The 2025–2026 academic year at Gulliver Preparatory School is designed to support strong academics, balanced wellness, and college readiness across every grade level. The school year includes orientation days, four academic quarters, holiday breaks, standardized testing weeks, senior celebrations, and graduation. Understanding the full year timeline helps families plan travel, study schedules, and milestone events smoothly.
Below is an easy-to-read month-by-month breakdown of the entire school year for Upper School students.
August 2025 — Orientation & First Day of Classes
The school year begins with student orientation before regular instruction:
- Orientation for Grade 9 students takes place over two consecutive days
- Middle School and Upper School students also have a three-day orientation period
- The first official day of school for all students is August 14
August is primarily about settling into the new learning environment, navigating timetables, and adjusting to the rhythm of assignments and extracurricular commitments.
September 2025 — Full Instruction & First Holidays
September is the first uninterrupted month of learning, with important family-focused events:
- September 1 — Labor Day holiday
- September 9 — Back-to-School Night for Grades 9 & 12
- September 16 — Back-to-School Night for Grades 10 & 11
- September 23 — Rosh Hashanah holiday
After the holiday break, instruction continues normally, giving students time to build strong academic habits before the first quarter ends.
October 2025 — Standardized Testing & Conclusion of Quarter 1
October is a milestone month with academic assessments and the first quarter cut-off:
- October 2 — Yom Kippur holiday
- October 15 — Testing and grade-specific activities
- Grade 9: Student activity day
- Grades 10 & 11: PSAT testing
- Grade 12: Mission project submission
- October 16 — End of Quarter 1
- October 17 — Teacher Workday (no school for students)
- October 20 — Start of Quarter 2
- October 29 — Testing and college preparation
- Grade 9: Activity day
- Grades 10 & 11: Mock ACT testing
- Grade 12: Mission Submission 2.0
Students in grades 10 and 11 should use this month to reflect on PSAT and ACT-style results when planning long-term study strategies for college entrance exams.
November 2025 — A Calm Month Leading Into Thanksgiving
November begins with regular teaching and then shifts into a well-timed break before final exams approach:
- November 24–28 — Thanksgiving Recess
After Thanksgiving, students return for the final weeks of Quarter 2. Completing class tasks early can make December less stressful.
December 2025 — Major Testing, Celebrations & Winter Break
December is both academically important and festively eventful:
- December 10 — Special events by grade
- Grades 9 & 10: CTP standardized testing
- Grade 11: College retreat
- Grade 12: Senior Appreciation Day
- December 13 — End of Quarter 2
- December 17 — Senior Activity Day
- December 19 — Early Dismissal
- December 22–31 — Winter Recess
Many families travel during Winter Recess. Students should submit assignments and catch up on coursework before the break.
January 2026 — Start of a New Quarter
After the New Year celebrations:
- January 1–2 — Winter Recess continues
- January 5 — Classes resume & Quarter 3 begins
- January 19 — Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
January is academically important because many long-term research projects and performance-based assessments begin during Quarter 3.
February 2026 — Mid-Year Holiday Break
Students receive a much-needed rest toward the middle of the third quarter:
- February 16–20 — Presidents’ Day Recess
Before the break, teachers often schedule mid-quarter progress checks. Students should stay organized to return refreshed and on track.
March 2026 — Transition to Quarter 4
March includes major academic progression and the beginning of spring break:
- March 13 — End of Quarter 3
- March 16 — Start of Quarter 4
- March 30–31 — Start of Spring Recess
Quarter 4 begins quickly after Quarter 3 concludes, making March ideal for resetting academic goals before the final semester push.
April 2026 — Spring Recess Continues & Professional Development Day
April features a blend of student rest and planning for the last stretch of the year:
- April 1–3 — Spring Recess continues
- April 6 — Professional Development Day (no school)
After returning from break, Quarter 4 moves quickly toward senior activities and final assessments.
May 2026 — Senior Events & Final Days of the School Year
May is the busiest and most emotional month of the year:
- May 17 — Grad Bash for Grade 12
- May 20 — Class of 2026 Graduation (tentative)
- May 22 — Last Day of School for Grades 1–11 with Early Dismissal
- May 25 — Memorial Day holiday
- May 26–29 — Teacher Workdays (students off)
After the last student day, faculty complete professional development and post-session activities.
Academic Planning Advice for Families
To make the most of the 2025–26 school year:
- Note quarter end dates to anticipate exam cycles and assignment loads
- Schedule family travel during holiday breaks rather than instructional days
- Prepare early for October and December testing windows
- Juniors should build college application timelines starting in October
- Seniors should note all milestone events related to Mission submissions and graduation
- Encourage students to use recesses for rest, not catch-up work whenever possible
Quick Calendar Snapshot (At a Glance)
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 14, 2025 |
| Thanksgiving Recess | November 24–28 |
| Winter Recess | December 22–January 2 |
| Presidents’ Day Recess | February 16–20 |
| Spring Recess | March 30–April 3 |
| Graduation (tentative) | May 20, 2026 |
| Last Day of School Grades 1–11 | May 22, 2026 |
Final Thoughts
The 2025–2026 academic calendar at Gulliver Preparatory School is thoughtfully structured to balance instructional rigor with student well-being. With planned recesses, professional development days, and quarter transitions positioned thoughtfully throughout the year, the calendar supports both academic progress and healthy recovery time. For students and families who plan ahead, this structure makes it possible to enjoy a successful, productive, and memorable school year.