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 2026
August 27
Classes begin
September 4
Last day to add or drop a class
September 7
Labor Day holiday (no classes)
October 15–October 16
Fall break (no classes)
October 19
Classes resume
October 30
Intent to graduate form due (fall/spring/summer potential graduates)
November 3
Election day (no classes)
November 13
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
November 9–November 13
Spring Registration begins (first year)
November 17, 2026–January 15, 2026
Registration begins (all students)
November 25–November 27
Thanksgiving break (no classes)
November 30
Classes resume
December 11
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
December 12–December 13
Reading days
December 14–December 18
Final exams
December 18
End of term
Spring Semester 2027
January 19
Classes begin
January 19–January 26
Instructor authorization is required for students to add courses
January 18
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes)
January 26
Last day to add or drop a class
March 15–March 19
Spring break (no classes)
March 22
Classes resume
March 24
Registration Period #1 (18 or more credits)
March 30
Registration Period #2 (10 or more credits)
April 1
Registration Period #3 (fewer than 10 credits)
April 9
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
April 13
Student Symposium (no classes)
May 4
Last Day of Classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
May 5
Reading day
May 6–May 7
Final exams
May 8–May 9
Reading days
May 10–May 12
Final exams
May 12
Exams end
May 15
Commencement
Summer 2027
Learn more about the Summer Session at Lake Forest College.
May Term
May 18
Classes begin
May 20
Last day to add or drop a class
May 28
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
May 31
Memorial day (no classes)
June 1
Classes resume
June 10
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
June 11
Final exams/End of session
June Term
June 15
Classes begin
June 17
Last day to add or drop a class
June 18
Juneteenth (no classes)
June 24
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
July 5
No classes for 4th of July
July 8
Last day of classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
July 9
Final exams/End of session
July Term
July 12
Classes begin
July 14
Last day to add or drop a class
July 22
Last day to register for Pass/No Pass option
August 4
Last Day of Classes/Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade
August 5
Final exams/End of session