school year

American  

noun

1. the months of the year during which school is open and attendance at school is required.

2. academic year.

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school year British  

noun

1. a twelve-month period, (in Britain) usually starting in late summer and continuing for three terms until the following summer, during which pupils remain in the same class

2. the time during this period when the school is open

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Etymology

Origin of school year

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Rich Township High School District 227 in Chicago’s south suburbs set up a Star Academy in the 2019-20 school year, but discontinued it after three years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Transitional kindergarten, which serves nearly half of the state’s 4-year-olds, met just three of them last school year, according to the report.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Unified in the 2024-25 school year and 5,707 in the prior school year, according to data presented at a committee meeting in November.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

By the 2025-26 school year, this figure had risen to $10,340.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Tear at the toughness Jasmine had built up over the school year.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds