Evergreen State College
Also known as: TESC
5 Star Employer Ranking
2700 Evergreen Pkwy NW Lot C, Olympia, WA 98505, USA
Also known as: TESC
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2025 | Official holiday marking the start of the year, affecting all campus operations and providing rest for students and staff. |
| 📅 | Winter Quarter Begins | 6 January 2025 | First day of classes for winter quarter, welcoming students back for intensive studies. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 20 January 2025 | Holiday honoring civil rights leader, with campus events and no classes. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 17 February 2025 | Federal holiday, campus closed for reflection on U.S. history. |
| 🏁 | Winter Quarter Ends | 14 March 2025 | Conclusion of winter term, including evaluations and preparations for break. |
| 🌸 | Spring Quarter Begins | 31 March 2025 | Start of spring quarter with fresh courses and outdoor activities in Olympia. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 26 May 2025 | Holiday remembering military personnel, no classes held. |
| 🎓 | Spring Quarter Ends | 6 June 2025 | End of spring term, featuring commencement ceremonies. |
| 🗽 | Juneteenth | 19 June 2025 | Celebration of emancipation, with educational events on campus. |
| 🇺🇸 | Independence Day | 4 July 2025 | National holiday with fireworks and barbecues, campus closed. |
| ☀️ | Summer Quarter Begins | 23 June 2025approximate | Optional summer session starts for accelerated learning. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Quarter Ends | 22 August 2025 | Conclusion of summer studies, preparing for fall. |
| 👷 | Labor Day | 1 September 2025 | Holiday honoring workers, marking unofficial end of summer. |
| 🍂 | Fall Quarter Begins | 29 September 2025 | Kickoff of the academic year with orientation and new programs. |
| 🌍 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | 13 October 2025 | Recognition of indigenous cultures, with campus discussions. |
| 🎖️ | Veterans Day | 11 November 2025 | Honoring military veterans, classes may continue with events. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break | 27 November 2025 | Extended break for family gatherings and rest. |
| ❄️ | Fall Quarter Ends | 12 December 2025 | End of fall term, leading into winter holidays. |
| 🎄 | Winter Break Begins | 15 December 2025approximate | Holiday period for relaxation and celebrations. |
Are you planning on applying to TESC next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at TESC. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📝 | Early Action Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Deadline for early non-binding applications to Evergreen State College for 2026 entry. |
| 📬 | Early Action Notification | 15 December 2025approximate | Applicants receive decisions for early action submissions. |
| 🗓️ | Regular Decision Application Deadline | 1 February 2026 | Final deadline for standard undergraduate applications. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Priority Deadline | 15 February 2026 | Priority date for financial aid applications. |
| 📨 | Regular Decision Notification | 1 April 2026approximate | Decisions released for regular applicants. |
| ✅ | Enrollment Deposit Deadline | 1 May 2026 | Deadline to confirm attendance with deposit. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 1 March 2026 | Deadline for transfer students applying for 2026. |
| 🌐 | International Student Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Special deadline for international applicants including visa docs. |
| 🏆 | Scholarship Application Deadline | 1 February 2026 | Deadline for merit-based scholarship submissions. |
| 👋 | Orientation Registration Opens | 15 May 2026 | Start of registration for new student orientation. |
The academic calendar at Evergreen State College (TESC) serves as the foundational framework for the entire educational experience in Olympia, Washington. Unlike traditional semester-based systems found in many universities, TESC operates on a quarter system, which divides the academic year into three main terms: fall, winter, and spring, with an optional summer quarter. This structure allows for more flexible and intensive learning periods, typically spanning about 10 weeks each, fostering interdisciplinary studies and hands-on projects that align with the college's progressive educational philosophy. Historically, TESC was founded in 1967 with a mission to innovate higher education, emphasizing narrative evaluations over grades and collaborative learning. This calendar structure has evolved to support such ideals, offering students the ability to design personalized programs while ensuring alignment with national holidays and seasonal breaks. Compared to semester systems, quarters provide quicker progression through coursework but require careful planning to avoid burnout. For students, this impacts everything from course selection to extracurricular involvement, while faculty benefit from defined periods for research and teaching. Prospective students should note how the calendar influences admissions cycles, with key deadlines often falling before major terms begin. International students find the system adaptable, though they must account for visa timelines and cultural holiday differences. Holidays like Thanksgiving in the U.S. integrate seamlessly, providing much-needed respites that align with family traditions and travel opportunities. Overall, understanding the TESC academic calendar empowers the community to maximize productivity, balance personal life, and engage deeply with the college's unique ethos. Whether planning classes, preparing for exams, scheduling work, or coordinating family travel, this calendar is a vital tool for success at Evergreen State College.
