DepEd: Classes to start June 8, end April 8 under 3-term calendar

The Department of Education (DepEd) has released the official school calendar for School Year 2026–2027, with classes set to begin on June 8, 2026, and end on April 8, 2027.

The new calendar formalizes the shift to a three-term structure in basic education as part of reforms aimed at improving lesson pacing and addressing learning gaps.

Under the plan, the school year will run for 201 class days and will be divided into three terms, each consisting of an opening period, an instructional phase, and end-of-term activities.

Three-term structure

The first term will start with initial school activities from June 8 to 11, followed by regular classes beginning June 15 until early September, and concluding with assessments and related activities in mid-September.

The second term will run from mid-September to early December, with end-of-term activities scheduled before the holiday break.

Classes will resume in January for the third term, which will run until late March, followed by final assessments and closing activities in early April 2027.

DepEd said the revised structure aims to distribute learning periods more evenly across the school year while providing dedicated time for assessment and recovery.

The department added that the three-term calendar is part of a broader reform package that includes adjustments to assessment systems, streamlined lesson planning, and expanded learning recovery efforts such as the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program.

Officials said the approach is designed to support sustained learning, reduce disruptions, and help teachers better manage instructional time.

The new school calendar will be implemented nationwide in public schools starting School Year 2026–2027.

DepEd said private schools may adopt the three-term structure, provided they comply with the required number of school days set by the department.—MCG, GMA News