The structure of the 2026-2027 school year, approved by the Ministry of Education. When do classes start and why isn't it back to September 15th
The opening of the school year, Photo: Inquam Photos / George Călin
The structure of the 2026-2027 school year was approved in its final form by the Ministry of Education and Research. Classes will begin on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will end on June 18, 2027. The school year will have 36 weeks of classes.
- The decision comes after a period of public consultation in which there were proposals to start school on September 15 and to merge or eliminate the “Different School” and “Green Week” programs.
Structure of the 2026-2027 school year
According to the final approved form, the 2026-2027 school year begins on Monday, September 7, 2026, and ends on Friday, June 18, 2027, with a total duration of 36 weeks of classes for most students in pre-university education.
According to the ministry, the calendar was established in such a way as to ensure the full implementation of school programs and the organization of national exams without gaps.
For students in final grades, the structure of the 2026-2027 school year is adapted according to the calendar of national exams. Thus, for the 12th day, 13th evening and reduced attendance classes, the school year will have 34 weeks of classes and will end on June 4, 2027, to allow the organization of the Baccalaureate exam.
In the case of the VIIIth grade, the duration is 35 weeks of courses, and the courses end on June 11, 2027, in order to support the National Assessment. The differences from the standard structure are directly related to the timing of these exams.
Why doesn't school start on September 15, 2026
During the public consultation stage, there were proposals regarding the start of classes on September 15, 2026 and the end of the school year on June 15, 2027, as well as the elimination or merging of the national programs “School differently” and “Green Week”.
The Ministry of Education rejected these options, arguing that “eliminating the programs would not have reduced the total number of weeks, as they are already included in the 36 weeks of courses”.
Also, starting school a week later “would have led to the end of classes on June 25, 2027, instead of June 18, which would have caused the national exams – the 2027 National Assessment and Baccalaureate – to be delayed by one week, with a direct impact on high school and college admissions.”
“We believe that it is in the best interest of the child that the exams are not delayed, given the subsequent stages (admission to high school, respectively admission to college)”, the representatives of the ministry said.
“School differently” and “Green Week” programs in 2026-2027
The national programs “Different School” and “Green Week” will take place between September 7, 2026 and April 23, 2027, being included in the official structure of the school year.
According to the Ministry of Education and Research, these programs “have the role of combining theory with practical applications in everyday life, can include free activities carried out in school, support the socio-emotional development of students and contribute to strengthening the partnership between the school, parents and the community”.
The representatives of the ministry appealed to educational institutions “to capitalize on these opportunities for the benefit of children and the entire educational community.”
Ski holiday in February 2027
The so-called “ski vacation” will be established at the county level, between February 15 and March 7, 2027. The county school inspectorates and that of the municipality of Bucharest will decide the exact vacation week after consultations with students, parents and teachers.
During the public consultation phase it was proposed to reduce the interval to two weeks, but the final form retains “three possible intervals” to choose from, to provide more flexibility at local level. By 1 April 2026, each educational unit will communicate to students and parents the detailed structure of the school year, including these flexible elements.
The holidays in the 2026-2027 school year
In addition to the skiing holiday (one week), students will have the following holidays:
- October 26 – 30, 2026 – Autumn vacation
- December 23, 2026 – January 8, 2027 – Winter break
- April 26 – 30, 2027 – Spring Break
Statutory days off for students in 2026-2027
Students will also benefit from free days established by law, some already included in holidays:
- November 30, 2026 – Saint Andrew
- December 1, 2026 – Romania's National Day
- December 25, 2026 – Christmas
- January 1, 2027 – New Year
- January 6, 2027 – Epiphany
- January 7, 2027 – Saint John the Baptist
- April 30, 2027 – Good Friday
- 3-4 May 2027
- June 1, 2027 – Children's Day
