School Year Calendar Guide
International schools in Dubai follow a typical Western calendar, often mirroring term times and holiday times in the UK or USA. On top of these, they are also closed for the UAE bank holidays. The exact dates of these are announced in the local press just before they are due to begin. Summer holidays are also long, reflecting the fact that most people leave Dubai during July and August, the hottest months of the year.
The following academic calendar is typical. There is variation, however, from school to school.
| Fall Term 2010 | |
| Sunday 5th / Wednesday 15th September | Term begins |
| Sunday 12th September – Tuesday 14th September | Eid-Al-Fitr Public Holiday* |
| Tuesday 16th November – Thursday 18th November | Eid-Al-Adha Public Holiday* |
| Wednesday 1st December – Thursday 2nd December | National Day Public Holiday |
| Tuesday 7th December | Hijri New Year Public Holiday* |
| Monday 20th December | Term ends |
| Spring Term 2011 | |
| Sunday 9th January | Term begins |
| Wednesday 16th February – Sunday 20th February | Half term (including the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) |
| Thursday 31st March | Term ends |
| Summer Term 2011 | |
| Monday 18th April | Term begins |
| Wednesday 1st June – Thursday 2nd June | Half Term (at some schools) |
| Thursday 30th June | Term ends |
* All Islamic holidays are subject to confirmation
