Back to School 2025: Here’s when Rockford-area students head back to class

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — We may be in the dog days of summer, but local school districts are preparing to greet returning students for the 2025-2026 school year. We compiled a list of local school start dates for Rockford and the surrounding area.

BELVIDERE DISTRICT #100: Thursday, August 21st
BOYLAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT: Monday, August 18th
BYRON DISTRICT #226: Wednesday, August 20th
MERIDIAN #223: Wednesday, August 13th
DIXON #170: Wednesday, August 13th
FORRESTON #221: Friday, August 15th
FREEPORT DISTRICT #145: Thursday, August 21st
HARLEM SCHOOL DISTRICT #122: Tuesday, August 19th
HONONEGAH DISTRICT #207: Freshman – Friday, August 8th; Other students – Wednesday, August 13th
LENA-WINSLOW #202: Monday, August 18th
NORTH BOONE #200: Thursday, August 14th
OREGON DISTRICT #220: Wednesday, August 13th
PECATONICA #321: Tuesday, August 19th
POLO #222: Wednesday, August 13th
ROCKFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS: Tuesday, August 19th
ROCKFORD LUTHERAN: Wednesday, August 13th
ROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT #205: Thursday, August 14th
ROCHELLE #231: Wednesday, August 13th
SOUTH BELOIT #320 — Wednesday, August 20th
WINNEBAGO #323: Wednesday, August 20th

Illinois does not have a sales tax holiday for parents shopping for school supplies this year. Senate Bill 1673 was introduced in April and would institute a four-day reduction of the sales tax from 6.25% to 1.25%, but as of June, it has been languishing with the Assignments Committee.