Most students in the U.S. do not have school on Presidents Day, but it is not guaranteed everywhere and depends on your specific school or district calendar.

Quick Scoop: Is There School on Presidents Day?

Presidents Day (officially Washington’s Birthday) is a federal holiday on the third Monday in February, and many public schools treat it as a day off. However, each state, district, and private school can set its own calendar, so some schools stay open or use it as a teacher workday or snow make‑up day.

In plain terms: most students get a three‑day weekend, but not everyone.

How It Usually Works

  • Many K–12 public schools close for Presidents Day as a regular holiday.
  • Some districts build it into a longer “midwinter break” (for example, New York City schools take the whole week off around Presidents Day).
  • A minority of districts keep school in session, especially where they need extra instructional days or make‑up time.
  • Private schools and charter schools often follow local public‑school calendars but can choose to stay open.
  • Colleges and universities frequently close or cancel classes, but policies vary by campus.

An example: guidance for 2026 notes that most K–12 public schools and many colleges will close on Presidents Day, while emphasizing that families must still confirm with their local school.

Why It Varies

Different places treat Presidents Day differently because school calendars are set locally, not by the federal government. Factors can include:

  • State or district tradition (some always close, others rarely do).
  • Weather make‑up needs (snow‑belt districts sometimes use the day if they’ve lost too many days earlier).
  • Whether the district prefers a longer winter break or to keep more days in session during February.

So you’ll see one nearby county off for the holiday while another has a normal school day, even within the same state.

How To Check Your School (Step‑by‑Step)

Use this quick checklist to get a clear answer for your own situation:

  1. Look up your district’s official calendar on its website; holidays and breaks are usually listed clearly by date.
  1. Check recent emails, texts, or app notifications from your school for any holiday reminders or changes.
  1. If it’s still unclear, call the school’s main office during business hours and ask whether classes are in session on Presidents Day.
  1. Local news sites or district social‑media pages sometimes post “What’s open and closed on Presidents Day” lists that include schools.

Quick view: Typical School Status on Presidents Day

[5][1] [5][1] [3][5]
Type of school Typical status on Presidents Day
Public K–12 schools Usually closed, but some districts stay open or use it as a make‑up day; always check your local calendar.
Private & charter schools Often follow public‑school holidays, but can choose to be open or closed independently.
Colleges & universities Many cancel classes for the day or treat it as a short break, but policies vary by campus.

Mini TL;DR

Most schools are closed on Presidents Day, but not all, and there’s no single national rule—check your own school or district calendar to be sure.

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