Dubai: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has set the academic calendar for private schools in Dubai for the 2026–2027 school year, in line with the UAE government’s approved school calendar.The calendar establishes the start and end dates of the academic year, official school holidays and breaks, while requiring schools to meet the minimum number of instructional days. Private schools in Dubai will follow one of two academic schedules depending on whether they operate on a September or April calendar.September calendar schoolsPrivate schools that begin their academic year in September will welcome students on August 31, 2026.For schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum, the first-semester mid-term break will begin on October 12, 2026, with students returning to classes on October 19.The winter holiday will run from December 14, 2026, with classes resuming on January 4, 2027.The spring break will begin on April 5, 2027, and students will return to school on April 12.The academic year will conclude on July 2, 2027. Schools following the September calendar must provide a minimum of 185 instructional days during the academic year.Key datesSchool year begins: August 31, 2026First-semester mid-term break: October 12–18, 2026Winter break: December 14, 2026–January 3, 2027Spring break: April 5–11, 2027School year ends: July 2, 2027Minimum school days: 185April calendar schoolsPrivate schools operating on an April academic calendar will follow a different schedule.Their academic year began on April 6, 2026, before the summer holiday starts on July 6. Students will return to school after the summer break on August 31, 2026.This date marks an important point in Dubai’s school calendar, as it is also the first day of the new academic year for September-calendar schools. As a result, both academic tracks will be operating simultaneously from the end of August.April-calendar schools will observe their winter break from December 14, 2026, with students returning to classes on January 4, 2027.The academic year will end between March 15 and March 31, 2027, depending on the school’s schedule, provided that the required minimum of 182 instructional days is met.Key datesAcademic year began: April 6, 2026Summer break begins: July 6, 2026Classes resume: August 31, 2026Winter break: December 14, 2026–January 3, 2027Academic year ends: March 15–31, 2027Minimum school days: 182Two academic tracks in DubaiThe 2026–2027 calendar reflects the different academic systems followed by Dubai’s private schools. While September-calendar schools will run through July 2027, April-calendar schools will complete their academic year by the end of March 2027.Despite the difference in academic-year structures, the two calendars share several major holiday periods, including the winter break. August 31, 2026 will also serve as the key crossover date between the two systems, with September-calendar schools beginning their new academic year while April-calendar schools return from their summer holiday.Schools must adhere to the approved calendar and ensure that they meet the required minimum number of school days for their respective academic track.
