Why does the academic school year in much of the Northern Hemisphere traditionally start on September 1st?

It’s that time of the year again and schools are starting again in much of the northern half of the globe. Though this year COVID19 may make things different as some schools go virtual.

I be curious why traditionally students begin their new grade around September and end sometime in June.

As with just a handful of exceptions school systems in much of Europe and Asia follow this pattern. Japan and Korea seem to begin the year at Spring but follows a similar summer break pattern until September 1st. While China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, seem to always start the new school year on September 1st sharp and end it on June 30th. Vietnam and cambodia likely runs on a similar schedule but ends a bit earlier.

Britain’s school term runs week or two into July before summer break but restarts at September 1st

North America used to mostly follow this pattern it as well except during the last two decades more and more local districts especially in the US decided to experiment with an year round or modified calendar schedule which may start as early as July but has breaks in between the year. Though the fiscal year starts at July 1st.

I am always curious why students begin their new grade around September and end it in June. In some areas they have to take end of year tests/exams under sweltering heat before the advent of A/C which seem to hinder their test performance.

Submitted August 31, 2020 at 05:53PM by Jcs609 https://ift.tt/31H9NlI