Dordt College
Also known as: Dordt
5 Star Employer Ranking
700 7th St NE, Sioux Center, IA 51250, USA
Also known as: Dordt
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Student Orientation | 20 August 2025 | Welcoming new students with campus tours, advising, and faith integration sessions. |
| 📚 | First Day of Fall Classes | 25 August 2025 | Start of fall semester with classes in various majors. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day Holiday | 1 September 2025 | No classes; time for rest and community service. |
| 🍂 | Fall Break Begins | 10 October 2025 | Short break for midterm recovery. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Starts | 26 November 2025 | Extended break for family and gratitude reflection. |
| 🏁 | Last Day of Fall Classes | 12 December 2025 | End of regular classes before finals. |
| 📝 | Fall Finals Week | 15 December 2025Start of week | Exam period for fall semester. |
| ❄️ | Winter Break Begins | 20 December 2025 | Holiday season break. |
| 🌱 | Spring Semester Starts | 13 January 2025 | Beginning of spring classes. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 20 January 2025 | Holiday with service events. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break | 10 March 2025Start | Week-long break for travel or rest. |
| ✝️ | Easter Break | 18 April 2025 | Observance of Good Friday and Easter. |
| 🎓 | Last Day of Spring Classes | 2 May 2025 | Conclusion of spring term. |
| 🧠 | Spring Finals Week | 5 May 2025Start | Final exams period. |
| 🎊 | Commencement Ceremony | 10 May 2025 | Graduation for completing students. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Begins | 19 May 2025 | Optional summer courses start. |
Are you planning on applying to Dordt next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at Dordt. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | Early Action Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Submit for early consideration. |
| 🗓️ | Regular Decision Deadline | 1 February 2026 | Standard application cutoff. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Priority Deadline | 1 December 2025 | For financial aid. |
| 📬 | Admission Decisions Released | 15 March 2026 | Notifications sent. |
| ✅ | Enrollment Deposit Due | 1 May 2026 | Secure your spot. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 1 April 2026 | For transferring students. |
| 🌍 | International Student Deadline | 15 December 2025 | Visa considerations. |
| 🏆 | Scholarship Application Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Apply for funding. |
The academic calendar at Dordt College serves as the foundational framework for the entire educational experience at this private Christian institution located in Sioux Center, Iowa. As a Reformed Christian college, Dordt integrates faith-based principles into its scheduling, ensuring that the rhythm of the academic year aligns with both educational goals and spiritual observances. Typically structured around two main semesters—fall and spring—with an optional summer session, the calendar provides a predictable yet flexible structure that supports rigorous academic pursuits while allowing time for reflection, community engagement, and personal growth. This setup is common among U.S. liberal arts colleges but is uniquely tailored at Dordt to emphasize holistic development, including service learning and chapel attendance, which are woven into the fabric of campus life. Historically, Dordt College's academic calendar has evolved from its founding in 1955 as a small agricultural school to a comprehensive university offering over 40 majors. Early calendars were heavily influenced by the farming cycles of the Midwest, with breaks designed to accommodate harvest seasons and family obligations. Over time, as the institution grew, the calendar adapted to include more diverse programs, such as engineering and business, while maintaining its commitment to Christian worldview education. Compared to larger state universities in Iowa, like the University of Iowa, Dordt's calendar is more compact, with shorter breaks that encourage on-campus community building rather than extended travel. This approach impacts students by fostering a tight-knit environment where faith integration is daily, rather than sporadic. For prospective students, understanding the academic calendar is crucial during the admissions process, as it highlights key periods for campus visits, orientation, and enrollment. International students, in particular, benefit from knowing how U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving align with the schedule, allowing them to plan travel and cultural adjustments. The calendar also accommodates various term lengths, including intensive January interim sessions that offer unique experiential learning opportunities, such as study abroad or internships. Faculty and staff rely on it for planning syllabi, research, and professional development, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities like sustainability and community service. Parents and families use the calendar to coordinate visits and support their students, especially around breaks that offer respite from academic demands. In a broader context, Dordt's calendar reflects national trends in higher education, such as emphasizing mental health through strategic breaks, while incorporating locale-specific elements like Iowa's winter weather considerations. By providing a balanced mix of academic intensity and restorative periods, the calendar not only facilitates learning but also nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Whether you're planning classes, preparing for exams, or scheduling family travel, the Dordt College academic calendar is an indispensable tool for success. For insights into faculty, check out Rate My Professor and share your experiences to help others.
