Editor’s note: This is a continuation of RRC Associate’s examination of school vacation patterns. Read “School vacation schedules and leisure demand.”
BOULDER, Colorado—Continuing our analysis of upcoming school schedule patterns, this article looks ahead to school vacation patterns for the 2012/2013 academic year, based on the preliminary results of RRC’s annual school-break research.
Results are based on an RRC compilation of school vacation dates for a sample of 163 U.S. school districts and 196 universities that have published their 2012/2013 academic calendars to date.
Start of fall semester 2012
School districts
Most school districts will commence fall 2012 classes between Monday, 13 August and Monday 27 August, similar to 2011. However, preliminary results indicate a shift to somewhat later start dates in fall 2012. Approximately 15% more school districts will still be on summer vacation during the 20-27 August period in 2012 than during 2011—highlighting that week as a potential opportunity for increased family leisure business in 2012 than in 2011.
Universities
Most universities will start their fall 2012 semesters on Monday, 20 August or Monday, 27 August, similar to 2011. Comparing year-over-year patterns, a somewhat decreased share will be in session before 27 August (suggesting potential opportunities for increased leisure business among university students and employees in that time), while a somewhat increased share will be in session starting 27 August and continuing through 20 September.
Winter break 2012/2013
School districts
Winter breaks, typically two weeks in length for most districts, will shift markedly later in 2012/2013 than in 2011/2012, influenced by the timing of Christmas day (Tuesday in 2012 vs. Sunday in 2011). In particular, a notably lower share of districts will commence winter vacations during the 15-22 December period in 2012/2013 than 2011/2012, while a higher share will end their winter vacations during the 31 December 31-6 January period, as illustrated in the graph below.
Universities
Like school districts, universities will exhibit a similar shift to later winter breaks in 2012/2013 than 2011/2012. This is again linked to the timing of Christmas day, as well as the fact that Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed later in 2013 (21 January 2013) than 2012 (16 January 2012).
Spring break 2013
School districts
Easter Sunday will shift earlier in 2013 (31 March) relative to 2012 (8 April). An increased proportion of school districts will shift their spring breaks accordingly to overlap with Easter weekend. The net effect of the earlier Easter holiday will be a compression of school district spring break vacations, with an increased proportion of districts on break over the 23-31 March period, and a decreased share on break before 23 March and after 31 March in 2013 relative to the 2012 period.
Universities
A modest proportion of universities will shift their spring breaks in 2013 so as to overlap with Easter weekend. However, the period of 9-17 March will continue to be the dominant spring break period for universities.
Start of summer vacation 2013
School districts
School districts will commence summer vacation in largely similar fashion in 2013 as in 2012, with most commencing vacations during a three-week period between 22 May and 8 June. Year-over-year shifts between 2012 and 2013 appear likely to be modest.
Universities
Overall, universities will commence summer vacation somewhat later in 2013 as in 2012, particularly in the first half of May, when roughly 5% to 10% more universities will still be in session in 2013 than 2012.
Again, school vacation schedules represent a valuable planning tool for anticipating and capitalizing on leisure market opportunities around key holiday periods. RRC will continue to update its 2012/2013 school break database as calendars are published later this spring, with final reporting anticipated to be available in May.
Read last week’s article on the 2011/2012 academic year.
Note: Final 2011/12 and preliminary 2012/13 school vacation reports, including summary analysis and individual district dates, are available for purchase at STR.com, or by emailing info@str.com.
