2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Seasonal Breaks

Each seasonal break begins on the Sunday of the week following the astronomical season’s start (for Summer and Spring), the same week (for Fall and Winter), and lasts fourteen days, providing students time to recharge before each term.

• Summer Break: June 22, 2025 – July 5, 2025 (Summer solstice is Friday, June 20, 2025 ~10:43 PM EDT)
• Fall Break: September 21, 2025 – October 4, 2025 (Fall equinox is Monday, September 22, 2025 ~2:02 PM EDT)
• Winter Break: December 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026 (Winter solstice is Sunday, December 21, 2025 ~4:03 AM EST).
• Spring Break: March 22, 2026 – April 4, 2026 (Spring equinox is Friday, March 20, 2026 ~10:15 AM EDT).

Federal Holidays

Holidays provide days for students to recharge and reflect, integrated into the calendar to support critical thinking, justice, and leadership.

• Independence Day: July 4, 2025 (observed, within Summer Break)
• Labor Day: September 1, 2025 (first Monday in September)
• Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day: October 13, 2025 (second Monday in October)
• Veterans Day: November 11, 2025 (observed)
• Thanksgiving Day: November 27, 2025 (fourth Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day: December 25, 2025 (observed, within Winter Break)
• New Year’s Day: January 1, 2026 (observed, within Winter Break)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 19, 2026 (third Monday in January)
• Presidents’ Day: February 16, 2026 (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day: May 25, 2026 (last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth National Independence Day: June 19, 2025 (observed, placed at end due to pre-academic year timing)

Notes

• Astronomical Calendar Alignment: The academic year runs from June 20, 2025 (summer solstice), to June 19, 2026 (day before the next solstice), with breaks tied to solstices/equinoxes for repeatability.
• Break Adjustments: Summer and Spring breaks are shifted one week to the right (starting the Sunday after the week of the season’s start). Fall and Winter breaks start the Sunday of the season’s start week.
• Curriculum Integration: Holidays and breaks can be integrated into Moodle LMS to support reflective and leadership-focused activities.
• AI Tutor Support: AI tutors can facilitate activities by asking students to reflect on themes (e.g., “How would you design a Summer Break project to promote civic engagement?”), ensuring personalized learning.
• Campus Operations: As a 24/7 boarding campus, breaks and holidays can include activities like team-building or outdoor skills to maintain engagement.