On September 1, 2026, Ukrainian schools begin the new academic year with a package of significant changes affecting both the grading system and the structure of upper secondary education. According to the press service of Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science, provided in a blitz interview for RBC-Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers previously updated four state standards of general secondary education, forming the regulatory basis for all key innovations of the current year.
Update of state standards and the transition period
One of the central decisions was to secure the possibility for students who were not taught under the "New Ukrainian School" (NUS) program to complete grades 10 and 11 under the 2011 standard. The Ministry of Education and Science (MES) emphasized: "Those who studied not under the NUS program will complete grades 10 and 11 under the program with which they began." Thus, the state ensures a smooth transition without forcibly changing the educational trajectory for current students. In addition, common basic curricula are provided for institutions offering profile secondary education, while a separate curriculum has been approved for specialized education institutions. A Ukrainian studies component has also been established for certain categories of children.
Simplification of the grading system for grades 5–9
From the new academic year, changes take effect in the procedure for recording current grades for students in grades 5–9. According to the MES clarification, current grades can now be recorded in the journal without the mandatory indexes of result groups, and one grade per subject or integrated course is sufficient for a semester. The ministry notes that this decision is aimed at reducing the administrative burden on teachers and simplifying documentation in schools, while preserving the basic principles of objective assessment of academic achievements.
Pilot of the upper profile school: 150 academic lyceums
From September 1, 2026, 150 academic lyceums across Ukraine begin operating under a new model of education in grades 10–12, piloting so-called upper profile school. As part of the trial, these institutions are testing new curricula, profiles, and elective courses. Based on the results of the pilot phase, the MES plans to adjust all necessary regulatory decisions, while simultaneously assisting communities and institutions across the country in preparing the network of academic lyceums for the nationwide launch of the profile upper school, scheduled for September 1, 2027.
Integration of children with IDP status: new procedure from 2027
A separate direction of the reform was the update of the Procedure for Recognizing the Learning Outcomes of Students and Youth with Internally Displaced and Forcibly Displaced Status (IDP). The document, approved by MES Order No. 338, enters into force on January 1, 2027. The ministry notes that the updated procedure "significantly simplifies and accelerates the integration of schoolchildren and youth into the Ukrainian educational space," which is particularly relevant given the ongoing displacement of the population.
Context: 12-year education and further steps
All the changes listed above are embedded in the broader process of Ukraine's transition to 12-year education, the timing of whose full implementation was previously reported in open sources. The current academic year 2026/2027 is, in essence, transitional: it simultaneously completes one cycle of standards and launches the pilot mechanisms of the next one. For the teaching community and parents, the key reference point remains the date of September 1, 2027 — the moment when the upper profile school is to begin operating on a nationwide scale.