Dordt College's academic calendar is meticulously designed to support its mission of Christ-centered education, blending rigorous academics with opportunities for spiritual and communal growth. The standard structure features a fall semester beginning after summer, a brief winter interim, a spring semester, and optional summer terms. This setup allows for about 15 weeks per semester, including time for midterms, finals, and integrative projects that align with Dordt's emphasis on Reformed theology. Traditions play a significant role; for instance, the calendar includes dedicated times for chapel services, community days, and service projects, which are integral to the student experience. Holidays are observed with sensitivity to Christian values, such as extended breaks around Christmas and Easter, providing space for reflection and family time. In comparison to other Iowa institutions, Dordt's calendar is more focused on undergraduate education, with fewer extended sessions than research-heavy universities. This benefits students by offering a predictable schedule that aids in balancing coursework with extracurriculars like athletics or music ensembles. Faculty appreciate the calendar's alignment with professional development windows, allowing for conferences and research without disrupting teaching. Locale-specific notes include adjustments for Midwest weather, ensuring safe travel during breaks. For those planning work schedules or deadlines, the calendar highlights key periods for advising and registration. To get a sense of teaching quality, we invite you to rate your professors or view ratings on our platform. Explore job opportunities at Dordt via higher ed jobs. The calendar's historical consistency helps in verifying past events, making it a valuable resource for alumni and researchers.
Planning classes around Dordt College's semester dates requires understanding the typical timing of terms, which generally start in late summer for fall and mid-winter for spring. This allows students to map out their course loads, ensuring a mix of core requirements, electives, and faith-based studies. Tips include early registration to secure spots in popular classes like theology or agriculture, and using advising sessions to align schedules with career goals. Ratings from Rate My Professor can guide choices by highlighting effective instructors. The calendar supports flexible planning, with options for online or hybrid courses during interim periods. For international students, aligning semester starts with visa processes is key, while parents can plan family travel around term beginnings. Comparing to rival schools, Dordt's compact semesters offer more intensive learning compared to extended terms elsewhere. Deadlines for adds/drops are strategically placed to minimize disruptions.
Exam periods at Dordt College are typically scheduled at the end of each semester, with midterms midway through. Preparation tips include utilizing study groups, campus resources like the library, and integrating faith-based reflection to manage stress. The calendar's design ensures adequate review time, impacting academic success.
Thanksgiving break at Dordt College offers a welcome pause in the fall semester, allowing students to recharge with family and reflect on gratitude in line with Christian values. Typically timed around the national holiday, it provides opportunities for travel to nearby Iowa towns or beyond. Traditions might include community service or campus events leading up to the break. Planning tips involve booking travel early and coordinating with work schedules for part-time jobs.
Dordt College incorporates U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving and spring break into its calendar, offering breaks for rest and travel. Spring break aligns with warmer weather, ideal for family coordination or service trips. These periods help in planning deadlines and verifying historical alignments.
Faculty at Dordt manage work schedules around semester deadlines, including grading and meetings. The calendar aids in balancing teaching with research.
Staff notes include key meetings and grading periods. Invite employees to rate their employer. Check lecturer jobs.
Historically, Dordt's calendars have adapted to enrollment growth, with patterns showing consistent holiday alignments.
Key events like orientation and commencement are highlights. Invite students to rate professors or view results.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Student Orientation | 19 August 2026 | Introduction for incoming students. |
| 📚 | First Day of Fall Classes | 24 August 2026 | Fall semester commences. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day Holiday | 7 September 2026 | National holiday observance. |
| 🍂 | Fall Break Begins | 9 October 2026 | Mid-semester break. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Starts | 25 November 2026 | Thanksgiving holiday period. |
| 🏁 | Last Day of Fall Classes | 11 December 2026 | End of fall instruction. |
| 📝 | Fall Finals Week | 14 December 2026Start | Exams for fall. |
| ❄️ | Winter Break Begins | 19 December 2026 | Christmas break. |
| 🌱 | Spring Semester Starts | 12 January 2026 | Spring classes begin. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 19 January 2026 | Day of service. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break | 9 March 2026Start | Spring recess. |
| ✝️ | Easter Break | 3 April 2026 | Easter observance. |
| 🎓 | Last Day of Spring Classes | 1 May 2026 | Spring term ends. |
| 🧠 | Spring Finals Week | 4 May 2026Start | Final assessments. |
| 🎊 | Commencement Ceremony | 9 May 2026 | Graduation event. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Begins | 18 May 2026 | Summer term start. |
