The academic calendar of Lake Forest College is based on two 15-week semesters (14 weeks of classes plus a 5-day final exam period), from late August through mid-December and from mid-January to early May. Students normally take four course credits per semester (the equivalent of 16 semester hours). All courses run for 15 weeks.
Three summer sessions offer a number of courses, the great majority being taught by regular members of the College’s faculty. Each session is four weeks in length, during which a student may enroll in a single course.
Fall Semester 2025
Thursday, August 21
Classes begin
Friday, August 29
Last day to add or drop a class
Monday, September 1
Labor Day holiday (no classes)
Thursday, October 16–Friday, October 17
Fall break (no classes)
Monday, October 20
Classes resume
Friday, October 31
Intent to graduate form due (fall/spring/summer potential graduates)
Tuesday, November 4
Election day (no classes)
Friday, November 7
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Monday, November 10–Friday, November 14
Spring Registration begins (first year)
Tuesday, November 18, 2025–Friday, January 9, 2026
Registration begins (all students)
Wednesday, November 26–Friday, November 28
Thanksgiving break (no classes)
Monday, December 1
Classes resume
Friday, December 5
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Saturday, December 6–Sunday, December 7
Reading days
Monday, December 8–Friday, December 12
Final exams
Friday, December 12
End of term
Spring Semester 2026
Monday, January 12
Classes begin
Monday, January 12–Monday, January 19
Instructor authorization is required for students to add courses
Monday, January 19
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes)
Tuesday, January 20
Last day to add or drop a class
Monday, March 9–Friday, March 13
Spring break (no classes)
Monday, March 16
Classes resume
Wednesday, March 18
Registration Period #1 (18 or more credits)
Tuesday, March 24
Registration Period #2 (10 or more credits)
Thursday, March 26
Registration Period #3 (fewer than 10)
Friday, April 3
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Tuesday, April 7
Student Symposium (no classes)
Tuesday, April 28
Last Day of Classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Wednesday, April 29
Reading day
Thursday, April 30–Friday, May 1
Final exams
Saturday, May 2–Sunday, May 3
Reading days
Monday, May 4–Wednesday, May 6
Final exams
Wednesday, May 6
Exams end
Saturday, May 9
Commencement
Summer 2026
Learn more about the Summer Session at Lake Forest College.
May Term
Tuesday, May 12
Classes begin
Thursday, May 14
Last day to add or drop a class
Friday, May 22
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Monday, May 25
Memorial day (no classes)
Tuesday, May 26
Classes resume
Thursday, June 4
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Friday, June 5
Final exams/End of session
June Term
Monday, June 8
Classes begin
Wednesday, June 10
Last day to add or drop a class
Thursday, June 18
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Friday, June 19
Juneteenth (no classes)
Wednesday, July 1
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Thursday, July 2
Final exams/End of session
July Term
Monday, July 6
Classes begin
Wednesday, July 8
Last day to add or drop a class
Thursday, July 16
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
Wednesday, July 29
Last Day of Classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
Thursday, July 30
Final exams/End of session