Thousands of families living between the United States and Mexico have already begun to organize trips, moves and vacations for the next school year. The good news is that the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) has already published the calendar for the 2026-2027 cycle, which includes the start and end dates of classes, holidays and the main days without activities.

The calendar will be applicable to public and private schools incorporated into the National Educational System at the preschool, primary and secondary level, with a total of 185 effective class days.

When does the school year start in the US?

More and more families maintain school ties between both countries. Some students spend part of the year in Mexico and part of the year in the United States, while others travel during vacations to visit family.

Knowing the schedule several months in advance makes it easier to buy flights when prices are lower and is useful for those who work in the United States and need to request vacation time well in advance.

The calendar states that:

For many families who reside in the United States but have children enrolled in Mexican schools, these dates are key to coordinate moves, family trips or temporary stays during the summer.

Winter holidays and Easter

The cycle includes two long rest periods:

In addition, during the year there will be class suspensions for sessions of the School Technical Council and official holidays.

Holidays without classes

Among the planned national suspensions are:

Added to these dates are the days without classes due to School Technical Council meetings, delivery of ballots and administrative activities planned by the SEP.

A change that remains

The 2026-2027 cycle retains the modification announced by the SEP to grant an additional week of preparation to teaching staff before the start of classes, so students will return to the classrooms on August 31, maintaining a longer summer vacation period than in previous years.

The start of classes in each state

Unlike Mexico, the United States does not have a national school calendar. Each state and even each school district defines its own start and end dates for school, so the return to classrooms can vary considerably from city to city.

Generally speaking, the fall school year usually begins between mid-August and early September, although there are important differences by region.

Southern states and areas with warm climates, such as Florida, Georgia, Alabama or Texas, usually start the cycle between the end of July and mid-August to complete the semester before the winter break.

Many districts in the Northeast and Midwest maintain the tradition of starting school on the Tuesday following Labor Day, which is the first Monday in September.

Consequently, while some students return to classrooms in early August, others do not do so until the first days of September.

It is best to consult the school district

Because calendars can change even between schools located in neighboring cities, authorities recommend checking directly the official website of the corresponding school district for exact school start dates, holidays, and non-activity days.

This information is especially useful for families living between the United States and Mexico, as it makes it possible to coordinate trips, moves, and the return of students without affecting their school attendance.