TL;DR: DepEd's school year 2026-2027 opens Monday, June 8, 2026, and closes Thursday, April 8, 2027, running 201 class days under a new three-term calendar set by DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026 — replacing the old four-quarter system. Christmas break runs December 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with classes resuming January 4. There's no more standalone "semestral break" between terms; DepEd replaced it with shorter end-of-term assessment blocks.
What changed in the DepEd school calendar for SY 2026-2027?
DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026 replaced the four-quarter calendar that public schools had used since the K-12 transition with a new three-term structure, beginning with school year 2026-2027.
This guide gives you a comprehensive month-by-month breakdown of the DepEd school calendar for SY 2026-2027, covering everything from enrollment periods and school opening to term breaks, holidays, and graduation season. We also address how private school calendars differ and what parents should prepare before the first day of classes.
Note: SY 2026-2027 is the first school year under DepEd's new three-term calendar. The dates below reflect DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026 and subsequent DepEd announcements. Always verify with your school or the official DepEd website for the latest confirmed dates, as adjustments can occur due to natural disasters, health emergencies, or policy changes.
What is the DepEd school calendar for SY 2026-2027, month by month?
School year 2026-2027 runs 201 class days, from Monday, June 8, 2026 to Thursday, April 8, 2027, per DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026. Enrollment runs May 4–29, 2026 and Christmas break runs December 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
| Month | Key Dates and Events |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Oplan Balik Eskwela enrollment period runs May 4–29, 2026, ahead of the new, earlier school opening. |
| June 2026 | Brigada Eskwela (National Schools Maintenance Week) runs June 1–5, 2026. School opening: Monday, June 8, 2026. Term 1's opening block runs June 8–11; regular Term 1 classes begin June 15. |
| July 2026 | Term 1 instructional period continues. |
| August 2026 | Term 1 continues. Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month). National Heroes Day (August 31, 2026 — regular holiday, per Proclamation No. 1006). |
| September 2026 | Term 1 instructional period ends September 1, 2026, with Term 1 exams held August 28–September 1. End-of-term activities run September 2–15. Term 2 instructional period begins September 16, 2026 — no standalone October break follows. |
| October 2026 | Term 2 continues uninterrupted. Unlike the old four-quarter calendar, the new three-term calendar has no dedicated October break. |
| November 2026 | Term 2 continues. All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 1–2). Bonifacio Day (November 30 — regular holiday). |
| December 2026 | Term 2 exams held December 3–4. End-of-term activities run December 7–18. Christmas break begins December 19, 2026. Rizal Day (December 30 — regular holiday). |
| January 2027 | Christmas break continues through January 3, 2027. Term 3 instructional period begins January 4, 2027. |
| February 2027 | Term 3 continues. EDSA People Power Anniversary (February 25). |
| March 2027 | Term 3 instructional period ends March 23, 2027, with Term 3 exams held March 22–23. Final assessments and closing activities run March 24–April 8. |
| April 2027 | End-of-School-Year rites held April 6–7, 2027. School year closes Thursday, April 8, 2027 — 201 class days after the June 8 opening. |
| May–June 2027 | Summer break. DepEd has not yet released the SY 2027-2028 calendar or enrollment dates as of this writing. |
What is DepEd's three-term school calendar?
DepEd's three-term school calendar, set by DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026, replaced the old four-quarter calendar starting SY 2026-2027 and covers 201 class days from June 8, 2026 to April 8, 2027. Term 1 instruction begins June 15, 2026, Term 2 on September 16, 2026, and Term 3 on January 4, 2027. Each term is built from three blocks: an opening block, an instructional block, and an end-of-term block for assessments and closing activities — there is no more standalone week-long "semestral break" between terms.
| Term | Instructional Period | End-of-Term Block |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | June 15 – September 1, 2026 (opening block June 8–11) | September 2–15, 2026 |
| Term 2 | September 16 – December 4, 2026 | December 7–18, 2026 |
| Term 3 | January 4 – March 23, 2027 | March 24 – April 8, 2027 |
Report cards are issued after each term's end-of-term block. Parent-teacher conferences are typically scheduled during or immediately after these end-of-term periods, which are shorter and more assessment-focused than the old quarter breaks.
