PRIVATE schools have the option to begin classes for the School Year (SY) 2025-2026 on June 16, mirroring the start date for public schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced Monday.
However, DepEd clarified that private institutions retain the autonomy to set their own academic calendars, provided they adhere to the School Calendar Law.
This law mandates that the school year commence on the first Monday of June but no later than the last day of August. The DepEd’s proposed calendar for SY 2025-2026, as detailed in DepEd Order No. 12, Series of 2025, sets the start date as June 16, 2025, and the end date as March 31, 2026. This marks a return to the pre-pandemic academic schedule.
The recently concluded SY 2024-2025 ended on April 15. The upcoming school year, SY 2025-2026, will comprise 197 school days, remaining within the legal limit of 220 class days.
