School Closures

People cross a snow covered street in the aftermath of a winter storm in Philadelphia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
Pedestrians cross the street in the aftermath of a winter storm in Philadelphia on Jan. 26. Online learning has allowed some school systems to move away from canceling school because of severe weather.
Matt Rourke/AP
School & District Management How Remote Learning Has Changed the Traditional Snow Day
States and districts took very different approaches in weighing whether to move to online instruction.
Jennifer Vilcarino, January 26, 2026
4 min read
Three different screenshots of videos from superintendents' creative announcements for a school snow day. Clockwise from left: Montgomery County Public Schools via YouTube, Terry J. Dade via X, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School via Facebook
Gone are the days of kids sitting in front of the TV waiting for their district's name to flash across the screen announcing a snow day. Here are some of our favorite announcements from superintendents who had fun with one of the most visible aspects of their job.
Clockwise from left: Montgomery County Public Schools via YouTube, Terry J. Dade via X, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School via Facebook
School & District Management Five Snow Day Announcements That Broke the Internet (Almost)
Superintendents rapped, danced, and cheered for the home team's playoff success as they announced snow days.
2 min read
20260122 AMX US NEWS CPS CANCELS CLASS FRIDAY DUE 1 TB
A crossing guard assists students as they arrive for classes at Chalmers STEAM Elementary school on Jan. 22, 2026, in Chicago. Extreme cold hitting much of the United States in the coming days could test schools' aging infrastructure and force school closures. Chicago Public Schools called off classes for Friday, Jan. 23.
Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune
School & District Management A Cold Front Is Sweeping the Country. Can Schools' Heating Keep Up?
A spate of frigid temperatures across much of the country will present a test for schools' aging heating systems.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, January 22, 2026
5 min read
An elementary school damaged by the Eaton Fire is seen in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 19, 2025.
An elementary school damaged by the Eaton Fire is seen in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 19, 2025.
Ringo Chiu via AP
School & District Management Opinion Schools Are Vulnerable to Climate Disasters. Principals Aren’t Ready
When an emergency forces schools to close, school leaders need more than just moral courage.
Casey Cirullo Upson, July 25, 2025
4 min read
Eaton Fire evacuees Ceiba Phillips, 11, right, adjusts his mask as he and his mother, Alyson Granaderos, stand next to what remains of their in-law suite during Ceiba's first visit to their home since the fire in Altadena, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2025.
Eaton Fire evacuees Ceiba Phillips, 11, right, adjusts his mask as he and his mother, Alyson Granaderos, stand next to what remains of their in-law suite during Ceiba's first visit to their home since the fire in Altadena, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2025. For students, fires and other natural disasters tend to exacerbate the already-negative affects of being out of school.
Jae C. Hong/AP
School & District Management Extreme Weather Disruptions Compound Students' Lost Learning
Fires, storms, and other natural disasters can disrupt learning beyond just missed instruction. Planning can help schools recover faster.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 2, 2025
4 min read
Flu and cold season concept: student at desk with tissues and blowing their nose.
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Student Well-Being & Movement Schools Close as Flu and Other Respiratory Illnesses Spike
Some schools are temporarily closing to stop the spread of infection—or because too many staff are sick.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, February 12, 2025
4 min read
Students in a combined second- and third-grade class talk in pairs.
Students in a combined 2nd and 3rd grade class talk in pairs.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
School & District Management Thinking About Closing a School? What to Consider Besides Enrollment
It's not a given that closing a building will result in substantial savings.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, January 28, 2025
6 min read
The School District of Philadelphia headquarters are shown in Philadelphia on July 23, 2024.
The School District of Philadelphia headquarters are shown in Philadelphia on July 23, 2024. The district is embarking on a yearlong process to assess which of its smaller schools may need to close.
Matt Rourke/AP
School & District Management As It Closes Schools, This District Wants to Avoid the Mistakes of the Past
The district wants to move slowly and not make closure decisions based on enrollment alone.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, January 24, 2025
7 min read
A pair of snow people greet motorists along Union Boulevard as a storm packing heavy snow envelopes the intermountain West on March 17, 2022, in Greenwood Village, Colo.
A pair of snow people greet motorists along Union Boulevard as a storm packing heavy snow envelopes the intermountain West on March 17, 2022, in Greenwood Village, Colo.
David Zalubowski/AP
Teaching Profession Teachers, Do You Check Your Work Email on Snow Days?
We know how students feel about snow days. But how do teachers see them?
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 13, 2025
3 min read
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2025.
Ethan Swope/AP
School Climate & Safety As Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles, Educators Offer Help and Refuge
As wildfires rip through the region, educators band together for support as they work to help students and families.
Brooke Schultz & Ileana Najarro, January 9, 2025
9 min read
Rosie Henson, from left, Charlotte Hall and Jaya Demni play around in the snow near Schifferstadt Museum in Frederick, Md.,on Monday, Jan. 6. 2025.
Rosie Henson, from left, Charlotte Hall and Jaya Demni play around in the snow near Schifferstadt Museum in Frederick, Md.,on Jan. 6. 2025.
Ric Dugan/The Frederick News-Post via AP
School & District Management Are Snow Days Making a Comeback?
While some school districts use remote learning days when wintry weather strikes, others are reverting to—or sticking with—snow days.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 9, 2025
4 min read
A passerby checks the water depth of a flooded road, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. Torrential rain from Hurricane Helene left many area streets flooded. In addition, traffic lights are inoperable due to no power, with downed power lines and trees.
A passerby checks the water depth of a flooded road, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. Torrential rain from Hurricane Helene left area streets flooded, and strong winds downed power lines and trees. Schools have become hubs to support their communities as recovery begins.
Kathy Kmonicek/AP
School & District Management Educators Rush to Get Food and Shelter to Their Students After Hurricane Helene
Districts slammed by an unprecedented natural disaster have become shelter zones for their communities.
Olina Banerji & Brooke Schultz, September 30, 2024
7 min read
Illustration: Sorry we are closed sign hanging outside a glass door.
iStock/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion Enrollment Down. Achievement Lackluster. Should This School Close?
An equity researcher describes how coming district-reorganization decisions can help preserve Black communities in central cities.
Francis A. Pearman, June 26, 2024
5 min read
Desks and chairs are stacked in an empty classroom after the permanent closure of Queen of the Rosary Catholic Academy in Brooklyn borough of New York on Aug. 6, 2020.
Desks and chairs are stacked in an empty classroom after the permanent closure of Queen of the Rosary Catholic Academy in Brooklyn borough of New York on Aug. 6, 2020. A new study examines the long-term effects on students whose schools close.
Jessie Wardarski/AP
School & District Management The Harm of School Closures Can Last a Lifetime, New Research Shows
The short-term effects on students when their schools close have been well documented. New research examines the long-term impact.
Libby Stanford, June 18, 2024
5 min read