Good Friday: A Day Off School?

Whether schools are open on Good Friday is a topic of debate. While most schools in Massachusetts were closed for the religious holiday this year, some remained open. The decision to keep schools open on Good Friday in 2024 was made by the school committee in April 2022, allowing students to take an excused absence if they required it for religious purposes. However, this decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some students finding it unusual and preferring to participate in Good Friday activities instead of attending school. On the other hand, some parents appreciated having their children in class, valuing the additional educational time. The decision to remain open or closed on Good Friday appears to vary depending on the location and individual school committee policies.

Schools closed for Good Friday

In the United States, whether schools are closed on Good Friday or not depends on the state and the school district.

For example, in Massachusetts, most school districts were closed for the religious holiday in 2023, but some, like Abington, were open. The Andover Public Schools' 2024-25 calendar lists Orthodox Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025, as a day with no school. Similarly, Wellesley Public Schools' 2023-24 calendar lists Good Friday as a day when schools are closed.

While some schools remain closed on Good Friday, others like Abington are moving towards staying open on the day. The school committee in Abington voted to stay open on Good Friday in 2023 and 2024, allowing students to take an excused absence if they require it for religious purposes.

Religious holiday

Good Friday is a Christian holy day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. The date of Good Friday varies from year to year in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars.

Good Friday is widely recognised as a legal holiday around the world, including in most Western countries and 12 U.S. states. In the U.S., Good Friday is not a federal holiday, but it is a state holiday in some states, including Connecticut, Texas, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina and North Dakota.

Many Christian denominations observe Good Friday with fasting and church services. In some Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist churches, the Service of the Great Three Hours' Agony is held from noon until 3 p.m.—the hours the Bible records darkness covering the land until Jesus' death on the cross.

Good Friday is also observed as a school holiday in some places. For example, in the 2023-24 academic calendar, Wellesley Public Schools in Massachusetts noted Good Friday as a day when schools were closed. Similarly, Andover Public Schools in Massachusetts listed Good Friday in their 2024-25 academic calendar as a day with no school.

Schools open on Good Friday

In Massachusetts, some schools are open on Good Friday, while others are closed. It depends on the school district and the decision of the school committee. For example, in 2023, schools in Abington were open on Good Friday, while schools in Mansfield were closed.

The decision to keep schools open or closed on Good Friday can be a controversial one. Some students and parents may prefer to have the day off for religious reasons or to participate in traditional activities. On the other hand, some parents may appreciate the opportunity for their children to attend school and continue their education.

School committees need to consider the potential impact on staff and student attendance when deciding whether or not to keep schools open on Good Friday. In the case of Mansfield, the school district was forced to close due to expected high levels of staff and faculty absences. In contrast, the Abington school committee voted to stay open on Good Friday, but students could still receive an excused absence if they needed to take the day off for religious reasons.

The decision to keep schools open or closed on Good Friday can also vary from year to year. For example, the Abington school committee planned to remain in session on Good Friday in 2024, following their decision to do so in 2023. However, the final decision will be made through a vote on April 25, 2024, and residents will be allowed to comment and share their opinions.

Excused absence for religious purposes

Overview

Many educational institutions recognize the importance of accommodating students' religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds. As such, schools often have policies in place to excuse students' absences for religious observances, ensuring that students don't have to choose between their faith and their academic standing.

Policies and Procedures

The specific policies and procedures for excused absences due to religious obligations can vary between different educational institutions and jurisdictions. For example, in Texas, public school districts are required by law to excuse student absences for religious holy days, but the method of excusing these absences is determined by each district. Some districts may require documentation from a religious leader, while others may accept a note from a parent or guardian.

Examples of Implementation

• Andover Public Schools, Massachusetts: The school district's policy IMDC "Accommodation for Religious and Ethnic Observances" outlines how they handle absences and event scheduling on days of religious and cultural significance. The school recognizes major religious and cultural observances such as Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan, and Orthodox Good Friday, and ensures that students are excused from school on these days without any punishment or academic penalty.
• Wellesley Public Schools, Massachusetts: The school district's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Mission statement emphasizes their commitment to welcoming, celebrating, and affirming the full spectrum of human differences. As part of this, they include religious holidays such as Yom Kippur, Good Friday, and Orthodox Easter Sunday as days when schools are closed.
• Rutgers University: The university has a policy to excuse, without penalty, students who are absent due to religious observance. Students are advised to notify their instructors about these absences in a timely manner and are allowed to make up any missed work or exams according to an agreed-upon schedule.
• Indiana School District: Following an investigation by the Civil Rights Division, this district changed its attendance policy to permit students to have excused absences for religious holidays without facing any negative consequences. This change ensures that students can freely observe the religious holidays of their faith without compromising their academic standing.

Schools closed due to staff shortages

Staff shortages have become a critical issue across the United States, with 41 states and Washington, D.C., facing shortages in at least one subject area or grade level. This issue has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in increased retirement rates and a decline in new teachers joining schools. In addition, the pandemic has placed a significant burden on teachers, requiring them to adapt to online learning, manage constantly changing rules, and deal with the social and emotional impact on students. These factors have contributed to low morale and high stress levels among teachers.

One of the main reasons for the staff shortage in schools is low pay, especially when compared to other professions. For example, in California, the average salary for new teachers ranges from $47,000 to $57,000, while the average cost of living in the state is $53,083. This makes it difficult for teachers to afford basic necessities like rent, with many spending far more than the recommended 30% of their wages on housing.

Maternity pay is another issue contributing to the staff shortage in schools. In England, teachers are entitled to four weeks of full pay, followed by two weeks at 90% pay, and then 12 weeks of half-pay plus statutory maternity pay. This is significantly less than what is offered in other professions, such as civil servants in the Department for Education, who receive 26 weeks of full pay. As a result, many teachers feel compelled to return to work sooner than they would like, which can lead to feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction.

The staff shortage is particularly acute in certain subjects and areas. For instance, STEM fields, foreign languages, and special education classrooms have been hit the hardest. Additionally, recruitment is more challenging for rural areas, as it is difficult to convince teachers to move to isolated towns with fewer amenities.

To address the staff shortage, some states and districts have implemented various solutions. Florida, for example, is offering salary increases, signing bonuses, and mentoring programs for new teachers. Texas is considering a teacher homebuyer incentive program to retain educators, while Kentucky has increased starting salaries for teachers to make them more competitive with neighboring states. California has also invested $1.2 billion to address teacher shortages, including initiatives such as affordable housing projects and grants for teaching students.

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