New York City parents may be surprised to learn that their children's school calendars are shorter than they expected. A closer look at the city's education system reveals that the standard school year in NYC is only 180 days, significantly fewer than the 180-190 days typically found in other major US cities. This discrepancy is largely due to the city's unique calendar, which includes six weeks of unpaid leave for teachers and staff, known as "R&R" or "relaxation and recreation" time. As a result, students in NYC spend fewer days in the classroom than their peers in other parts of the country, raising questions about the impact on student learning and achievement.


Why your kid’s NYC school calendar has fewer days than you think  Chalkbeat