The Department of Education and Science of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) has published the recommended structure for the 2026–2027 academic year for capital schools, gymnasiums, and lyceums. According to a report cited by RBC-Ukraine, classes in most Kyiv educational institutions will begin on September 1, 2026. The document outlines not only the academic calendar but also mechanisms to compensate for educational losses and special conditions for children forced to remain outside Ukraine.
Semester structure and key dates
Most Kyiv schools operate on a semester system, which serves as the basis for the approved structure. The first semester is recommended to run from September 1 to December 23, 2026, and the second from January 11 to May 28, 2027. Thus, a winter break is scheduled between semesters from December 24 to January 10. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine previously established the general framework for the academic year — from September 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027 — confirmed by Interfax-Ukraine and Ukrinform. Specific dates for the end of the school year, the 'Last Bell' ceremony, and the start of summer holidays are determined independently by each school, taking into account the operational situation.
Additional holidays and the 'Last Bell'
For first-graders, who are experiencing the full educational process for the first time, additional holidays are scheduled from February 15 to 21, 2027. This decision aims to reduce the burden on the youngest students in the middle of the second semester. The 'Last Bell' in capital schools is recommended to be held on May 28, 2027 — the last day of the second semester. However, the KCSA emphasizes that the academic year does not necessarily end immediately after this date: an additional compensatory period opens for educational institutions.
Compensatory period: from May 31 to June 30
From May 31 to June 30, 2027, Kyiv schools will be able to conduct classes and other activities primarily aimed at overcoming educational losses accumulated during the full-scale war. The KCSA clarifies that during this period, additional and compensatory classes, individual and group consultations, educational excursions, project work, and the activities of so-called 'educational clubs' are permitted. According to department representatives, these clubs are intended to help students catch up on missed material, deepen their knowledge, and develop research skills. The format of work during this period remains flexible and is determined individually by each educational institution.
Safety and flexibility of the learning format
The KCSA explicitly states that the final format of education will depend on the security situation. The structure of the academic year and the form of classes — in-person or remote — may be adjusted depending on the operational situation. This means that the approved calendar is recommended rather than mandatory: in the event of the introduction or lifting of restrictions related to martial law, schools have the right to adapt the schedule and methods of work. A similar principle is enshrined at the level of the Cabinet of Ministers, which determined the framework dates but left specific decisions to the educational institutions.
Children abroad and psychological support for teachers
Special attention in the new academic year is planned for children who are outside Ukraine due to the full-scale war. For them, a Ukrainian studies component is provided in capital schools, which should help maintain a connection with the Ukrainian language, culture, and history. Furthermore, the KCSA recommends that schools pay special attention to psychological support and the mental health of teachers, who have been working under high loads and stress for several years. Thus, the structure of the 2026–2027 academic year in Kyiv is built taking into account both academic and humanitarian tasks, prioritizing not only mastering the curriculum but also restoring the educational potential undermined by the war.
