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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 8. Education
Agency 20. State Board of Education
Chapter 720. Regulations Governing Local School Boards and School Divisions
10/31/2025

8VAC20-720-20. Length of school day.

The time for opening and closing schools shall be prescribed by the local school board upon recommendation of the division superintendent, provided that the daily program for students in grades kindergarten through 12 shall average at least 5-1/2 hours, not including meal intermissions. If the required program length is maintained, the local school board may approve occasional shortened days for staff development, conferences, planning, and other activities designed to improve the instructional program, provided that no more than one day in each five-day week may be shortened to no less than four hours. The student day described in this section shall be considered a minimum day rather than an optimum day; a longer student day is encouraged to accommodate the instructional program and student needs.

When exceptions in the length of the daily program are necessary for special education, alternative education, double shifts, and scheduling or other unusual situations, the local board shall request approval of the exception by the Superintendent of Public Instruction by August 1 preceding the school year for which the exception is applicable. The affected programs must be in compliance with any other regulations that apply to the programs.

The length of the workday for employees shall be determined by the local school board, but it shall be of sufficient length to allow for the daily program for students and additional time as may be necessary for activities such as planning, preparation, meetings, workshops, conferences, meal intermissions, or other contractual obligations.

Statutory Authority

§ 22.1-16 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 26, eff. September 25, 2025.

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