In Ukraine, the 2025/2026 academic year will last until June 30, but each school determines the actual date for the end of classes independently. UNN explains what parents need to pay attention to during this time.
End of the school year: key dates parents and students need to know
According to the government decree, the 2025/2026 academic year in Ukrainian schools was established from September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This decision is in effect during martial law and takes into account the need to organize learning flexibly depending on the security situation in the regions.
The Ministry of Education and Science explains that June 30 is the deadline for the end of the academic year. The structure of the school year, including the date for the end of classes and the start of holidays, is determined by the pedagogical council of each school separately. This takes into account the realities of education during intensive hostilities in Ukraine. That is why in some institutions lessons may end in late May, while in others — in June.
The decision depends on the academic load, the security situation, the well-being of students, the readiness of teachers, as well as whether the school needs to compensate for educational losses. In June, the institution may conduct consultations, individual lessons, project days, or educational excursions. This is a right of the school, not a mandatory requirement for all educational institutions.
How the order on the end of the school year is formed
The procedure for ending the school year is formalized at the level of the specific educational institution. Usually, the school makes a decision at a pedagogical council, after which the administration prepares a corresponding order. It may specify the date for the end of classes, the procedure for final assessment, the schedule for the last bell ceremony, the deadlines for issuing educational documents, and the organization of consultations or additional classes.
Such an order must take into account national decisions, recommendations from the Ministry of Education and Science, decisions of local authorities, and the actual working conditions of the school.
End of the school year: what changes for students
At the end of the school year, students complete the study of curriculum material, receive final grades, and move on to the next grade. For some students, this period is also associated with consultations, clearing academic debts, completing projects, or additional classes.
For students in grades 4, 9, and 11, another regulation is important in 2026: they have been exempted from taking the State Final Examination (DPA). The corresponding changes are stipulated by the law regarding the DPA and the 2026 admission campaign.
Graduates of the 11th grade who plan to enter higher education institutions should focus not on the DPA, but on the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT). The main sessions of NMT-2026, according to data from the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment, take place from May 20 to June 25, with additional sessions from July 17 to 24. The results of the main session should be posted in the participants' personal accounts by July 3.
For younger students, the school year concludes with the presentation of achievement certificates. For middle and high school students, it ends with annual grades, decisions on promotion to the next grade, or the completion of the corresponding level of education.
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The Last Bell in Ukraine: what needs to be taken into account
The date of the Last Bell ceremony in Ukraine is not the same for all schools. It is determined by the educational institution taking into account its own schedule, the format of learning, and the security situation. Under war conditions, some schools hold final events in person, while others do so online or in a hybrid format.
It is important for parents to clarify in advance whether there will be a Last Bell ceremony, in what format it will take place, whether the child needs to be present, and whether separate events are planned for graduating classes. It is also worth checking if consultations, textbook returns, or other organizational matters are scheduled after the festivities.
It is important for schools during this period not to overburden students with formal events.
What needs to be done before the end of the school year
Before the end of the school year, parents should check several things.
First and foremost — the dates determined by the school: the last day of classes, the day of final events, deadlines for issuing documents, the schedule of consultations, and the procedure for returning textbooks.
It is also worth finding out the child's final grades and clarifying if there are any incomplete assignments, missed tests, or tasks that affect the annual result. If a child has gaps in learning and assessment, it is better to resolve this before the official end of the school year to avoid spoiling the summer holidays later.
Separately, attention should be paid to documents. Parents of graduating students need to clarify the deadlines for receiving certificates of education, the procedure for processing documents, and, if necessary, information regarding the admission campaign. For students transferring to another school, the transfer procedure should be clarified in advance.
In any case, the most important thing for parents is to follow the educational institution's announcements, close organizational issues on time, and help the child finish the year without unnecessary stress.
Reminder
On May 20, the main session of NMT-2026 started in Ukraine. The testing includes four subjects and lasts for two blocks of 120 minutes each. During an air raid siren, the exam is suspended so that children and teachers can proceed to a shelter.