When Is Spring Break for New York City Public Schools in 2026?

If you’re planning your spring schedule (or trying to forecast when substitute jobs may slow down), NYC’s official school calendar is the cleanest source of truth.

When is spring break for NYC public schools in 2026?

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Spring Recess is Thursday, April 2 through Friday, April 10, 2026. 

That means New York schools are closed to students for those dates, and most families experience it like an “11-day runway” when you include the weekends on both ends (the weekend before April 2, and the weekend after April 10).

How long is New York City Public School spring break 2026?

On the calendar, the NYC Public School Spring Break it’s 7 school days off (Thu 4/2 through Fri 4/10). 

In real life, it usually feels longer because it’s bracketed by weekends.

Picture a weekly grid:

• School is in session: Monday–Wednesday of that week

• Spring Recess: Thursday–Friday (then continues through the next week)

• Return to normal: the Monday after the recess ends (typically)

Does every NYC school follow the same spring break dates?

NYCPS district schools (3-K through grade 12) follow the NYCPS calendar. 

But charter schools, private/parochial schools, and some early childhood programs can run different calendars, even if they often align closely. The NYCPS calendar itself explicitly notes that other school types may differ. 

What spring break means for substitute teachers in NYC

Spring break is one of those predictable “dips” in day-to-day coverage needs. If you want to stay busy, think of it like surfing a wave:

• Before recess: more planned absences, testing-related coverage, and last-minute gaps

• During recess: fewer assignments (many buildings are closed)

• After recess: a spike as routines restart and people catch colds, travel fatigue, etc.

If you’re using SubstituteTeacher.com, it’s smart to check and line up work the week before and the week after Spring Recess, since those are often the most active windows around the break.

Date disclaimer:

Spring break dates can change, and some schools (especially charter, private, and early childhood programs) may follow a different calendar than the main district. Always confirm the latest dates directly on your school or district’s official calendar before making plans.

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