Next year’s academic calendar will look noticeably different for NIS students. For the first time, students would be expected to enjoy a February Break, scheduled for February 22nd to 26th, 2027. At the same time, the Songkran break, which takes place in April, has been reduced to 2 weeks. The start and end dates for the school year 2026-2027 will remain roughly the same as previous years, from August 10th, 2026 to June 3rd, 2027. At this stage, the calendar remains provisional, so students should keep an eye out for further changes.
According to the school principal Mr. Ben, the introduction of February Break’s purpose is to align with the academic calendars of other international schools. He explained that many schools have already included a February Break and noted that students often get tired during Quarter 3. This change is intended to address the problem by providing a timely pause in the middle of the quarter.
While some NIS students and teachers responded positively to the new break, some offer a more cautious perspective on the adjustment. For example, Spanish teacher Mr. Carlos shared his thoughts on the new schedule, “I am not completely sure about this change. Since the Songkran break takes place during the smoke season, I think it is a good opportunity for students and teachers to take a break. Also, after a longer break, we will be ready for the next quarter.”
Grade 12 student Abby noted that “Three weeks of holiday provides me with more time for rest and play. The original 3 week break provides plenty of time for students who are taking APs to be prepared for the upcoming AP tests in May.”
On the other hand, some students welcome the new break with enthusiasm, “I think it’s a good decision, because I get exhausted during quarter 3, which is the longest quarter of the year,” said Ian, a grade 11 student.” What’s more, he also pointed out that it would be better if the February break takes place on the Chinese Spring Festival, which occurs before the planned dates for break time. Therefore, students and teachers could show appreciation to Chinese culture.
As the finalized dates are still being decided, some of the NIS community are already reacting to the impacts of their workload and travel plans throughout the year. It is important to stay tuned for the final schedule.