Good Friday 2025: Will schools and colleges remain open in US? Check details

Good Friday will be observed on April 18 this year but it is not a federal holiday in the US.

Published on: Apr 17, 2025, 10:30:06 IST

Edited by Sumanti Sen

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Good Friday will be observed on April 18 this year but it is not a federal holiday in the US. Public schools and colleges are not mandated to close on this day, but closures can vary based on specific state laws, district decisions, and institutional policies.

Good Friday 2025: Will schools and colleges remain open in US?

Twelve states in the U.S. – Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas – officially recognize Good Friday as a public holiday. In these states, public schools and colleges are generally closed on Good Friday.

Other states

In states where Good Friday is not a designated public holiday, school and college closures are determined by some individual districts or institutions. Here's a list:

- New York City: Public schools are closed on Good Friday as per the school’s year calendar.

- Philadelphia: The School District of Philadelphia has already scheduled closures for students and staff on Good Friday.

- North Carolina: In New Hanover and Brunswick counties, public schools will be closed on Good Friday.

However, in many other districts, schools may remain open unless Good Friday coincides with spring break. Religiously affiliated schools (like Catholic schools) are more likely to close in observance of the day.

College and university closures

Higher education institutions also exhibit varied practices. Take a look at the list:

- San Antonio College and all Alamo Colleges District campuses will be closed on Good Friday.

- Coffeyville Community College in Kansas has announced campus closures for Good Friday.

Some colleges may remain open but offer accommodations for students and staff wishing to observe the holiday.

If you haven’t been notified by the administration of the school or college, you can do the following:

- Check academic calendars: Consult your school or college's official academic calendar to confirm if classes are in session or suspended on Good Friday.

- Be aware of regional practices: Practices can differ not only between states but also among districts and individual institutions within the same state.

- Plan accordingly: If your institution remains open and you plan to observe Good Friday, communicate with the administration in advance to arrange for any necessary accommodations.

What else is open on Good Friday?

Several businesses and government offices will be open on Good Friday, including post offices and major banks. E-commerce transport services like FedEx and UPS will be operating and delivering packages on Good Friday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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