DepEd’s three-term school calendar structures the academic year across multiple learning blocks, helping families and educators plan schedules and assessments. This orientation explains how the division into terms aligns instruction, examinations, and holidays under a consistent policy framework.
The table below summarizes key aspects of the three-term structure, including term dates, major assessment points, and holiday highlights for the current school year.
| Term | Calendar Span | Key Academic Milestones | Major Holiday Periods |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | June to October | Quarterly assessments, baseline exams | Independence Day Break, Mid-Term Holiday |
| Second Term | October to January | Periodic tests, national achievement check points | Semester Break, Christmas and New Year |
| Third Term | January to April | Pre-board reviews, final examinations | Spring Break, Araw ng Kagitingan observance |
| Summer Bridge | April to June | Remediation, enrichment, placement tests | Limited holidays, preparation for next year |
Learning Delivery Modes Across Terms
The DepEd three-term calendar accommodates flexible learning delivery, whether face-to-face, blended, or distance modes. Each term may adjust its approach based on local health conditions and resource availability.
Health and Safety Considerations
Health protocols are reviewed each term to ensure that school environments remain safe while maximizing in-person instructional days.
Academic Calendar Planning and Alignment
School heads and teachers use the three-term structure to map lesson pacing, align with competencies, and coordinate collaborative planning sessions. This structure supports coherent progression across grade levels.
Synchronization with National Assessments
National achievement tests and division-level examinations are scheduled to fall after sufficient instructional coverage within each term, allowing reliable measurement of student progress.
Teacher Workload and Continuous Professional Development
By distributing instructional hours and evaluation periods across the three terms, the calendar helps manage teacher workload and creates windows for targeted professional development.
Planning Days and Review Periods
Each term includes designated planning days and review blocks where teachers can analyze student performance data and adjust instructional strategies.
Student Support and Remediation Strategies
The three-term framework enables focused remediation during designated weeks, ensuring that learners who need additional support can catch up without delaying the progress of the whole class.
Parent-Teacher Partnerships
Regular consultation periods are arranged within each term to discuss student performance, set goals, and coordinate support strategies between home and school.
Navigating the Three-Term School Year Effectively
- Track term-specific assessment dates to plan study and review schedules.
- Coordinate with teachers to understand instructional pacing within each term.
- Use holiday breaks for targeted practice and rest to maintain balance.
- Monitor announcements for adjustments to calendars due to health or weather events.
- Engage with parent-teacher meetings to align support strategies across home and school.
FAQ
Reader questions
How are examination weeks distributed across the three terms?
Examinations are scheduled after instructional coverage in each term, with quarterly assessments in the First and Second Terms and pre-board and final exams in the Third Term.
Can schools adjust term dates due to emergencies or disasters?
Yes, DepEd allows date adjustments under exceptional circumstances while still aligning with the authorized number of instructional days and assessment periods.
What happens to enrichment and remediation activities in the three-term structure?
Enrichment sessions are often embedded within the term cycle, while remediation blocks are scheduled based on assessment results to address specific learning gaps. The Summer Bridge runs after the Third Term and before the next school year, focusing on transition activities, placement tests, and readiness programs.