Share and Follow
As students across Florida prepare for a relaxing Thanksgiving break, those in Duval County find themselves in a unique position, heading to school while their peers enjoy time off. Unlike the rest of the state’s districts, which have granted Nov. 24-28 as a vacation period, Duval County Public Schools have opted to hold regular classes on Nov. 24-25, reserving the break for Nov. 26-28. Administrative offices will be closed on Nov. 27-28.
This decision stems from a “long-standing practice,” according to Laureen Ricks, spokesperson for the Duval County school district. The district does not align its calendar with other regions but instead follows a distinct planning process.
The annual school schedule is carefully crafted by a calendar committee, comprised of a diverse group of representatives. This includes teachers, employee unions, community members, parent and student groups, as well as district leaders, ensuring a broad perspective is considered in the planning.
Duval schools are following “a long-standing practice” by keeping schools open and don’t factor other districts’ schedules into their plans, a school district spokeswoman, Laureen Ricks, said by email.
Why is Duval schools’ Thanksgiving break different?
Ricks said a school calendar committee develops the district’s yearly schedules through a collaboration involving representatives of teachers, employee unions, community members, parent groups, student groups and district leaders.
Developing the calendar, Ricks said, the committee weighs factors like testing windows, teacher planning days, required instructional time, the number of days in school quarters and semesters and state requirements about the first day of school.
Other counties’ schedules aren’t among those factors, she said.
Parents who walked uphill (both ways) to get their education know having a week off for Thanksgiving hasn’t always been routine.
As recently as 2023, Nassau County schools scheduled two class days on Thanksgiving week, just like schools in Jacksonville.
When is Thanksgiving 2025?
Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November. In 2025, the holiday falls on Thursday, Nov. 27.
Is Thanksgiving a federal holiday? How many are there in 2025?
In 2025, there are 12 instead of the usual 11 federal holidays, although two — Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day — fell on the same day in January.
Here are the remaining 2025 federal holidays:
Is Thanksgiving a Florida holiday?
Yes, Thanksgiving, along with Friday Nov. 28, is included in the list of paid holidays in Florida for state agencies.
On Nov. 17, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis added three additional holidays for state employees, the day before Thanksgiving, the day after Christmas and the day after New Year’s.
Remaining state paid holidays in Florida this year include:
- Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
- Dec. 25: Christmas Day
Is Thanksgiving a Florida holiday?
Yes, Thanksgiving, along with Friday Nov. 28, is included in the list of paid holidays in Florida for state agencies.
On Nov. 17, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis added three additional holidays for state employees, the day before Thanksgiving, the day after Christmas and the day after New Year’s.
Remaining state paid holidays in Florida this year include:
- Day before Thanksgiving Wednesday, Nov. 26
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, Nov. 27
- Day after Thanksgiving: Friday, Nov. 28
- Christmas Day: Thursday, Dec. 25
- Day after Christmas: Friday, Dec. 26
Why aren’t school calendars same for all Florida counties?
The decision on what days schools should be closed is made by individual school districts.
What will be closed for Thanksgiving?
- Publix: Thanksgiving is one of the three holidays the supermarket chain closes.
- Walmart: Closed.
- Target: Closed
- Walgreens: Most Walgreens are closed on Thanksgiving Day, with the exception of its 24-hour locations.
- CVS: Most CVS locations will be open on Thanksgiving, but with modified or shortened hours.
This story was first published by our news partners, The Florida Times-Union.
