FLORIDA — A majority of public schools across Florida are expected to be closed Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents Day, though not every district treats the holiday as a day off for students.
Presidents Day is the common name for the federal holiday officially designated as Washington’s Birthday. It is observed each year on the third Monday in February. In 2026, the holiday falls on Feb. 16.
Because it is a federal holiday, most government offices, banks and many public institutions close for the day. In Florida, many of the state’s 67 public school districts traditionally include Presidents Day as a non-instructional day on their academic calendars. That means millions of students statewide will not report to class.
However, school closures are determined at the district level, not by the federal government. Each Florida school district sets its own academic calendar within state guidelines for required instructional days and hours. As a result, not all districts schedule Presidents Day as a holiday.
Some districts build Presidents Day into their calendar as a regular school day to ensure they meet state-mandated instructional time requirements or to balance other planned breaks, such as extended winter or spring holidays.
In some cases, districts may use the day as a teacher planning day, professional development day or makeup day for instructional time lost earlier in the school year due to hurricanes or other emergencies.
Charter schools and private schools also operate independently and may follow different calendars from their local public school districts.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to check directly with their local school district or individual school to confirm whether classes will be held Monday.
While Presidents Day is widely observed across Florida, the decision to close schools ultimately depends on each district’s approved academic calendar.
