Background on Claudia Sheinbaum: Claudia Sheinbaum is the current Head of Government of Mexico City, serving as the city’s equivalent of a mayor. As part of her administration, she has been instrumental in shaping educational policies, including the recent announcement regarding the school calendar.
The New School Calendar
The Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) has officially released the school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year in basic education, which includes pre-school, primary, and secondary levels. This school year consists of 185 instructional days, five fewer than previous years due to the addition of an extra month-long summer vacation for both teachers and students.
Rationale Behind the Changes: This initiative stems from Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidency, aiming to provide educators with a more extended period of rest. The belief is that this additional time off will help teachers maintain a healthier emotional and professional balance, indirectly benefiting students as well.
Vacation Periods
- Winter Break: From Monday, December 22, 2025, to Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
- Easter Holidays: From Monday, March 30, to Friday, April 10, 2026. Classes resume on Monday, April 13.
Holidays and Bridge Days
The calendar specifies the following days when classes will be suspended:
- Tuesday, September 16 – Independence Day
- Monday, November 17 – Revolution Day
- Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Thursday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
- Monday, February 2 – Constitution Day
- Monday, March 16 – Benito Juárez’s Birthday
- Friday, May 1 – Labor Day
- Tuesday, May 5 – Battle of Puebla Day
- Friday, May 29 – Teacher’s Day
Consejo Técnico Escolar (CTE) Meetings
Every last Friday of the month will see a suspension of classes for teacher meetings. Confirmed dates are:
- September 26, 2025
- October 31, 2025
- November 28, 2025
- January 30, 2026
- February 27, 2026
- March 27, 2026
- May 29, 2026
- June 26, 2026
Prior to the commencement of the school year, teachers will participate in intensive CTE sessions from August 25 to 29. Additionally, on January 7, 2026, there will be an intensive workshop for administrative staff, while January 8 and 9 will host an intensive workshop for teaching personnel.
Other Notable Activities
On September 8, 2025, there will be a “Awareness Day” focusing on the severity of sexual abuse and child mistreatment.
Registration Details:
- Enrollment for pre-school, first grade of primary, and first grade of secondary for the 2026-2027 cycle will take place from February 3 to 13, 2026.
- Grade registration will occur on November 14, 2025, March 13, and July 3, 2026.
Normal Education and Teacher Training: These institutions dedicated to teacher training for basic education will have 190 instructional days.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main change in the 2025-2026 school calendar? An extra month of summer vacation has been added for teachers and students, reducing the total instructional days from 235 to 185.
- Who proposed this change, and why? The proposal came from Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration with the aim of ensuring teachers have a more balanced emotional and professional life, which in turn benefits students.
- When are the scheduled vacations and holidays? Winter break spans from December 22, 2025, to January 6, 2026. Easter holidays fall between March 30 and April 10, 2026. Various holidays are listed, including Independence Day, Revolution Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Constitution Day, Benito Juárez’s Birthday, Labor Day, Battle of Puebla Day, and Teacher’s Day.
- What are the CTE meeting dates? Teacher meetings will be held on the last Friday of each month: September 26, October 31, November 28, January 30, February 27, March 27, May 29, and June 26, 2026. Intensive workshops are scheduled for August 25-29, January 7, and January 8-9, 2026.
- What are the registration details for the 2026-2027 school cycle? Enrollment for pre-school, first grade of primary, and first grade of secondary will occur from February 3 to 13, 2026. Grade registration is set for November 14, 2025, March 13, and July 3, 2026.