Which Philippine holidays fall during the 2026-2027 school year?
Philippine holidays inside SY 2026-2027 are set for 2026 by Proclamation No. 1006, s. 2025, and the regular holidays within the school year include National Heroes Day (August 31, 2026), Bonifacio Day (November 30, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026) and Rizal Day (December 30, 2026). Regular and special non-working holidays affecting the school calendar:
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ninoy Aquino Day | August 21, 2026 | Special Non-Working Day |
| National Heroes Day | August 31, 2026 | Regular Holiday |
| All Saints' Day | November 1, 2026 | Special Non-Working Day |
| All Souls' Day | November 2, 2026 | Special Non-Working Day |
| Bonifacio Day | November 30, 2026 | Regular Holiday |
| Feast of the Immaculate Conception | December 8, 2026 | Special Non-Working Day |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Regular Holiday |
| Rizal Day | December 30, 2026 | Regular Holiday |
| New Year's Day | January 1, 2027 | Regular Holiday |
| Chinese New Year | February 6, 2027 (estimated) | Special Non-Working Day |
| EDSA Revolution Anniversary | February 25, 2027 | Special Non-Working Day |
| Araw ng Kagitingan | April 9, 2027 | Regular Holiday |
| Maundy Thursday | March 25, 2027 (estimated) | Regular Holiday |
| Good Friday | March 26, 2027 (estimated) | Regular Holiday |
| Black Saturday | March 27, 2027 (estimated) | Special Non-Working Day |
| Labor Day | May 1, 2027 | Regular Holiday |
| Independence Day | June 12, 2027 | Regular Holiday |
Islamic holidays (Eid'l Fitr, Eid'l Adha) are also observed as regular holidays nationwide. Dates vary each year based on the Islamic lunar calendar and are confirmed by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.
Note: Labor Day (May 1, 2027) and Independence Day (June 12, 2027) fall after SY 2026-2027's April 8 closing date, so they don't actually affect this school year's class days — they're listed here for calendar completeness. Movable 2027 holidays (Chinese New Year, Holy Week) are estimates; Malacañang has not yet issued the official 2027 holiday proclamation as of this writing.
How do private school calendars differ from the DepEd calendar?
Private schools are not required to follow DepEd's three-term calendar: DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026 binds public schools, which open June 8, 2026, while private schools may keep a quarter, trimester or semester system and set their own dates. The key differences:
| Factor | Public Schools | Private Schools |
|---|---|---|
| School Opening | Follows DepEd mandate — June 8, 2026 for SY 2026-2027 | May open earlier or later, depending on the school |
| Calendar Type | Three-term system (per DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026) | May keep a quarter, trimester, or semester system — DepEd's three-term calendar isn't mandatory for private schools |
| Breaks | Follows DepEd-mandated end-of-term and Christmas break periods | May have different break schedules |
| Enrollment Period | May 4–29, 2026 (Oplan Balik Eskwela) | Varies; some start enrollment as early as January |
| Graduation | April 2027 — End-of-School-Year rites held April 6–7, ahead of the April 8 closing | Varies by school |
| Summer Classes | Limited | Commonly offered for remedial or advanced credit |
Private schools are required to submit their school calendar to DepEd for approval, but they have more flexibility in scheduling. International schools often follow entirely different calendars — some operate on a September-to-June schedule aligned with American or European systems.
Tip: If your child attends a private school, request the school-specific calendar directly from the registrar or admissions office during enrollment. Do not assume they follow the DepEd public school calendar exactly.
What should parents prepare before school opens?
