American school holidays

[sed]

Can someone tell me when schools in the USA tend to have their holidays? Are they the same as ours? I am just wondering if we could go to Florida at a time when British kids on holiday but American ones aren't - just to try and dodge the queues a bit. Thanks

Sed, the US schools' summer holidays tend to be a lot longer than the British ones (almost a full 3 months in some cases). But for the October break, you'd be fine and the weather would be still be nice. Otherwise, by the end of the British summer break some US schools would be already back in session.

Thanks JJ. How about the May half term we have (last week of May, usually). Do Americans have that one?

american kids have what they call spring break, but this can range from march to may according to what area they come from so it's more staggered if you know what i mean. i went 2 years ago for a couple of weeks and one of them was the may half term week and the queues weren't bad at all but i've heard that july/august time is very busy

In general in the usa, school starts in early september (just after labor day) and ends in late may to early june (just after memorial day). Christmas break is usually two weeks encompassing Christmas and New Year. There is usually a one week holiday in the spring that is generally in march or april. Apart from that there are various "3 day weekends" (our version of bank holidays) through the year, so before you book you might want to check that you haven't hit one of those. As JJ said, the October break would be a great time to go as American kids do not get a break then and the weather will be lovely then (not too hot like in the summer) in florida. Also, the flights are really cheap then. Just make sure you book the flights a little early because you won't be the only British family with the same idea.

Brilliant info - thanks everyone.

sed, they do have the Monday of May half-term as a public holiday, same as us - that's the Memorial Day that SofiaAmes mentioned - but the rest of the week should be OK.

Just to confirm what others have said, I have asked my American husband and they don't get half term, 2 weeks at Xmas and Easter and about 8 weeks for Summer. So October probably would be the nearest bestest time

Just wanted to add in Hawaii, spring break is always the same week in March (not sure which) and those who can afford it come to the mainland for their vacations - - skiing is very popular. Also some schools in the US are "year round" so the holidays are spaced out thoughout the year. "This calendar also breaks up the traditional three-month summer vacation, giving students three one-month vacations during three different seasons. The school year begins in early August and continues through the end of the following June."

October is a fantastic time to go florida, I've been twice then. It's busy but not as as busy as in July or August and it's not as hot either. It's still hot but bearable. I've also heard that if you go in July it can rain every day and be very very humid.
My american friends kids get their summer holidays from Mid May until Early September.

Don't go at Christmas time - it's the busiest time of year for Disney etc. We did about 6 years ago - no-one told us what it would be like - hell!! We next went in August which was hot but pretty quiet. They do fast track sysytems on most of the rides in the parks now, which is a great way to beat the queues.

Go at Whitsun and take the 2nd week off school. We went then a couple of years ago and virtually no queues, don't go to a park on Memorial Day though. Perhaps you could use the 2nd week to lay on the beach.