Welcome to a new year of excellence at Indianapolis Public Schools! As we continue our mission to empower every student to reach their full potential, staying organized is the key to a successful journey. The 2024-2025 IPS academic calendar is your essential roadmap, highlighting the path from the first bell on August 1 to the final celebrations in May. Whether you’re planning around fall break or looking ahead to graduation, this guide ensures your family is synchronized with every milestone in our district’s pursuit of academic growth and racial equity.
Key Academic Dates
The IPS school calendar for 2024-2025 is designed to take students through a successful year:
First Day of School: The new academic year begins in early August when students, fresh from their summer breaks, get ready to take on newer challenges and opportunities.
Last Day of School: The school year closes in late May, ending another chapter in their education.
Progress Reports and Report Cards: Progress reports and report cards are issued regularly during the school year to apprise families of the progress being made and what might require attention.
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parents and teachers meet to develop strategies that help improve performance in an effort to realize academic growth for all students.
Holidays and Breaks
The IPS calendar includes several holidays and breaks to give students and staff time to recharge. Some of these include:
Labor Day: A long weekend in early September is the first holiday of the school year.
Fall Break: A short break in mid-October gives students a rest and a time to reset for the second half of the semester.
Thanksgiving Break: A multi-day break in late November gives time for family gatherings and reflection.
Winter Break: This is a two-week holiday break in late December through early January, which ensures ample time for celebrations and relaxation.
Spring Break: A week-long pause in March offers students and staff a chance to rejuvenate mid-semester.
Memorial Day: Observed in late May, this holiday honors those who served the nation and provides a long weekend just before the school year ends.
These holidays and breaks are placed in strategic positions to balance academic rigor with rest and rejuvenation.
Teacher Workdays
Purpose: Teacher workdays are granted for professional development, lesson planning, and updating curriculum.
Impact: These days keep educators prepared and equipped to provide high-quality instruction that supports student success.
Teacher workdays are essential to uphold the standard of excellence in IPS schools.
Early Release Days
Information: On early release days, students are released early to give the teachers time for planning, training, and collaboration.
Parental Guidance: Families should make their plans for after-school care or activities with these adjusted schedules in mind.
These days help ensure that teachers have the time to improve instruction without breaking up the total school schedule.
Special Events and Activities
Throughout the year, IPS schools encourage many activities to further enhance student experiences: sports competitions in physical fitness, teamwork, and school pride; art and music performances in showcasing talents; STEM fairs, which provide an opportunity for innovation and enhancement of problem-solving skills in science, technology, engineering, and math; and community service projects that strengthen relationships between the schools and their communities with worthwhile initiatives.
These help them acquire new skills, develop new interests, and lifetime memories.
Emergency Closures and Makeup Days
Closures: Whenever an emergency such as due to bad weather or any other unforeseen cause closes the school, on-time information regarding the same is communicated to the families.
Makeup Days: The lost time for instruction is made up on reserved days in the calendar.
The purpose of these strategies is to minimize disruption during the academic session while maintaining continuity in learning.
The “Rebuilding Stronger” Transformation
The 2024-2025 school year marks a historic milestone for Indianapolis Public Schools as the district fully implements its “Rebuilding Stronger” initiative. This plan isn’t just about scheduling; it’s a comprehensive redesign of our schools to ensure every student—regardless of their zip code—has access to high-quality academic and extracurricular programs.
Grade Reconfiguration & Specialized Programs
Starting this year, IPS has moved toward a more traditional grade structure to better serve student development. You will notice these shifts reflected in your student’s daily and weekly schedule:
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K-5 Elementary Schools: By shifting away from the K-8 model in district-run schools, IPS can now provide every elementary student with “specials” like art, music, physical education, and computer science.
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Standalone 6-8 Middle Schools: The creation of dedicated middle schools allows for expanded offerings, including algebra for 8th graders, world languages, and a 111% increase in middle school athletic participation compared to previous years.
New Enrollment Zones
To promote racial equity and reduce student mobility, the district has introduced four new enrollment zones. This change simplifies the school choice process, ensuring that families have access to specialized models—such as Montessori, Center for Inquiry (CFI), STEM, and International Baccalaureate—within their own geographic area. This geographic grouping also helps streamline transportation and community resources.
Facility & Academic Upgrades
As part of this transformation, IPS is investing in the “whole child” experience:
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Pre-K Expansion: More elementary sites now offer free Pre-K, providing an earlier start to the academic journey.
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STEM & Robotics: Through initiatives like “Destination 2032,” enrollment in STEM programs has more than doubled, supported by new facilities and high-tech learning spaces.
By aligning our calendar with these structural changes, IPS is ensuring that every instructional minute is used to build a stronger, more equitable future for our city’s youth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the school year start and stop for IPS?
The school year in IPS starts in early August and ends at the end of May.
Where would I find a complete IPS school calendar?
You can find the complete calendar on the official website for Indianapolis Public Schools or through your child’s school.
What is the purpose of teacher workdays?
Teacher workdays are used for professional development, lesson planning, and instructional improvements.
Are there early release days included in the schedule?
Yes, early release days are included to provide teachers with time for training and collaboration.
What holidays are included in the IPS school calendar?
Holidays include but are not limited to Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Memorial Day.
What happens in case of emergency closures?
Designated makeup days are used to ensure students recover lost instructional time while maintaining academic standards.
The IPS Calendar 2024-2025 represents a planned academic school year that focuses on a fair mixture of learning and breaks with special activities to engage students, families, and educators in the most fulfilling way possible.