The Evergreen State College academic calendar is uniquely structured to support its innovative, student-centered approach to education. Operating on a quarter system, the year is divided into fall, winter, and spring quarters, each lasting approximately 10 weeks, with a summer quarter available for additional studies. This setup differs from the more common semester model by allowing for shorter, more focused periods of study, which encourages interdisciplinary programs and real-world applications. Traditions at TESC include orientation events that emphasize community building and end-of-quarter evaluations that replace traditional grading. Holidays are thoughtfully incorporated; for instance, national observances like Labor Day mark the start of the academic year, while Thanksgiving provides a mid-fall break for reflection and family time. Spring break aligns with renewal themes, offering time for travel or personal projects. These breaks are crucial for mental health, especially in the Pacific Northwest's variable weather. Students and faculty use the calendar to plan deadlines, coordinate with rival schools for events, and verify historical dates for research. For those in Olympia, Washington, local influences like state holidays add layers to the schedule. To get insights from peers, check out Rate My Professor for professor ratings that can help in class planning. This calendar not only structures academic life but also enhances work-life balance, making it essential for tracking everything from semester starts to holiday schedules.
At Evergreen State College, the quarter system means classes are planned around three primary terms, with start and end points that allow for intensive learning blocks. Typically, the fall quarter begins after Labor Day, setting the tone for the year with foundational courses. Winter quarter follows a brief holiday period, focusing on core studies, while spring wraps up before summer. Planning classes involves considering program paths, as TESC emphasizes self-directed learning. Students often use the calendar to align courses with personal goals, ensuring no overlaps with breaks or deadlines. Tips include early registration to secure spots in popular interdisciplinary seminars. For work schedules, faculty coordinate teaching loads across quarters. Ratings from Rate My Professor can guide choices, highlighting effective instructors. This system aids in tracking rival school events for collaborations or competitions, and it's key for international students coordinating family travel around term dates.
Exam periods at Evergreen State College are integrated into the end of each quarter, emphasizing comprehensive evaluations rather than high-stakes tests. Preparation involves building portfolios and narratives throughout the term, aligning with the college's alternative assessment methods. Typical periods fall at quarter conclusions, allowing time for reflection. Study tips include group collaborations, utilizing campus resources like the library, and pacing work to avoid last-minute rushes. Faculty provide guidance on deadlines, helping students plan around holidays and breaks. This approach reduces stress compared to traditional exams, fostering deeper understanding.
Thanksgiving break at Evergreen State College offers a welcome pause during the fall quarter, typically aligning with the national holiday. This time allows students to travel home, engage in traditions like family feasts, and recharge before finals. In Olympia, Washington, the break coincides with autumn foliage, inspiring outdoor activities or community events. Planning tips include booking travel early to coordinate with family, especially for those tracking rival school schedules. It's an ideal period for reflecting on the academic year so far, perhaps reviewing professor ratings on Rate My Professor for future classes.
Holidays and breaks at Evergreen State College are strategically placed to provide respite and align with U.S. observances. Key ones include Thanksgiving in fall, winter holidays like Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr. Day in winter, and spring break for rejuvenation. These periods are essential for planning work schedules, coordinating family travel, and tracking events at rival institutions. Travel tips involve monitoring weather in Washington state and using breaks for cultural explorations. For international students, these align with global holidays where possible, aiding in homesickness management.
Faculty and staff at Evergreen State College manage work schedules around quarter timelines, with deadlines for grading and planning falling at term ends. This structure supports research during breaks, ensuring alignment with student needs. Tips for managing include using calendar tools to track holidays and rival events.
Faculty meetings and grading periods at TESC are scheduled per quarter, with staff noting key deadlines. Explore job opportunities via higher ed jobs. We invite employees to rate their employer on our platform.
Historically, TESC calendars have adapted to educational reforms, with patterns showing consistent quarter starts. Archives help verify past dates, useful for alumni. Future calendars maintain this structure, aiding long-term planning.
Events like orientation and commencement mark calendar highlights. Invite students to rate professors or view results on Rate My Professor.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2026 | Start of the year holiday, campus closed. |
| 📅 | Winter Quarter Begins | 5 January 2026 | Classes resume for winter quarter. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 19 January 2026 | Civil rights holiday with commemorative activities. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 16 February 2026 | Federal holiday honoring presidents. |
| 🏁 | Winter Quarter Ends | 13 March 2026 | Term conclusion and evaluations. |
| 🌸 | Spring Quarter Begins | 30 March 2026 | Spring term starts with renewed energy. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 25 May 2026 | Remembrance holiday, no classes. |
| 🎓 | Spring Quarter Ends | 5 June 2026 | End of spring with graduations. |
| 🗽 | Juneteenth | 19 June 2026 | Emancipation celebration. |
| 🇺🇸 | Independence Day Observed | 3 July 2026 | Holiday observance on Friday. |
| ☀️ | Summer Quarter Begins | 22 June 2026approximate | Summer session commencement. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Quarter Ends | 21 August 2026 | Summer term wrap-up. |
| 👷 | Labor Day | 7 September 2026 | Workers' holiday. |
| 🍂 | Fall Quarter Begins | 28 September 2026 | Academic year start. |
| 🌍 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | 12 October 2026 | Cultural recognition day. |
| 🎖️ | Veterans Day | 11 November 2026 | Veterans' honor day. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break | 26 November 2026 | Family holiday break. |
| ❄️ | Fall Quarter Ends | 11 December 2026 | Fall term end. |
| 🎄 | Winter Break Begins | 14 December 2026approximate | Holiday season start. |
