Editor's note: This story has been updated on July 29, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. to reflect that Northside ISD students have an 80-day summer break.
For students across the San Antonio area, summer vacation is not the same length everywhere.
Among school districts serving Bexar County, standard summer breaks range from 73 days in South San Antonio ISD to 95 days in Comal ISD, a difference of 22 days. Most districts fall between 75 and 83 days.
The difference is possible because Texas requires districts to provide at least 75,600 operational minutes but does not require every district to follow the same calendar.
Comal schedules the required time within a shorter school-year window. Its students finished classes May 21 and return Aug. 25. The district says its calendar is shaped by input from parents, students, employees and community members.
Return dates vary among other districts, including Northside and South San Antonio on Aug. 10; Boerne and Edgewood on Aug. 11; Harlandale, Judson and San Antonio ISD on Aug. 12; North East on Aug. 17; and Alamo Heights on Aug. 19.
Research on summer breaks has found that academic progress can stall or decline, particularly in math. A 2024 review published in the journal Children also found less physical activity and more sedentary behavior, with some effects more pronounced among children facing socioeconomic disadvantage.
A Brookings Institution review of summer-learning research found that well-designed programs can improve achievement. It also highlighted lower-cost steps families can take at home, including giving children books matched to their interests and reading levels and asking questions before and after they read.
Note: This report is based on school districts’ publicly available standard instructional calendars. Some year-round, early-college, enrichment or partner campuses may follow different schedules. Check your school’s calendar to confirm its return date.
Back-to-school savings
Texas’ annual sales tax holiday runs from Friday, Aug. 7, through midnight Sunday, Aug. 9, just before most area school districts head back to class.
During the holiday, most clothing, footwear, school supplies and student backpacks priced under $100 per item can be purchased tax-free. That includes everyday items such as shirts, pants, dresses, coats, socks, shoes, notebooks, binders, calculators, lunch boxes and backpacks.
The $100 limit applies to each item, not the total purchase. So shoppers can buy several qualifying items even if the full bill adds up to more than $100. Eligible online purchases also qualify.
Items priced at $100 or more, along with many accessories, protective items and specialized athletic gear, remain taxable.
