Most schools in the U.S. do not have classes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but the only way to know for sure is to check your specific school or district calendar.

What usually happens on MLK Day

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday, observed on the third Monday in January each year.
  • Because it is a federal holiday, most public K–12 schools and many colleges close for the day.
  • Some private or charter schools might still have classes or special events, so policies can differ.

How to know if you have school

  • Look at your school or district’s official academic calendar on its website (often under “Calendar” or “Important Dates”).
  • Check recent emails, texts, or app notifications from your school, which often remind families about closures.
  • If you still aren’t sure, ask the main office or a teacher directly, since they follow that exact calendar.

Extra context and “latest news”

  • In recent years, there has been more attention on using MLK Day as a “day of service,” with schools encouraging volunteering or community projects instead of regular classes.
  • Discussions online sometimes mention staff trainings or professional development happening on MLK Day even when students stay home, so teachers may still be working while students are off.

TL;DR: Most students get MLK Day off, but policies vary, so check your own school’s calendar or messages to be 100% sure.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.