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Planning ahead for your child’s education? The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has released the official academic calendar for Dubai’s private schools for the 2025-2026 academic year. This comprehensive guide covers all key dates, term times, and holiday periods for both April-start and September-start schools. With Dubai’s education sector experiencing significant growth, staying informed about the academic calendar is more important than ever for families.

Understanding Dubai’s Dual Academic Calendars

Dubai’s education system accommodates diverse international communities through two distinct academic schedules:

• September-start schools: Following Western curricula (British, American, IB)
• April-start schools: Aligned with Indian, Pakistani, and Japanese curricula

This dual approach helps families transition smoothly from their home countries’ educational systems while maintaining high educational standards across all Dubai private schools.

Academic Calendar for Schools Starting in September 2025

Schools following British, American, and IB curricula operate on a September-to-June academic year. Here are the confirmed key dates for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Key Date	Description
Monday, 25 August 2025	First day of school year
Monday, 15 December 2025	Start of winter break
Monday, 5 January 2026	Resumption after winter break
Monday, 23 March 2026	Start of spring break
Monday, 6 April 2026	Resumption after spring break
Monday, 13 April 2026	Resumption for MoE curriculum schools
Friday, 26 June 2026 (or later)	End of academic year

Many schools incorporate additional breaks such as half-term holidays in October and February, though these dates vary between institutions. Parents should verify specific dates with their children’s schools.

Academic Calendar for Schools Starting in April 2025

Schools following Indian, Pakistani, and Japanese curricula operate on an April-to-March academic year. Here are the confirmed dates:

Key Date	Description
Monday, 7 April 2025	First day of academic year
Monday, 30 June 2025	Start of summer break
Monday, 25 August 2025	Resumption after summer break
Monday, 15 December 2025	Start of winter break
Monday, 5 January 2026	Resumption after winter break
March 2026 (specific date varies)	End of academic year

Schools starting in April may adjust their academic year end date in March 2026, provided they fulfill the KHDA requirement of 182 instructional days.

Important Notes on School Days and Holidays

Minimum School Days Requirement

All private schools in Dubai must provide a minimum of 182 instructional days per academic year, as mandated by the Ministry of Education. This requirement applies regardless of curriculum or academic schedule. For more information about the UAE educational system, check out our UAE School Calendar 2024-2025 guide.

Public Holiday Scheduling

While the academic calendar provides fixed term dates, public holidays tied to Islamic events (such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) are confirmed closer to their occurrence, as they depend on moon sightings.

Ramadan 2025-2026 Impact on School Hours

Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin around 28 February or 1 March 2025 and end around 30 March 2025. During this period:

• School days are typically shortened to approximately five hours
• Many schools operate from 8-9am until 1-2pm
• Friday lessons must conclude by 12pm

For April-start schools, Ramadan will coincide with the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, while for September-start schools, it will fall during the spring term of the 2024-2025 academic year.

School-Specific Calendar Variations

While schools must adhere to the main term dates established by KHDA, they have flexibility in scheduling:

• Staff training days
• Phased return periods at the start of terms
• Mid-term/half-term breaks
• Exact daily timings

These variations accommodate specific curriculum requirements, examination periods, and community needs.

How to Access Your School’s Specific Calendar

Parents can access their child’s school calendar through the KHDA website:

1. Visit the KHDA Education Directory
2. Enter your school’s name in the search box
3. Select your school from the results
4. Click on the “Academic Calendar” tab

This provides detailed information on term dates, breaks, and any school-specific holiday arrangements for the entire academic year.

Planning Tips for Parents

Coordinate Family Schedules Early

With the 2025-2026 academic calendar now available, families can plan ahead for:

• Family holidays and travel arrangements
• Work schedules during school breaks
• Childcare arrangements during non-school periods
• Summer camps and holiday activities
• Finding homes in Dubai’s best neighbourhoods near top schools

Consider Ramadan Planning

For families observing Ramadan, the shortened school hours may require adjustments to daily routines. Non-observing families should be mindful of cultural sensitivities during this period, especially regarding eating, drinking, or scheduling activities during daylight hours.

Track Holiday Updates

While term dates are fixed, public holidays linked to Islamic observances may shift based on moon sightings. Schools communicate these updates to parents once officially confirmed by UAE authorities.

Conclusion

The Dubai school calendar for 2025-2026 provides a structured framework for educational planning while accommodating diverse curricula and cultural observances. By familiarising themselves with these dates, parents can better support their children’s educational journey and plan family activities accordingly.

Parents should also note that Dubai’s educational landscape continues to evolve, with exciting developments such as new Harrow schools set to open in 2026, adding to the emirate’s prestigious educational options.

Remember that while this guide provides the official KHDA calendar framework, individual schools may have slight variations in their specific schedules. Always verify exact dates with your child’s school administration for the most accurate information.

This article was last updated on 6 May 2025. Information is subject to change based on official announcements from UAE education authorities.