How Our Year Works
At Stonewall Forest Academy, we follow a three-term academic year inspired by the Charlotte Mason tradition. Our calendar includes 36 weeks of learning, spread across fall, winter, and spring, with purposeful breaks to keep children and families rested.
Students attend 4 days per week (Mon–Thurs), giving families the structure of a school rhythm with the flexibility of homeschooling. This allows children to learn deeply without rushing and gives families time to rest, travel, pursue interests, or simply be together.
While our school year is slightly longer than the traditional American calendar, the rhythm is designed to feel peaceful, spacious, and sustainable—not stressful or overbooked. A shorter summer season helps prevent learning loss and supports steady progress throughout the year.
A Natural, Sustainable, Family-Friendly Rhythm
This structure allows for:
- Consistent friendships and steady learning without the stop-start feel of once-a-week programs
- Time to rest and recharge with longer, intentional breaks throughout the year
- A true holiday season—a meaningful pause from Thanksgiving through Christmas
- A gentle summer break—long enough to rest, short enough to avoid regression
- Freedom to travel in the off-season, when crowds are low and prices are better
- Support for homeschooling and working parents, with structure, flexibility, and community built in
Schedule Spring 2026
| Period | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 2B — Winter Term (7 Weeks) | January 6, 2026 | February 20, 2026 |
| Spring Break | February 23, 2026 | February 27, 2026 |
| Term 3 — Spring Term (12 Weeks) | March 2, 2026 | May 22, 2026 |
| Short Summer Break (6–7 Weeks) | May 23, 2026 | July 12, 2026 |
| Start of 2026–2027 School Year (Term 1) | July 13, 2026 | — |
Schedule 2026-2027
| Period | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 — Fall Term (12 Weeks) | July 13, 2026 | October 2, 2026 |
| Fall Break | October 5, 2026 | October 9, 2026 |
| Term 2A — Winter Term Before Christmas (6 Weeks) | October 12, 2026 | November 20, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving / Advent Break | November 23, 2026 | December 4, 2026 |
| Term 2B — Winter Term After Christmas (6 Weeks) | December 7, 2026 | January 23, 2027 |
| Christmas / New Year Break | December 21, 2026 | January 1, 2027 (fits within Term 2B) |
| Spring Break | January 26, 2027 | January 30, 2027 |
| Term 3 — Spring Term (12 Weeks) | February 1, 2027 | April 30, 2027 |
| Summer Break (6–7 Weeks) | May 1, 2027 | June 21, 2027 |
| Start of 2027–2028 School Year | June 22, 2027 | — |