Holy Cross Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

Holy Cross Academic Calendar 2026-2027 serves as the primary administrative guide for students, faculty, and academic departments at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Designed to keep the entire campus community aligned, this schedule outlines critical operational deadlines—including course registration windows, add/drop periods, midterm evaluations, and final exam blocks.

Whether you are an incoming first-year student attending summer orientation, a continuing undergraduate tracking major declaration deadlines, or a family member planning holiday travel, keeping track of the official holy cross academic calendar ensures a smooth and well-prepared academic year.

The College of the Holy Cross operates on a traditional liberal arts semester system comprising a 14-week Fall Semester (August to December) and a 14-week Spring Semester (January to May).

Instead of traditional credit-hour counts used at larger universities, Holy Cross undergraduates’ full-time workload is measured by course units—with students typically enrolling in 4 full courses per term (equivalent to 16 semester hours) toward the 32-course degree requirement.

Each semester includes dedicated study periods prior to final examinations, along with scheduled advising blocks for registration in upcoming terms.

For students planning out the first half of the year, the holy cross academic calendar for fall 2026 kicks off with first-year orientation on August 19, upperclassman move-in on August 23, and the first day of classes on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

The fall schedule features key breaks including Fall Break (October 10–18, 2026) and Thanksgiving Recess (November 25–29, 2026), concluding with final exams from December 9 through December 14, 2026.

Looking ahead to the holy cross academic calendar 2027 term, spring classes commence on Tuesday, January 26, 2027. Students mapping out mid-semester travel can reference the official holy cross spring break 2027 schedule, which runs from March 6 through March 14, 2027 (classes resume March 15).

The spring term also includes Easter Break (March 25–29, 2027), Academic Conference Day on April 28, and final exams ending May 20, leading into Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement on Friday, May 28, 2027.

Utilizing the full holy cross academic calendar 2026-27 helps students navigate their degree path effectively from move-in day to graduation.

Holy Cross Academic Calendar Fall 2026

1. First-year student enrollment begins on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
2. First-year student enrollment ends on Friday, July 17, 2026.
3. Fall 2026 open enrollment continues on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
4. Second-, third-, and fourth-year students can add a fifth class on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
5. First-year students arrive, and orientation begins on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
6. Upper-class students return to campus on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
7. First-Year Student Advising takes place on Monday, August 24, 2026.
8. Holy Cross Fall 2026 classes start on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. It is the first day of classes.
9. The last day to add or drop without a W grade and declare an audit is Monday, August 31, 2026.
10. Labor Day is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026, and classes are held.
11. The last day to declare Pass/No Pass is Friday, September 25, 2026.
12. The last class day before Fall Break is Friday, October 9, 2026.
13. Holy Cross Fall Break 2026 is from Saturday, October 10, 2026, to Sunday, October 18, 2026. Classes resume on Monday, October 19, 2026.
14. The last day to submit plan changes before enrollment is Monday, October 26, 2026.
15. Plan changes resume on Monday, November 23, 2026.
16. The last class day before Thanksgiving Break is Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
17. Holy Cross Thanksgiving Break 2026 is from Wednesday, November 25, 2026, to Sunday, November 29, 2026. Classes resume on Monday, November 30, 2026.
18. The last day to withdraw with a W grade is Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
19. Open enrollment begins on Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
20. Classes end on Friday, December 4, 2026.
21. The study period begins on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
22. Final examinations begin on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, and end on Monday, December 14, 2026.
23. Fall 2026 grades are due by 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2026.

Holy Cross Academic Calendar Spring 2027

1. The Spring 2027 class schedule becomes available, and advising begins on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
2. Spring 2027 enrollment begins on Monday, November 9, 2026.
3. Spring 2027 enrollment ends on Friday, November 20, 2026.
4. Second-, third-, and fourth-year students can add a fifth course on Tuesday, January 12, 2027.
5. Spring 2027 classes begin on Tuesday, January 26, 2027.
6. The last day to add or drop without a W grade and declare an audit is Monday, February 1, 2027.
7. First-year students can declare a major on Monday, February 8, 2027.
8. The last day to declare Pass/No Pass is Friday, February 26, 2027.
9. The last class day before Spring Break is Friday, March 5, 2027.
10. Holy Cross Spring Break 2027 is from Saturday, March 6, 2027, to Sunday, March 14, 2027. Classes resume on Monday, March 15, 2027.
11. The last day to submit plan changes before enrollment is Monday, March 29, 2027.
12. The last class day before Easter Break is Wednesday, March 24, 2027.
13. Holy Cross Easter Break 2027 is from Thursday, March 25, 2027, to Monday, March 29, 2027. Classes resume after Easter Break on Tuesday, March 30, 2027.
14. Academic Conference Day takes place on Wednesday, April 28, 2027, and there are no classes.
15. Plan changes resume on Wednesday, April 28, 2027.
16. The last day to withdraw with a W grade is Tuesday, May 4, 2027.
17. Open enrollment begins on Wednesday, May 5, 2027.
18. Classes end on Monday, May 10, 2027.
19. The study period begins on Tuesday, May 11, 2027.
20. Final examinations begin on Saturday, May 15, 2027, and end on Thursday, May 20, 2027.
21. Senior grades are due by 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 23, 2027.
22. All other grades are due by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2027.
23. The Baccalaureate Mass takes place on Thursday, May 27, 2027.
24. Commencement takes place on Friday, May 28, 2027.
25. Open enrollment ends on Friday, May 28, 2027.

For more on the Holy Cross Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the College of the Holy Cross Calendar website.