Parents enrolling a child for SY 2026-2027 need enrollment documents, a budget for supplies, uniforms and daily allowance, and a home routine settled before the June 8, 2026 opening.
Documents for Enrollment
- PSA Birth Certificate (original and photocopy)
- Report Card / Form 138 from previous school year
- Certificate of Good Moral Character
- 2x2 and/or 1x1 ID photos (bring extras)
- Proof of address (utility bill or barangay certificate)
- Immunization records (for kindergarten and Grade 1)
- Learner Reference Number (LRN) — check your child's previous report card
Budget Planning
Even at free public schools, parents spend money on:
- School supplies: Notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, folders — budget ₱1,500-₱3,000
- Uniforms: ₱1,500-₱3,000 for a full set (PE uniform included)
- Shoes: ₱500-₱2,000
- Bag: ₱500-₱2,000
- Daily allowance (baon): ₱50-₱150/day for 200 school days = ₱10,000-₱30,000/year
- Transportation: Varies by distance; budget ₱1,000-₱3,000/month if commuting
- School projects and contributions: ₱1,000-₱3,000/year for materials and activities
Before the First Day
- Visit the school during Brigada Eskwela to see the facilities and meet teachers
- Label all your child's belongings (bag, lunch box, water bottle, notebooks)
- Establish a morning routine — practice wake-up times and breakfast schedules a week before school starts
- Set up a study area at home with good lighting and minimal distractions
- For new students transferring schools, visit the campus with your child so they know the layout
What is Brigada Eskwela and how can parents help?
Brigada Eskwela is DepEd's annual community mobilization program, typically held 2-3 weeks before school opening; for SY 2026-2027 it runs June 1–5, 2026. Parents, alumni, local government, and community volunteers come together to clean, repair, and prepare school facilities.
This is not just a cleanup drive — it is an opportunity to:
- See your child's classroom condition firsthand
- Meet fellow parents and build a support network
- Talk informally with teachers and school administrators
- Contribute to improving the learning environment
Participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Even a few hours of painting, cleaning, or organizing can make a meaningful difference, especially in public schools that face maintenance backlogs.
What happens when classes are suspended by a typhoon?
When a typhoon, flood, earthquake or health emergency forces a class suspension, the local government unit — the city or municipal mayor — makes the call, and DepEd may recover the lost days by extending the school year or adding Saturday make-up classes. What parents should know:
- Class suspension authority: The local government unit (city/municipal mayor) has the authority to suspend classes due to weather or disasters.
- DepEd make-up classes: When too many school days are lost, DepEd may extend the school year or add Saturday make-up classes.
- Flexible learning: Since the pandemic, DepEd has maintained systems for printed modules and online learning as backup during extended suspensions.
- Stay informed: Follow your school's official communication channels (Facebook page, group chat) and DepEd's regional social media accounts for real-time announcements.
How can parents make the school year go smoothly?
- Mark key dates on your calendar now. Transfer the end-of-term dates, parent-teacher conference schedules, and holiday dates to your phone or wall calendar.
- Communicate regularly with teachers. Do not wait for problems. Build a relationship with your child's adviser early in the school year.
- Monitor report cards after each term. Address academic issues during the end-of-term breaks, not at the end of the school year when it is too late.
- Prepare financially for each term. Project expenses and set aside money for school projects, field trips, and supplies that come up during the year.
- Support your child's well-being. The school year is long and can be stressful. Regular check-ins about how your child feels — not just their grades — make a difference.
Sources
- DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026 — Guidelines on the Implementation of the Three-Term School Calendar in Basic Education
- GMA News Online — EXPLAINER: How new three-term school calendar will work for SY 2026-2027
- DZRH — DepEd: School Year 2026-2027 to start June 8, end April 8
- Teach Pinas — DepEd Three-Term School Calendar SY 2026-2027 (term exam dates, Brigada Eskwela, Oplan Balik Eskwela)
- Proclamation No. 1006, s. 2025 (2026 regular holidays and special non-working days)
