As Florida kids get ready to head back to school, parents are busy buying new school supplies and clothes ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
The annual sales tax holiday in Florida will run from July 20 to Aug. 20 this year, 10 days earlier than last year.
Here’s everything to know before the kids head back to school.
When does school start in Collier County?
For Collier County Public School students, summer vacation officially ends on Aug. 11, the first day of school.
Florida law prohibits public schools from starting before Aug. 10, with 39 of Florida’s 67 counties starting school on that date, which falls on a Monday this year.
Collier County is not included in that number this year, instead sticking with the same start date, Aug. 11, as the 2025-’26 school year, a Tuesday this year. Lee County will also send kids back to school on Aug. 11.
“As students and staff prepare to return to the classroom, we are proud of the momentum our district continues to build under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli, who is entering her fourth full year leading Collier County Public Schools,” Chad Oliver, the Collier County Public Schools spokesperson wrote in an email to Naples Daily News.
What will be different this school year?
“There are no significant changes for the upcoming school year,” Oliver wrote in the email.
However, all 10 middle schools in the district, will switch to a consistent daily schedule with courses meeting in the same order every day rather than rotating class periods.
“This change was made to better support students during a pivotal stage of their academic and personal development,” the email said.
Although start and end times are generally the same as last year, Oliver encouraged parents and students to check their school’s calendar as some schedules have changed.
The district has officially launched the Back-to-School Hub for the upcoming school year, featuring bus schedules, class schedules, school meal information and other reminders.
Applications for free or reduced school lunch are also available through the Hub.
“We encourage parents to review these resources before the first day of school so students can begin the year prepared and ready to have a great year,” Oliver wrote in the email.
Are phones or electronic devices allowed in school?
The rules on phones in school will remain unchanged from last school year. Elementary and middle school students are allowed to bring their phones, smart watches or tablets to school, but must turn them off and put them away for the entire school day.
High school students will be allowed to use their devices in between classes and at lunch, but not during instructional time.
These rules are in accordance with Florida state law which prohibits high school students from using electronic devices during instructional time unless advised to do so by a teacher.
Florida’s tax-free sales holiday
Florida’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday will begin July 20 and run through Aug. 20, after all students have returned to school.
What items are tax-free during the holiday?
Here’s a full list of tax-exempt items, like school supplies, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.
Items like watches, purses, alterations and any school supplies over $50 are not tax-exempt.
Is there a limit on the number of items you can buy during the school sales tax holiday?
No. The exemption is based on the sales price of each item, not on the number of items purchased.
Does the Florida back-to-school sales tax holiday also apply to items I buy online?
Yes. Items purchased online are exempt when the order is accepted by the company during the sales tax holiday for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the tax holiday.
When does school start in all Florida counties?
Thirty-nine of Florida’s 67 counties will start the 2026-2027 school year on Monday, Aug. 10. Three counties will start Thursday, Aug. 13.
When the 2026-2027 Florida school year will start for all 67 counties:
Special note: Links to school calendars often change. Here’s a state list of homepages for each Florida school district.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: When does school start in Collier County? Start times, tax holiday, more
Reporting by Alexa Ryan and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alexa Ryan and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
