Guidance on Schedule Change from Days to Hours

Traditional school districts, joint vocational school districts and chartered nonpublic schools must comply with minimum hours of instruction each year.

• No schedule can be in effect that does not comply with all parts of the new minimum hour state law.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Required Days to Required Hours

Minimum Hours and What Hours Count

School districts, joint vocational school districts and chartered nonpublic schools must be open for instruction for a minimum of:

• 455 hours for students in half-day kindergarten
• 910 hours for students in full-day kindergarten through grade 6; and
• 1,001 hours for students in grades 7-12.
• 910 hours for students enrolled in traditional school district online schools.

Community schools must be open for instruction for at least 920 hours per year. Read more about minimum hours and what hours count.

No Calamity Days in Ohio

Schools may schedule “excess” hours above the minimum number. Hours missed above the minimum do not have to be made up. However, if a school closes enough that it will fall below the minimum number of hours, the school must extend its scheduled year. Read more about how calamity days changed.

Online Day Plans

Online day plans are an alternative to making up hours due to school closure under several circumstances. Schools or districts may use an online day plan to make up the equivalent of up to three school days via online delivery under allowable scenarios.

Changing the Schedule

A traditional school district board of education (not applicable to joint vocational school districts) must hold a public hearing at least 30 days prior to adopting its school schedule.  Read more about changing the schedule.

Last Modified: 9/11/2025 1:22:16 PM

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