As more school districts initiate the academic year in July or August, students increasingly face extreme heat. The trend could significantly affect the health and comfort of children attending school during the peak of summer.

Date: July 27, 2026, 9:15 p.m. EDT

A playground for younger children in Lansing, Michigan, provides an example of outdoor conditions as children engage in activities. The image, captured by Nick King from the Lansing State Journal and USA TODAY Network, highlights environments across many parts of the United States.

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By July 2026, Phoenix recorded temperatures reaching as high as 117 degrees Fahrenheit, equivalent to 47 degrees Celsius. Despite the oppressive heat, children continued their routines, walking to and from school, playing during recess, and participating in baseball practices.