School will start Aug. 8 under 2024-25 calendar approved by Rapides Parish School Board
Parents or guardians were the biggest group voting on two choices for the 2024-25 school calendar, followed by employees, and they favored an option recommended by Superintendent Jeff Powell's administration.
So the Rapides Parish School Board unanimously voted for Option A during its Feb. 6 regular meeting.
That means students will start school Aug. 8, three days after teachers officially return to work.
Bolton Academy update: Report shows 344 Rapides Parish students have applied for new Bolton Academy
Option A or B? Public will be asked to vote on choices for Rapides schools' new calendar
Almost 70% of respondents, 69.47% or 1,504 people, picked Option A. Of those responding to the survey, 1,027 (47.31%) were parents and/or guardians. Another 38.69% (840 people) were school district employees.
Just 167 respondents, or 7.69%, were students. Last among the respondents were community members at 6.31%, or 137 people.
Other notes from the new calendar:
Schools will close Nov. 5 for the presidential election, then will close again the next Monday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.
The first semester ends Dec. 20, the last day of classes before the Christmas break.
Students report back to class Jan. 8, 2025, after two teacher professional development days after the holiday break.
At the request of board member Wilton Barrios, the traditional two-day Mardi Gras break will be split in March 2025. One day will be for Mardi Gras, while the second day will observe Presidents Day.
Easter break 2025 will be April 18-25.
The last day of school for seniors will be May 8, 2025. The last day for other students will be May 22, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Rapides School Board approves calendar with Aug. 8 start date
