APS will start school 12 days later in 2019

Superintendent Meria Carstarphen  met students at  Boyd Elementary School on Aug. 1, the first day of school for the 2018-2019 school year.  BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Superintendent Meria Carstarphen met students at Boyd Elementary School on Aug. 1, the first day of school for the 2018-2019 school year. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

It’s official -- Atlanta students will return to school next year 12 days later than they have in recent years.

The Atlanta Board of Education on Monday gave final approval to the school calendars for the next three years. School will begin on Aug. 12 next year, on Aug. 10 in 2020, and Aug. 9 in 2021. 

This year and last, Atlanta Public Schools held the first day of class on Aug. 1.

In each of the three upcoming years, the last day of school will be held before Memorial Day unless bad weather forces the district to schedule make-up days after the holiday.

The district created the calendar after surveying parents, employees and others.

A state senate study committee, meanwhile, is evaluating if Georgia's public school districts can begin the school year later.