breaks in the fall and February, along with a week at Thanksgiving, two at Christmas and the traditional April spring break.

Below are the start dates for metro Atlanta’s districts.

Tuesday, July 30: Decatur, Rockdale

Thursday, Aug. 1: Atlanta Public Schools, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Douglas, Henry, Forsyth and Marietta.

Friday, Aug. 2: Buford

Monday, Aug. 5: DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett

About the Author

Keep Reading

Students at Carver Early College School of Technology attend the school’s art class on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Atlanta Public Schools plans to convert the campus to a school of the arts that will serve grades 6-12. The plan depends on voters extending a one-cent sales tax for education. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller

Featured

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies before a state Senate committee at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC