| Event | UAE Ministry of Education Calendar | Sharjah Private Schools — SPEA Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Start of the academic year | 31 August 2026 | 31 August 2026 |
| October mid-term break | 12–18 October 2026; return 19 October | Follow SIA’s published school calendar |
| Winter break | 14 December 2026–3 January 2027; return 4 January | 14–31 December 2026; return 4 January 2027 |
| Spring break | 5–11 April 2027; return 12 April | 5–8 April 2027; return 12 April 2027 |
| Last day for students | 2 July 2027 | 1 July 2027 |
For SIA families: Use the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) calendar alongside SIA’s school announcements. The Ministry of Education dates provide a national reference. Its break ranges above include the weekends before classes resume.
Understanding the UAE school calendar 2026–2027 helps parents arrange childcare, travel and study time. For families at Scholars International Academy (SIA) in Sharjah, planning also means checking the local calendar and the arrangements for their child’s year group.
This guide explains the main term dates, winter and spring breaks, public holidays and the following academic year’s schedule, with the differences relevant to Sharjah clearly identified.
Understanding the UAE School Calendar and Sharjah’s Dates
The Ministry of Education publishes an academic framework for public schools and private schools following its curriculum. Sharjah’s private schools operate under SPEA’s calendar and local requirements.
The SPEA school calendar used here covers Sharjah private schools other than those following Indian and Pakistani curricula. Families at SIA should read it together with the SIA school timings and calendar and the school’s direct communications.
This distinction matters when reading general UAE holiday guides: a date published for the national framework should not automatically be treated as a confirmed SIA closure.
Term Dates for SIA Families in 2026–2027
The following table shows the published term starts and the next major break or end-of-year milestone in the Sharjah calendar.
| Term | Start or Return Date | Next Major Calendar Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 31 August 2026 | Winter break begins 14 December 2026 |
| Term 2 | 4 January 2027 | Spring break begins 5 April 2027 |
| Term 3 | 12 April 2027 | Last day for students: 1 July 2027 |
These dates follow SPEA’s published calendar for the relevant Sharjah private schools.
SIA uses phased entry at the beginning of the year, so the academic year’s opening date is not necessarily every learner’s first attendance date.
Parents should check the school timetable for assessments, induction sessions and any arrangements affecting their child’s class before booking travel.
UAE School Winter Break 2026–2027
The national calendar gives winter break as 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with classes resuming on 4 January 2027.
For Sharjah private schools covered by SPEA’s calendar, the formally listed winter-break dates are 14–31 December 2026. The scheduled return is also Monday 4 January 2027.
The difference is in how the period is presented. SIA lists its school week as Monday to Thursday, so 1–3 January falls before the next scheduled school day. The full period before classes resume therefore extends through 3 January, even though SPEA’s listed winter break ends on 31 December.
When organising a family trip, use the return date to plan the journey home and leave enough time to prepare for the first morning back.
If you are considering SIA for your child, book a school tour before the winter break to explore our facilities and learn more about our approach to education.
October Mid-Term Break and Spring Break
Does the October Mid-Term Break Apply to SIA?
The Ministry of Education’s national calendar lists a mid-term break from 12 to 18 October 2026, with classes resuming on 19 October. Sharjah private schools follow separate arrangements.
SIA’s published 2026–2027 events calendar includes activities during 12–14 October, including a book fair and a parent-teacher meeting. Parents should therefore follow SIA’s own announcements rather than assume that the national October break is a school holiday at SIA.
Any February half-term arrangements should also be checked directly with the school.
Spring Break in Sharjah in 2027
SPEA lists spring break as 5–8 April 2027, with classes resuming on Monday 12 April 2027.
The broader national calendar shows 5–11 April, including the weekend before the return to school. For SIA families, the key planning points are the start of the break on 5 April and the scheduled return on 12 April.
If arranging a holiday camp or childcare, check whether the booking covers only the school weekdays or also includes the following weekend.
Last Day of School in Sharjah
The published final day for students in the relevant Sharjah private-school calendar is Thursday 1 July 2027.
The Ministry of Education’s national framework lists 2 July 2027. SIA families should use the Sharjah date and the school’s confirmed arrangements when planning the end of the year.
An examination finishing earlier does not necessarily mean a learner’s attendance has ended. Check the school’s instructions about final activities, assessments and collection arrangements before choosing a departure date.
Public Holidays During the Academic Year
Public holidays should be checked alongside term dates. The UAE Government’s holiday list gives the National Day holiday as 2 and 3 December, while New Year’s Day falls on 1 January.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, National Day falls during Term 1 and 1 January 2027 falls within the period before students return from winter break.
The Gregorian dates of Islamic holidays, including Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha and Hijri New Year, depend on the lunar calendar and official announcements. Any provisional dates should be checked against government confirmation and SIA’s subsequent notices.
Parents should follow the school’s confirmed closure and return dates when arranging childcare or travel around these holidays.
Starting the School Year at SIA
SIA’s published 2026–2027 calendar provides the following opening arrangements:
| Date | Published SIA Arrangements |
|---|---|
| 31 August 2026 | Induction for EYFS parents; Years 1, 2, 7, 10 and 12 begin school |
| 1 September 2026 | EYFS induction activities; scheduled attendance for Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 12 |
| 2 September 2026 | EYFS induction continues; all Primary and Secondary learners return |
These arrangements are listed on the school’s current timings and calendar page.
Families with children in different year groups should check each child’s instructions separately. For younger learners, induction arrangements may also involve specific arrival times or parent sessions. Families joining for the first time can follow the SIA admissions procedure to secure a place ahead of the term start.
UAE School Calendar 2027–2028: Key Dates
The next academic year begins on 30 August 2027 in both the national reference calendar and SPEA’s calendar for the relevant Sharjah private schools.
| Event | UAE Ministry of Education Calendar | Sharjah Private Schools — SPEA Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Start of the academic year | 30 August 2027 | 30 August 2027 |
| Winter break | 13 December 2027–2 January 2028 | 13–30 December 2027 |
| Return after winter break | 3 January 2028 | 3 January 2028 |
| Spring break | 27 March–2 April 2028 | 27–30 March 2028 |
| Return after spring break | 3 April 2028 | 3 April 2028 |
| Last day for students | 30 June 2028 | 29 June 2028 |
The national break ranges include the following weekends, while SPEA lists the dates relevant to Sharjah’s school week. Parents should check SIA’s published arrangements for the new academic year as these become available.
Planning the Year at SIA
Keep the school’s calendar and messages together with your child’s assessment timetable. This makes it easier to distinguish general holiday dates from class-specific events and attendance requirements.
Families planning tuition payments alongside the academic year can review the SIA school fees. If you are considering a move to Sharjah or joining the school during the year, contact the SIA admissions team to discuss entry arrangements and the appropriate start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026–2027 academic year begin in Sharjah?
The published start date is 31 August 2026. SIA uses phased opening arrangements, so parents should check the first attendance date for their child’s year group.
When do students return after winter break in 2027?
The scheduled return under SPEA’s calendar is 4 January 2027. Families should also follow any instructions issued directly by SIA.
Is 12–18 October 2026 a confirmed SIA holiday?
It should not be assumed to be one. Those dates belong to the Ministry of Education’s national mid-term schedule, while SIA’s published calendar includes school events during that week.
Is spring break 5–8 April or 5–11 April 2027?
SPEA lists 5–8 April as the official break for the relevant Sharjah private schools. Including the following weekend takes the period through 11 April, with classes resuming on 12 April.
Does the school year end on 1 or 2 July 2027?
SPEA’s relevant Sharjah private-school calendar lists 1 July 2027 as the final day for students. 2 July is the end date in the Ministry of Education’s national framework.
When does the 2027–2028 academic year begin?
The published start date is 30 August 2027. SIA’s own calendar will provide the arrangements for individual year groups.