Why do some schools start the new year before Labor Day?

My children start school in two weeks on August 19th. It seems that each year it starts earlier. When I grew up school started the day after Labor Day. August 19th just seems so early to me. It’s usually our hottest part of the summer and the school ends up on a heat schedule anyways.

I know that not all communities start so soon. Schools where we vacation start school the day after Labor Day. We usually vacation in Wisconsin at the end of August because it is their slow season and prices are slashed dramatically. Our sons have had to miss a week of school each year so we can vacation when it’s more affordable.

Do your schools start this early or do they start after Labor Day? Are they year round? How do you prefer the schedule?

If you live in a country other than the U.S. I would love to know how your community schedules its school year.