Welcome to a year of inspiration at the Columbia County School District! As we continue our ‘Inspire’ campaign, our mission remains focused on engaging, enriching, and inspiring every student, every day. The 2024-2025 academic calendar is your essential roadmap for this journey—from the first bell on August 8 to the final celebrations on May 21. Whether you are planning around our Fall Break or tracking professional learning days, this guide ensures your family stays synchronized with our district’s commitment to educational excellence and student success.
Key Dates
In the County School Calendar, Columbia County has shown thoughtfulness in constructing a successful school year in the following manner:
First Day of School: Students get back into classrooms at the beginning of August, which ends up being a really exciting new school year.
Last Day of School: The school year closes in late May, full of student successes and growth.
Progress Reports and Report Cards: Ongoing scheduled communications keep families current about present achievements and areas for improvement.
Parent-Teacher Conferences: A time when parents and teachers can share strategies that will help the students be successful and also discuss concerns.
Holidays and Breaks
The calendar includes essential holidays and breaks, which provide time for students and staff to rest and rejuvenate:
Labor Day: A long weekend in early September to start the school year with a well-deserved break.
Thanksgiving Break: A week-long break in late November for families to enjoy the holiday season together.
Winter Break: Two weeks during December and early January to account for festivities and rest.
Spring Break: A week in March to offer a mid-semester break.
Memorial Day: Late May, to remember those who served the nation and as a day of reflection.
All these breaks help maintain balance throughout the year for better well-being.
Teacher Workdays
Purpose: Teacher workdays are used for professional development, curriculum planning, and preparation for effective instruction.
Impact: These days ensure educators are equipped with the tools and strategies needed to support student success.
Teacher workdays are necessary to maintain high standards of education and foster continuous improvement.
Early Release Days
Details: Students leave school early, allowing teachers collaboration time, training, and planning.
Parental Guidance: Families need to make arrangements for child care or activities on these days.
Early release days afford educators an opportunity to engage in instructional improvement while minimizing the impact on the school calendar.
Special Events and Activities
Columbia County schools also provide a range of activities and events that serve to complement the academic aspects:
Competitions: Various sports activities to keep children fit, express teamwork, and develop school spirit.
Art and Music Performances: The kids get ample opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity.
STEM Fairs: Encouraging innovation and critical thinking in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Community Service Projects: Building and strengthening relationships between the schools and the surrounding community.
The events provide opportunities for the students to build up some skill or the other, discover their latent interests, and enjoy the company of other children.
Emergency Closures and Makeup Days
Closures: In the event of inclement weather or other emergencies, families will be promptly contacted.
Makeup Days: These reserved days in the calendar allow any lost instructional time to be recovered to maintain consistency in learning.
The provided plans enable assurance that the school year will stay on track despite the unforeseen interruptions.
High School Milestones: Exams & Graduation
For middle and high school families, the 2024–2025 calendar revolves around the mastery of curriculum and the celebration of final achievements. These windows are often accompanied by adjusted schedules and “Early Release” windows.
Semester Exam Windows
To ensure students have dedicated time for comprehensive testing, Columbia County Schools typically utilizes early dismissal days for final exams.
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First Semester Exams: Conducted in mid-December (specifically December 16–19, 2024). These dates are critical for completing the first half of the academic year before the Winter Break.
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Second Semester Exams: Held during the final week of school (May 19–21, 2025). Success on these exams is often a requirement for course credit and grade promotion.
Class of 2025 Graduation
The culmination of the 2024–2025 school year is graduation week. For the Class of 2025, ceremonies for our major high schools are historically held at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center or Evans Towne Center Park.
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Primary Graduation Date: Most high school ceremonies (including Evans High) are scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
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Summer Commencement: For students completing requirements over the summer, a supplemental ceremony is typically held in late June.
Senior “Final Countdown”
Graduating seniors follow a unique timeline during their final month. While underclassmen continue through May 21, seniors often wrap up their final testing and checkout procedures by mid-May to allow for graduation rehearsals and senior honors nights. Families are encouraged to check their specific school’s “Senior Letter” for exact deadlines regarding cap and gown distribution and final fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the school year start and end in Columbia County?
It starts in early August and concludes in late May.
Where can I find the Columbia County school calendar?
They are also available on the official website for the Columbia County School District or at your child’s school.
What are Teacher Workdays?
The days are used for teacher professional development, lesson planning, and updating the curriculum.
Are early release days in the calendar?
Yes, early release days are scheduled to provide time for teachers to have training in services and collaboration.
What holidays are part of the Columbia County school calendar?
This would include holidays such as Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Memorial Day.
What about on days the schools are closed for an emergency?
The district makes up for lost instructional time by using designated makeup days when schools are closed.
The Columbia County School Calendar for 2024-2025 presents a balanced year that integrates learning, breaks, and enrichment to make the school experience rewarding and successful for students, their families, and staff.