Saudi Schools Reopen for New 1448-1449 Academic Year

Students across most regions of Saudi Arabia return to their classrooms on Sunday 23 August 2026 (10 Rabiʿ I 1448 H), marking the start of the new academic year 1448–1449 H after the summer break. The reopening covers general education students in the majority of the Kingdom's education regions.

Schools in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif will begin a week later, on Sunday 30 August 2026 (17 Rabiʿ I 1448 H), under a two-phase return plan for those regions. Teachers return earlier, on Sunday 16 August 2026 (3 Rabiʿ I 1448 H), to prepare for the year, while school leaders and administrative staff report to campuses a few days ahead of teaching staff.

The new year follows the three-semester system for public schools, with scheduled breaks that include a National Day holiday in late September and a fall break in late November 2026. The end-of-year vacation for the preceding year 1447–1448 H began on 10 Muharram 1448 H (25 June 2026), leading into the 2026–2027 cycle.

Universities and some higher-education institutions follow aligned but separate calendars, with the first semester of 2026–2027 typically beginning in late August 2026 in step with the national school calendar. The current schedule is part of a multi-year plan extending to 1450 H that aims to standardize term lengths, holidays, and exam windows across all education regions.

Families are advised to confirm exact term dates, holidays, and exam periods through the Ministry of Education's official academic calendar, published and updated on the ministry's electronic portal, which remains the primary reference for the school year.

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