It’s getting hotter in classrooms and on playgrounds – schools aren’t ready to handle extreme temperatures

Retrofitting old classrooms with air conditioners, even when necessary to maintain a cool classroom, isn't always financially possible. RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post

As temperatures in Phoenix soared to 117 degrees Fahrenheit, or 47 degrees Celsius, in July 2026, children living there headed outside to walk to and from school, play during recess and suit up for baseball practice.

These routines have long been part of the school day, but with a rising number of school districts in Arizona, as well as across the country, starting their academic year in mid-July or August, kids are spending more time at school during some of the hottest days of the year.