Back-to-school season is coming up in Duval, Clay and St. Johns. Here's what you'll need to know.

If the back-to-school sale ads and supply donation drives made you wonder, a new school year starts across Northeast Florida in about a month.

Although there’s still time to hit the beach or squeeze in some vacation days, keeping on schedule is important for getting classes started on the right foot. So, here’s a quick rundown of answers to basic questions about the new year.

What day do Florida kids go back to school?

State law says classes can’t begin before Aug. 10 (that’s a Saturday this year), but it lets school districts decide for themselves when to start.

When is the first day of school in Duval County?

Classes start Aug. 12 in Duval County and most of Florida’s school districts, but it’s not the same for every county.

What time does school start in Duval County?

Check with the individual school to be sure your child will be on time. The general rule has been that elementary school classes start at 8:30 a.m.; middle schools at 9:30 a.m.; and high schools at 7:15 a.m. But dozens of Duval schools have had different start times, and the simplest way to be sure is to check with each child’s specific school.

When is the first day of school for charter schools?

“Charter schools are privately managed and determine their own calendar,” said a spokeswoman for Duval schools, whose district has contracts with operators of 44 charters. Many of those follow the school district’s calendar, and often post their calendar on their website, but the ones who don’t have to be asked individually.

When is the first day of school in Clay County?

Classes start Aug. 13, which is a Tuesday.

Statewide:Ready for new school year to begin? Here are start days in every Florida county

When is the first day of school in Nassau County?

Classes start Aug. 12.

When do private schools around Jacksonville start the 2024-25 year?

Like charter schools, they decide their own calendars, but a lot of private-school students will head back to class around the same time as in public school. The Bolles School starts classes Aug. 14, while the Episcopal School of Jacksonville begins Aug. 15. Bishop Kenny High School will start classes Aug. 12 for freshmen and Aug. 13 for sophomores, juniors and seniors.

When is the first day of school in St. Johns County?

Classes start Aug. 12.

When is the first day of school in Baker County?

Classes start Aug. 12.

When is the Florida back-to-school sales tax holiday?

A 14-day back-to-school sales tax holiday is coming from July 29 to Aug. 11, 2024, for clothing, footwear, and backpacks costing $100 or less, school supplies costing $50 or less, learning aids costing $30 or less, and personal computers or computer-related accessories, including non-recreational software, costing $1,500 or less.

➤ See complete list of tax-free items.

USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida reporter Cheryl McCloud contributed to this report.