Hill School Families

Critical Dates Calendar

Please click the button below to view a printable PDF of the 2026-27 Critical Dates calendar. Please scroll down to view important notes regarding the long weekend breaks and recesses for the academic year. 

The Hill School considers class attendance an integral part of the learning process, both for the individual and the class as a whole. Therefore, students must attend their last class, take their last examination, participate in co-curricular activities, and meet every other required commitment as scheduled before departing for a weekend, Long Weekend, or Recess. Students will not be excused to miss classes and/or commitments and should speak to their co-curricular director about departures.

Families are to adhere to the following departure dates and times on the Critical Dates Calendar when planning travel, either by Hill Transportation or commercial. Please also keep the following travel times (from Hill) in mind as public transit is booked, including air travel:

  • Philadelphia Airport (PHL)/30th Street Amtrak Station: Three hours
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Five hours
  • John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK): Six hours

If assistance is needed, families should contact Hill Transportation at transportation@thehill.org prior to making arrangements.

Important Notes for 2026-27 Academic Year

Long Weekend Leaves

Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Fall Family Long Weekend: Students depart campus after their last commitment. Hill transportation departs at 10 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. (for students who have afternoon commitments). Dorms close at 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | Dorms open at 3 p.m. Varsity practice begins at 4 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:15 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2026 | Classes resume.

Friday, February 5, 2027 | Winter Long Weekend: Students depart campus after 12:30 p.m. and/or following their last commitment. Hill transportation departs at 1 p.m. Dorms close at 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2027 | Dorms open at 3 p.m. Varsity practice begins at 4 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | Classes resume.

Friday, March 26, 2027 | Easter Weekend: (The School will remain open during the holiday weekend due to its proximity to Spring Recess) Students may depart after 12:30 p.m. and/or following their last commitment. (Note: There may be required athletic competitions on this day, and students should speak with their coach at the beginning of the season.) Sunday, March 28, 2027 | Boarding students may return by 10 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2027 | Boarding Students must return by 9:15 a.m. Classes resume.

Friday, April 16, 2027 | Spring Long Weekend: (Long Weekend does not align with religious holidays.) Students depart campus after 12:30 p.m. and/or following their last commitment. Hill transportation departs at 1 p.m. Dorms close at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | Dorms open at 3 p.m. Varsity practice begins at 4 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2027 | Classes resume.

School Recesses

For the Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Recesses, students may depart campus following their last class and/or commitment on the scheduled date. However, it is important to note that dorms will remain open and Hill Transportation will not depart until the next day, as noted below:

Thursday, November 19, 2026 | Thanksgiving Recess: Students may depart campus after 3:30 p.m. and/or following their last commitment. Friday, November 20, 2026 |  Hill Transportation departs at 10 a.m. Dorms close at Noon. Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | Dorms open at Noon. Varsity practice begins at 4 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | Classes resume.

Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | Winter Recess: Students may depart campus after 2 p.m. and/or following their last commitment. (Note: There are many required co-curricular commitments on this day.) Thursday, December 17, 2026 |  Hill Transportation departs at 10 a.m. Dorms close at Noon. Tuesday, January 5, 2027 | Dorms open at Noon. Varsity practice begins at 4 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2027 | Classes resume.

Thursday, March 4, 2027 | Spring Recess: Students may depart campus after 3:30 p.m. and/or following their last commitment. Friday, March 5, 2027 |  Hill Transportation departs at 10 a.m. Dorms close at Noon. Tuesday, March 23, 2027 | Dorms open at Noon. Varsity practice at 4 p.m. Boarding students return by 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, 2027 | Classes resume.

Summer Departure

*Summer Departure dates are modified from previous years.

Friday, May 28, 2027 | Summer Recess: Third form and fourth form students may depart after 11 a.m. and/or following their last commitment. Fifth form and Commencement performers may only depart campus on Saturday after Commencement.

Saturday, May 29, 2027 | All remaining students depart after Commencement, no earlier than 2 p.m. Hill Transportation departs at 2 p.m. Campus Gates open at 2 p.m. Dorms close at 5 p.m.