The Saudi school calendar 2026 to 2027 will bring a two-semester structure and a minimum of 180 study days for general education schools.
Students are scheduled to begin the academic year on Sunday, 23 August 2026. Administrative staff will return on Tuesday, 11 August, followed by teaching staff on Sunday, 16 August.
For parents, the calendar provides an important guide for planning family holidays, childcare and travel. Meanwhile, schools can use the dates to organise staffing, teaching programmes and assessments.
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that general education schools will continue with a two-semester structure for the coming academic years. The arrangement follows Cabinet approval in August 2025 and forms part of the approved four-year framework.
Saudi School Calendar 2026 To 2027 Start And End Dates
Administrative employees and educational supervisors are scheduled to return on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.
Teachers will resume duties on Sunday, 16 August. Students will then return one week later on Sunday, 23 August.
This gives schools 12 days between the return of administrative staff and the first day for students. The preparation period allows schools to complete operational arrangements before classrooms reopen.
The academic year is scheduled to finish on Thursday, 24 June 2027.
Students will then begin their summer holiday before the next academic year starts on Sunday, 22 August 2027.
The Ministry’s published academic calendar provides the official framework for school start and end dates, terms and holidays.
Saudi School Calendar 2026 To 2027 Holidays
Several national and seasonal breaks will take place throughout the academic year.
The key dates provided for general education schools are as follows,
| Holiday Or Break | Dates |
|---|---|
| Administrative staff return | Tuesday, 11 August 2026 |
| Teaching staff return | Sunday, 16 August 2026 |
| Student return | Sunday, 23 August 2026 |
| Saudi National Day break | Wednesday, 23 September to Saturday, 26 September 2026 |
| Autumn break | Friday, 20 November to Saturday, 28 November 2026 |
| Midyear break | Friday, 8 January to Saturday, 16 January 2027 |
| Second semester begins | Sunday, 17 January 2027 |
| Founding Day break | Friday, 19 February to Monday, 22 February 2027 |
| Eid Al Fitr holiday | Friday, 26 February to Saturday, 13 March 2027 |
| Eid Al Adha holiday | Friday, 7 May to Saturday, 22 May 2027 |
| Academic year ends | Thursday, 24 June 2027 |
| Next academic year begins | Sunday, 22 August 2027 |
Parents should check directly with their child’s school before making travel arrangements. Private and international schools can have greater flexibility when setting their own term dates and holiday periods.
Saudi School Calendar Includes Major National Holidays
The first major holiday after students return will be the Saudi National Day break in September.
Schools will close from Wednesday, 23 September to Saturday, 26 September 2026. The break gives families an early opportunity to plan a short holiday after the start of the academic year.
An autumn break will follow in November. Students will be off from Friday, 20 November to Saturday, 28 November.
The midyear holiday will then run from Friday, 8 January to Saturday, 16 January 2027. Classes are scheduled to resume on Sunday, 17 January.
Eid Holidays Bring Longer School Breaks
The second semester includes two significant Eid holidays.
The Eid Al Fitr holiday is scheduled from Friday, 26 February to Saturday, 13 March 2027. Families will therefore have an extended break during the spring period.
Founding Day will take place shortly before the Eid Al Fitr holiday. Schools are scheduled to close from Friday, 19 February to Monday, 22 February.
Later in the academic year, the Eid Al Adha holiday will run from Friday, 7 May to Saturday, 22 May 2027.
These longer breaks will be particularly important for families planning domestic or international travel. Parents may also need to consider flight availability and accommodation costs during peak holiday periods.
Two-Semester Structure Continues Across Saudi Schools
The move to two semesters for general education schools forms part of a wider change to Saudi Arabia’s academic calendar.
The Ministry said the two-semester system will apply for four academic years, beginning with the 2025 to 2026 academic year. It also retained a minimum of 180 study days annually.
The Ministry said the decision followed a broad review involving education specialists, school leaders, teachers, students and parents. The review considered the effectiveness of different academic calendar models and the need for greater flexibility.
Furthermore, the Ministry has indicated that improving education quality depends on factors beyond the number of semesters. These include teacher development, curriculum improvement, the school environment, governance and greater operational flexibility.
Private And International Schools Have More Flexibility
Parents at private and international schools should not automatically assume that every date will match the national calendar.
The Ministry allows private and international education institutions to establish their own semester and holiday dates within specific requirements. Schools can bring forward or delay the start of the academic year by up to two weeks from the approved calendar.
Schools must submit their proposed timetable for approval and communicate the confirmed schedule to families before the academic year begins.
This flexibility means parents should use their school’s published calendar when planning holidays, rather than relying solely on the national dates.
Regional Flexibility For Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah And Taif
Some regions also have additional flexibility because of their particular seasonal and visitor requirements.
The Ministry has granted education authorities in Makkah and Madinah, as well as Jeddah and Taif, powers to make adjustments where required. The arrangements take account of Hajj, Umrah and visitor activity.
As a result, families in these areas should pay close attention to announcements from their local education authorities and schools.
What Parents Should Plan For The 2026 To 2027 School Year
The Saudi school calendar 2026 to 2027 gives families several key dates to plan around.
Parents should confirm their school’s exact term dates before booking flights or extended holidays. This is particularly important for private and international schools, which may use approved variations of the national calendar.
Families should also note the longer Eid breaks and the summer holiday when arranging childcare and travel.
Meanwhile, school leaders and educators can use the calendar to plan curriculum delivery, assessment periods, staff development and school activities.
Ultimately, understanding the Saudi school calendar early can help families and schools prepare for the academic year with fewer disruptions.
For more information regarding updates from the Ministry of Education, visit the website below:
Further Reading
- Saudi Arabia Opens School Performance Data to Parents in Landmark Move
- Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Agenda and the African Opportunity Ahead