Back to school 2026 doesn’t start on the same day everywhere: while Spain and Mexico head back in late August and early September, Argentina and Colombia start their new school year in 2027. These are the key dates:
| Country | First day of classes |
|---|---|
| Mexico | Monday, August 24, 2026 |
| Spain | Monday, September 7, 2026 |
| Argentina | Monday, March 1, 2027 |
| Colombia | Wednesday, January 20, 2027 |
How long until back to school? Follow the live countdown:
Time left until back to school:
Dates by country in detail
- Spain: most regions start on September 7, 2026 for kindergarten and primary; secondary schools start the following week. See back to school in Spain.
- Mexico: the 2026-2027 school year begins August 24, 2026 according to the SEP calendar. See back to school in Mexico.
- Argentina: the 2027 school year starts March 1, 2027 in most provinces. See back to school in Argentina.
- Colombia: the 2027 school year begins in mid-January, traditionally January 20. See back to school in Colombia.
- United States: most districts return in the last week of August or the first week of September, varying by state.
The back-to-school ritual
Back to school is one of the biggest spending peaks of the year: uniforms, backpacks, supplies and school tech. In the US, back-to-school spending exceeds $30 billion annually. In Latin America, searches for school supply lists grow more than 300% in the two weeks before classes start.
Frequently asked questions
When do classes start in Spain in 2026? Monday, September 7, 2026, in most regions.
When does the 2026-2027 school year start in Mexico? August 24, 2026.
When does the school year start in Argentina? March 1, 2027.
More dates for the calendar: Children’s Day, Halloween, Christmas and What’s celebrated today?.