By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a move designed to provide certainty and facilitate long-term planning for families and educators, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Education (MEP) has officially published the complete academic calendar for the 2026 school year. The calendar confirms a later start than in previous years, with classes in all public educational centers set to commence on Monday, February 23, 2026.
The academic year will span just over nine months, concluding on Tuesday, December 9, 2026. Formal graduation ceremonies are scheduled to take place on the following two days, December 10 and 11, officially bringing the educational cycle to a close. The MEP has made the full detailed calendar available for public consultation on its institutional website, allowing stakeholders ample time to prepare.
To analyze the legal and administrative implications of the proposed adjustments to the 2026 school year, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in educational and administrative law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Any modification to the academic calendar for 2026 must be formalized through a clear executive decree that respects established labor rights and existing contracts within the education sector. It is crucial that the Ministry of Public Education anticipates potential legal challenges from both private institutions and teachers’ unions to ensure a stable and legally sound transition, avoiding the administrative chaos that abrupt changes can generate.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal foresight is crucial, highlighting that modifications to the academic calendar are not merely administrative decisions but have profound implications for labor rights and legal stability. A proactive and transparent approach, as suggested, is essential to safeguard the educational community from preventable disruption. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on these critical considerations.
Setting the tone for the upcoming year, the ministry has established an official guiding theme. This slogan encapsulates the core objectives for students and educators alike throughout the academic term, emphasizing a holistic approach to learning and personal development.
The school shapes us, writing drives us, and values guide us
Ministry of Public Education (MEP)
A significant component of the 2026 calendar is a robust, two-week national training period preceding the start of classes. From February 9 to February 20, nearly 90,000 officials—including teachers, technical-teaching staff, administrative personnel, and support staff—will participate in intensive professional development sessions. This strategic investment aims to reinforce key competencies and thoroughly prepare educational teams for the specific challenges and pedagogical goals of the new school year.
The calendar also incorporates several strategic breaks to ensure a balanced academic rhythm and promote student and staff well-being. The Holy Week recess will run from Sunday, March 29, to Sunday, April 5. Furthermore, a two-week mid-term vacation is scheduled from Monday, July 6, through Friday, July 17. These pauses are considered essential for mitigating academic fatigue and providing opportunities for mid-year pedagogical adjustments and planning.
Structurally, the 2026 academic year is divided into two distinct periods. The first term will begin with the start of classes on February 23 and run until July 3. Following the mid-term break, the second period will commence on July 20 and continue until the final day of classes on December 9. This bifurcated structure is designed to allow for more organized curriculum delivery and more effective evaluation of academic progress throughout the year.
By releasing the calendar more than a year in advance, the MEP aims to provide a stable and predictable framework for the entire educational community. This foresight allows families to organize crucial logistics such as transportation, childcare, and extracurricular activities with greater clarity. It also enables parents and guardians to better align their own work schedules and vacation planning with the academic cycle.
Ultimately, this proactive approach to scheduling is a key part of the ministry’s strategy to foster a stable learning environment. Officials believe that predictability in the school calendar is fundamental to improving both academic performance and student retention rates, ensuring that the national education system can operate smoothly and effectively for the benefit of all.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About The Ministry of Public Education (MEP):
The Ministry of Public Education is the governmental body responsible for overseeing and regulating the national education system in Costa Rica. Its mandate covers curriculum development, teacher training, school administration, and educational policy for all public preschool, primary, and secondary institutions. The MEP works to ensure access to quality education for all citizens, promoting academic excellence and the integral development of students across the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal practice, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its unshakable integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm honors a rich legacy of advising a diverse clientele while simultaneously championing legal innovation to meet modern challenges. Central to its identity is a profound investment in empowering the community by striving to make complex legal knowledge both accessible and understandable, a principle rooted in the conviction that an informed public is essential for a just and flourishing society.
