Extreme heat poses challenges for August school start dates

About 70% of school-age children return to school in August, which is the hottest month of the year in much of the United States. With the temperature outlook expected to be well above average across most of the country, school administrators, athletic directors and parents are faced with safely navigating this challenging intersection of extreme heat and the academic calendar.

By early August, temperatures have risen well above average in many parts of the US. Many cities in the southern region of the country, from Arizona to Florida, have experienced temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These heat waves pose serious health risks, especially for children and adolescents. A recent US Environmental Protection Agency report warns that young bodies have a harder time regulating temperature and take longer to produce sweat. They may be less aware of their body’s signals or take breaks less often, making them more vulnerable than adults to heat exhaustion and heat illness.

Academic performance at risk

The average age of America’s school buildings are nearly 50 years old, and more than a third were built before 1970. It is estimated that 36,000 of these schools do not have air conditioning. Long days of extreme heat did not pose a major health risk, just as they did twenty years ago. Now it is dangerous enough to close schools. Last fall the School District of Philadelphia had to send tens of thousands of students home and close 74 buildings as temperatures rose well into the 90s during the first week of school.

Heat takes a measurable toll on cognitive function and academic performance. A Harvard study found that students in schools without air conditioning scored lower on standardized tests administered on hot days than their peers in climate-controlled classrooms. The researchers estimated that each degree increase in temperature during the school year reduced the amount of learning that year by 1%.

Schools are working to address heat-related risks in the classroom and adapting to keep students safe so they can maintain a productive learning environment. The first line of defense is staying informed about the weather. Schools are increasingly integrating weather awareness into their daily routines, and many are implementing it warning systems to keep the school community informed of extreme heat warnings and to revise school timetables as necessary.

In the classroom, schools use a wide range of strategies. For those lucky enough to have air conditioning, they are working on it maintain temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, where optimal learning takes place. Those without cooling systems rely on fans, strategic shade management, and even portable cooling units to manage classroom temperatures.

For those times when the heat becomes overwhelming, schools designate “cooling zones,” air-conditioned centers within a building where students can take a breather and regulate their body temperature. These spaces become as essential as libraries or cafeterias during extreme heat. Some districts are experimenting with earlier start times or half days to avoid midday heat. Even school dress codes are becoming more relaxed, allowing students to wear cooler, more breathable clothing during the hottest periods.

Heat education also plays a crucial role. In states like Arizona and others, many schools are rolling out heat safety education programs for students, staff and coaches. These initiatives enable the school community to recognize heat-related illnesses and respond quickly with well-rehearsed emergency action plans.

Student-athletes and heat risks

The stakes are even higher for the physical safety of student-athletes playing outdoor sports. Research has found that heat illness is one of the leading causes of death and disability among American high school students. Proper acclimatization, hydration and monitoring are critical as young athletes return to practice in the heat of late summer.

On the athletic field, coaches embrace a more gradual approach to training, slowly increasing the intensity and duration of workouts to help students acclimatize to the heat. Athletic directors move practices to cooler hours and often gather teams in the early morning or evening. Many are also turning to technology, using temperature of the wet bulb bulb measurements to make data-driven decisions about safe conditions for outdoor activities.

Balance between productivity and safety

While academic performance and athletic development are important, student safety is always a top priority. With proper planning and adaptation, teachers can maintain productive learning environments, even during extreme heat. Schools across the country are realizing positive returns on investments in heat mitigation strategies in the form of improved test scores, reduced absenteeism, and lower health care costs due to heat-related incidents. Research has found that the academic benefits of installing air conditioning in schools outweigh the costs in most U.S. climate zones.

With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, developing effective heat management protocols in the market is needed federal and local level is essential for school operations. By implementing short-term adaptive strategies and long-term infrastructure improvements, schools can create safer, more comfortable environments that support student success in both the classroom and on the field.