Amends GS 115C-84.2(d) to direct that except for year-round schools, the school opening date for students must be no earlier than August 15 (was, opening no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26, and closing no later than the Friday closest to June 11). Mandates that first semester examinations be given before winter break. Deletes language that provided discretionary authority to the State Board of Education to allow local boards to waive opening date requirements for good cause and revise closing date requirements. Also deletes exception for schools having a modified calendar for the 2003-04 school year.

Provides that in spite of the required opening date under subsection (d), a local board of education may schedule school opening and closing dates to coincide with the opening and closing dates of a community college that serves the city or county in which the school unit is located.

Applies beginning with the 2013-14 school year.