Hello everyone! The hot August holidays are coming to an end, which means the annual ‘Vuelta al cole’ is just around the corner! It feels like the holidays just started, and it’s already time to go back. I’m sure many parents have already started shopping for school supplies.
Recently, I’ve seen many people in parent groups asking about the exact start dates, as they vary for each autonomous community in Spain and can even have slight adjustments from school to school. I’ve taken the time to compile the official start dates announced by the education departments of several major communities to help everyone out. However, for the most accurate information, it’s always best to check your own school’s official website!
School Start Dates for Major Autonomous Communities 2024-2025
This guide to School Start in Spain covers the most asked-about communities, including start dates for preschool, primary, secondary, and high school. As you can see, most regions will begin classes during the second week of September.
| Autonomous Community | Preschool & Primary | Secondary & High School |
|---|
| Madrid | September 9 | September 10 |
| Catalonia | September 9 | September 9 / September 12 |
| Andalusia | September 10 | September 16 |
| Valencian Community | September 9 | September 9 |
| Basque Country | September 6 | September 6 |
One important detail to note is that many schools implement a shortened school day known as ‘Jornada Intensiva’ at the beginning of the school year in September and towards the end in June. This usually means classes run from 9 AM to 1 or 2 PM, without a lunch break or afternoon lessons. For working parents, this requires careful planning for pick-up times, so it’s best to confirm the specific schedule with your school.
Time flies, and the kids’ summer vacation is almost over! I hope this post is helpful. If you have start date information for other autonomous communities or any good back-to-school shopping tips, feel free to share them in the comments below. Wishing all the children a smooth and happy start to the new school year!
