Some families wait all year for school breaks to take vacation. But others like to get away when school is still in session.
Many people think there’s no harm in kids occasionally missing school for a vacation. They point out that some families can’t afford to travel during school breaks, when flights and hotels are more expensive. They say the trips can also benefit kids. In a 2025 poll by Education Week, more than half the respondents said kids who miss school for vacations can get valuable real-world experience from their travels.
But many educators say students should miss school only when necessary, like when they’re sick or have a family emergency. They point out that taking long vacations can cause kids to fall behind in class. According to one 2025 report, missing 10 days of school in a year causes a student to lose nearly a month’s worth of learning.