When does the school year start and end in 2026?

Are you asking about Russian schools or some other system?

In Russia, the standard school year starts on September 1st and ends at the end of May. In 2026, September 1st falls on a Tuesday, so classes start on that day. Summer break begins around June 1st and lasts until the end of August, but the exact end date can vary slightly depending on the school and region.

Throughout the year there are usually four quarters with breaks between them. Fall break falls in October-November, winter break is the longest - about two weeks in December-January. Spring break happens in March-April. The exact dates for breaks are set by each region and school individually, so it's best to check the calendar at your specific school - they'll definitely know and usually post it on the website or give it to parents at the beginning of the year.

The main thing is to check with your school, because even though the general framework is the same, the specific dates of school breaks and the last bell vary by region! In 2026, the basic schedule is like this: classes start on September 1st (Tuesday) and end in late May 2027. Four terms with breaks between them - autumn, winter, spring holidays plus summer.

But here's the catch! The dates of the holidays are set at the regional or even school level, and they can differ. For example, autumn break in one area might start a week earlier than in the neighboring one. The same goes for the number of days - somewhere it's a week, somewhere it's two! Plus, some schools add extra days off or change the schedule depending on holidays.

So don't just rely on the general calendar - check your school's website or call the administration! They'll post the exact schedule of terms and holidays specifically for you. It'll take two minutes, but then you won't have any date surprises!

The school year in Russia really does start on September 1 (which is a Tuesday in 2026) and ends in late May, but here's the catch - there's no single unified schedule. It all depends on the region and the school 😅 There are federal recommendations, but each region of Russia sets its own dates for holidays, exams, and the last bell separately. So your best bet is to check directly with your child's school, where there should be an official calendar for 2026 - 2027 posted up - that'll have the exact dates for fall, winter, and spring breaks and when the school year actually ends.