At a glance
- Classes started
- 23 August 2026 (10/3/1448)
- Second semester
- 17 January 2027 (9/8/1448)
- Eid al-Fitr break
- From 25 Feb, back 14 March 2027
- Eid al-Adha break
- From 6 May, back 23 May 2027
- Last day
- 24 June 2027 (19/1/1449)
Saudi school calendar 1448 (2026-27) with Gregorian dates
| Event | Hijri date | Gregorian date |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers return | Sunday 3 Rabi al-Awwal 1448 | 16 August 2026 |
| First semester classes begin | Sunday 10 Rabi al-Awwal 1448 | 23 August 2026 |
| National Day holiday (2 days) | 11 and 12 Rabi al-Akhir 1448 | Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September 2026 |
| Autumn break (9 days) | From 9 Jumada al-Akhirah 1448 | After classes on Thursday 19 November; back Sunday 29 November 2026 |
| Mid-year break (9 days) | From 29 Rajab 1448 | After classes on Thursday 7 January 2027 |
| Second semester classes begin | Sunday 9 Shaban 1448 | 17 January 2027 |
| Founding Day holiday (2 days) | 14 and 15 Ramadan 1448 | Sunday 21 and Monday 22 February 2027 |
| Eid al-Fitr break (16 days) | From 18 Ramadan 1448 | After classes on Thursday 25 February; back Sunday 14 March 2027 |
| Eid al-Adha break (16 days) | From 29 Dhu al-Qadah 1448 | After classes on Thursday 6 May; back Sunday 23 May 2027 |
| End of the school year | Thursday 19 Muharram 1449 | 24 June 2027 |
Source: the approved calendar as published by Okaz on 13 July 2026, with holiday lengths from Okaz on 16 August 2026. Checked October 2026. Hijri dates follow the official calendar; Eid dates can shift by a day with moon sighting.
A two-semester year
The ministry approved the 1448 calendar on a two-semester system. The first semester runs from late August to early January with two short breaks; the second runs from mid-January to late June and is broken up by Founding Day and the two Eid holidays. Ramadan falls almost entirely inside the second semester, from about 8 February to 8 March 2027.
The long Eid breaks matter for planning. Students lose about two and a half weeks in late February and early March, and another two and a half weeks in May, so the second semester has less continuous teaching time than the calendar dates suggest.
Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif
Okaz reported that the calendar is different for four education departments: Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif. In recent years the difference has been linked to the Hajj season, mainly around the Eid al-Adha break. Families in those cities should check the dates their own education department announces rather than relying on the national table above.
Private and international schools
Private schools teaching the national curriculum normally work to the ministry calendar. International schools teaching British, American, IB or Indian curricula publish their own term dates within the ministry's rules, which may not match the national breaks. Always check your school's calendar, especially before booking travel around the Eid breaks.
External exams do not move with the Saudi calendar. AP exams fall on 3 to 14 May 2027, during the Eid al-Adha break for many schools, and the Cambridge and Edexcel summer series runs from late April into June.
Exam periods to plan around
| Exam | When |
|---|---|
| First semester finals (national curriculum) | Final weeks before the mid-year break, early January 2027 |
| Second semester finals (national curriculum) | Final weeks of June 2027, before 24 June |
| Qudurat and Tahsili | Several windows across the year, set by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission |
| AP exams | 3 to 14 May 2027 |
| IGCSE and A Level summer series | Late April to June 2027 |
Exact final exam timetables are issued by the ministry and schools each semester. See our pages on Saudi secondary final exams and on Qudurat and Tahsili dates.
How tutoring fits the Saudi year
The breaks are good moments for catch-up and exam preparation, particularly the mid-year break before the second semester and the weeks before Qudurat or Tahsili. One or two online lessons a week keep a student on track without filling the holiday, and lessons can move to Ramadan-friendly times after iftar. Arabic-speaking tutors are available for some subjects; ask when you book.
Common questions
When did the 1448 school year start in Saudi Arabia?
Classes began on Sunday 23 August 2026 (10 Rabi al-Awwal 1448). Teachers returned a week earlier, on 16 August.
Is the 1448 school year two or three semesters?
Two. The first semester ends with the mid-year break in January, and the second semester starts on Sunday 17 January 2027.
When is the Eid al-Fitr break 1448 for schools?
It starts after classes on Thursday 25 February 2027 (18 Ramadan 1448), and students return on Sunday 14 March 2027.
When does the school year end?
Thursday 24 June 2027, which is 19 Muharram 1449.
Can my child have lessons during the holidays or Ramadan?
Yes. LiveTutor lessons are online, one to one and 60 minutes, at $15 each on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons. Lessons can be cancelled or rescheduled at no cost 48 hours or more ahead.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.