Recently, many newcomers in the forum have been asking about their children’s schooling, especially regarding when private schools start. I remember worrying about this myself when I first moved to Spain, as the schedules for public and private schools can be a bit different. Today, I’d like to share what I’ve learned, hoping it can help some of the anxious parents out there.
Key Differences in Start Dates: Private vs. Public Schools
In Spain, the academic year runs from September to June of the following year. However, the exact start date offers much more flexibility for private schools compared to public ones. The start and holiday dates for public schools are set by the education departments of each autonomous community, usually around the second week of September. On the other hand, private schools, particularly international schools, have their own academic calendars and often start a few days earlier than public schools, typically beginning in the first week of September. For example, my son’s school started on September 4th last year, a full week before the local public primary school.
Why Do Private Schools Start Earlier?
This is mainly because private schools, especially international schools following British, American, or IB curriculums, need to ensure they meet the total required teaching hours for their respective syllabuses. Their holiday schedules, along with their back-to-school preparations
, also differ from local Spanish schools; for instance, they might have longer Christmas or spring breaks. Starting the term earlier helps better coordinate the annual academic plan. Additionally, an earlier start provides an orientation week for new students, especially those just arriving from abroad, allowing them to ease in rather than jumping straight into an intensive learning environment.
Projected Start Dates for Private Schools in Some Autonomous Communities for the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Although the final date for each private school depends on its official announcement, we can make some general projections based on past years’ trends and the calendars some schools have already released. I’ve put together a simple table for your reference, but please be sure to confirm the exact date with your chosen school’s official email or website
!
| Autonomous Community | General Start Date Range |
|---|
| Madrid | September 5 - September 9 |
| Catalonia | September 4 - September 6 |
| Andalusia | September 9 - September 11 |
| Valencia | September 6 - September 10 |
Finally, a reminder that choosing a school is a major decision, and there are many preparations to make before the term begins. I recommend that as soon as you receive an offer from a school, you check its official website for the academic calendar. It will detail the start date, mid-term breaks, public holidays, and the end of the school year. This way, you can not only manage your child’s enrollment but also plan your family trips in advance! Wishing everyone a smooth start to the new academic year!
