As Mexican schools reopen Monday, August 26 for the 2019-2020 academic year, students head into 190 days of classroom time, broken up by numerous days off for civic holidays, vacation periods and monthly staff meetings called Technical Scholastic Councils (CTE).
The official calendar corresponds to the basic education system encompassing three levels (pre-school, primary grades one through six and three grades of secondary school).
The first break will be the September 13 through 16 puente (extended weekend), coinciding with a CTE on Friday and the celebration of Independence Day the following Monday. The next CTE comes up Friday, October 4.
Classes will be suspended for the November 15-18 puente wrapping in a CTE on Friday and Monday’s Revolution Day holiday. The Christmas vacation period runs from Friday, December 20 through Monday, January 7.
A CTE and commemoration of the 1917 Constitution double up for a puente Friday, January 31 through Monday, February 3. The same scheme is repeated March 13 through 16, tied to the birthday of beloved President Benito Júarez.
The ten-day 2020 Easter vacation break falls April 6 though 17. A puente marked for May 1-5, includes time off for May Day, a CTE and the Cinco de Mayo Battle of Puebla holiday.
Classes are also called off for Teacher’s Day, May 15, and June 5 for a CTE. The last school day falls on Monday, July 6, leading into a summer vacation break through late August.