Saudi Schools Reopen 23 August 2026 for New Year

Students across most of Saudi Arabia return to their classrooms on Sunday, 23 August 2026, marking the start of a new academic year after the summer break. The reopening affects families and pupils in most regions of the Kingdom.

In Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif, the school year starts one week later, on Sunday, 30 August 2026. Parents in these cities should plan around the different start date when preparing routines and transport arrangements.

Ahead of the students' return, administrators and supervisors are scheduled to report back to their schools on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Teachers follow on Sunday, 16 August 2026, giving staff time to prepare classrooms, finalise timetables, and organise the opening weeks.

A two-semester calendar

The academic year continues to run on a two-semester calendar, applied to both the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 planning periods. The structure shapes how terms, breaks, and assessments are spread across the year.

For families, the reopening means a return to early mornings, school-run traffic, and the usual rush for uniforms, stationery, and supplies. Households with children in the earlier-starting regions have an extra week of summer, while those elsewhere begin the routine sooner.

There are no special fees or application steps tied to the reopening itself. Parents are simply encouraged to confirm their child's start date based on their region and to prepare early to make the first days back as smooth as possible.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving