Back To School Day...Earlier This Year - Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and Traffic

(CNS) Thousands of students will be heading back to school today, about three weeks earlier than usual.

The reason is that  the Los Angeles Unified School District is operating under a new calendar, which officials say could help improve grades.

The early-start calendar allows students to complete their first semester prior to winter break, which has been shown to have a positive impact on final examinations.

Under the early calendar, the last day of the 2012/2013 school year will be May 31st 2013.