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
First day of classes
Thursday, August 28
Last day for permissible change of registration
Monday, September 1
Labor Day - OFF - No classes
Thursday, September 18
Academic Concerns reminder
Thursday, October 16
No classes on fall break
Friday, October 17
No classes on fall break
Monday, October 13
Classes resume
Tuesday, November 4
Election Day - OFF - No classes
Friday, November 7
Last day for withdrawal with automatic W and last day for Pass/No Pass registration
Wednesday, November 26
No classes on Thanksgiving break
Thursday, November 27
No classes on Thanksgiving break
Friday, November 28
No classes on Thanksgiving break
Monday, December 1
Classes resume
Friday, December 5
Last day of classes
Saturday, December 6
Reading day
Sunday, December 7
Reading Day
Monday, December 8
Final exams begin
Tuesday, December 9
Final exams
Wednesday, December 10
Final exams
Thursday, December 11
Final exams
Friday, December 12
Exams end
Wednesday, December 17
Grades Due
Spring Semester 2026
Monday, January 12
First Day of Classes
Monday, January 19
MLK Day - OFF - No classes
Tuesday, January 20
Last day for permissible change of registration
Tuesday, February 10
Academic Concerns reminder
Monday, March 9
No classes on spring break
Tuesday, March 10
No classes on spring break
Wednesday, March 11
No classes on spring break
Thursday, March 12
No classes on spring break
Friday, March 13
No classes on spring break
Monday, March 16
Classes resume
Friday, April 3
Last day for withdrawal with automatic W and last day for Pass/No Pass registration
Tuesday, April 7
No classes on student symposium day
Tuesday, April 28
Last day of classes
Wednesday, April 29
Reading day
Thursday, April 30
Finals begin
Friday, May 1
Final exams
Saturday, May 2
Reading day
Sunday, May 3
Reading day
Monday, May 4
Final exams
Tuesday, May 5
Final exams
Wednesday, May 6
Exams end
Thursday, May 7
Senior Grades Due
Saturday, May 9
Commencement
Monday, May 11
Non-Senior Grades Due
Summer 2026
Learn more about the Summer Session at Lake Forest College.
May Term
Tuesday, May 12
Summer 1 term begins
Thursday, May 14
Last day for permissible change of registration and Pass/No Pass registration
Friday, May 22
Last day for withdrawal with automatic W
Monday, May 25
No class on Memorial Day
Thursday, June 4
Last day of classes
Friday, June 5
Summer 1 term final exams
June Term
Monday, June 8
Summer 2 term begins
Wednesday, June 10
Last day for permissible change of registration and Pass/No Pass registration
Thursday, June 18
Last day for withdrawal with automatic W
Friday, June 19
No class on Juneteenth
Wednesday, July 1
Last day of classes
Thursday, July 2
Summer 2 term final exams
Friday, July 4
No classes on July 4th
July Term
Monday, July 6
Summer 3 term begins
Wednesday, July 8
Last day for permissible change of registration and Pass/No Pass registration
Thursday, July 16
Last day for withdrawal with automatic W
Wednesday, July 29
Last day of classes
Thursday, July 30
Summer 3 term final exams