How does West Point handle its academic schedule?

I'm considering applying to West Point, and I'd like to know more about how its academic schedule is structured. Do they operate on semesters, quarters, or something else distinctive?

West Point, or the United States Military Academy, operates on a semester system, similar to many other colleges and universities. This means that there are two main academic periods in the school year: the fall semester and the spring semester. The fall semester typically begins in late August or early September and concludes in December. The spring semester generally runs from January through May.

Along with the regular college courses, cadets at West Point have additional military training and physical education classes, which are also incorporated into the academic schedule. These can sometimes run outside the typical semester schedule to align with military training sequences.

During the summer, when regular academic classes are not in session, cadets engage in military training activities and internships, both in the United States and internationally. This is one of the ways that West Point is distinct from civilian colleges and universities.

So, while the academic courses follow a semester-based schedule, it's important to note that the cadet experience at West Point encompasses more than just the academic coursework and does not strictly adhere to the traditional college calendar. The training and development of leadership and physical skills, core to West Point's mission to prepare cadets for a career in the Army, are woven throughout the four years at the Academy.