Omari Gates
In Austria, children are required by law to attend school from the September following their sixth birthday. The school year usually begins in mid-September and ends in early July, with two semesters and several breaks in between. Before starting primary school, children must attend kindergarten, which has been compulsory since September 2010.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| School starting age | 6 years old |
| School starting month | September |
| Kindergarten | Compulsory |
| Kindergarten options | Public, private, parent-run, Betriebskindergarten |
| Public kindergarten fees | Free, but costs for meals and certain extras |
| Private kindergarten fees | €250 per month |
| Parent-run kindergarten fees | €100 per month |
| School year | Two semesters |
| School holidays | Christmas (2 weeks), Easter (1 week), Autumn (5 days), Whitsun (3 days), Summer (2 months) |
| School hours | 8 am to 2 pm |
| Class duration | 45 to 50 minutes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
School in Austria starts in September
The school year in Austria generally begins in mid-September and ends in early July, which is similar to most other European countries. The school year consists of two semesters, with a one-week break in between during February. The first semester starts on the first Monday of September and ends in January, while the second semester starts in February and ends in June.
Children in Austria who are long-term residents, regardless of citizenship, are required by law to attend school. Compulsory education starts on 1 September after children turn six years old and lasts for nine school years. Kindergarten has been compulsory in Austria since September 2010, and children usually attend kindergarten in the year before they start primary school.
Public kindergartens are open all year round, except on official holidays, semester breaks, 24 December and 31 December, and some have a summer break. There are four types of kindergartens in Austria: public, private, parent-run, and 'Betriebskindergarten'. Public kindergarten is free, but there are costs for meals and certain extras, such as extended attendance times or special activities. Private kindergarten costs around €250 per month on average, as part of the cost is subsidised by the Austrian government.
In primary school, children receive a general education that covers elementary concepts in maths, reading, and literacy. Schools also offer classes in physical education, music, art, and religion. From their third year, students are required to learn a foreign language. After their fourth year, children must successfully complete their classes in German, maths, and reading before they can start middle school.
Exploring Austria and Its Historical Context
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kindergarten is compulsory for infants
In Austria, kindergarten is compulsory for infants. Since September 2010, children are required to attend kindergarten in the year before they enter school, which is usually from the September following their sixth birthday.
There are four types of kindergarten offered in Austria: public, private, parent-run, and 'Betriebskindergarten'. Public kindergarten is free to attend, although there may be costs for meals and certain extras, such as extended attendance times or special activities. Private kindergarten is also subsidised by the Austrian government, so it is still highly affordable, with an average cost of €250 per month. Parent-run kindergarten is the most affordable option, at around €100 per month, and typically involves two to three staff members, who are often parents of the children in the class, with around 15 children at a time.
Public kindergartens are open all year round, except for on official holidays, semester breaks, 24th and 31st December, and some have a summer break. The summer break usually begins in early July and lasts through to mid-September. There are also two-week Christmas holidays, a week off for Easter, a five-day Autumn break, and a three-day Whitsun holiday.
To register your child for kindergarten, you can do so at any time during the year, although your chances of getting your preferred preschool are highest during the main registration period of November and December. For private kindergarten, you must first apply for a customer number from your local authority, which you can then use to register directly with the kindergarten.
Austria's Beloved Alcoholic Beverage: A Cultural Icon
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.99 $15.99
Public kindergarten is free
In Austria, public kindergarten is free of charge for residents. However, there are some associated costs for meals and certain extras, such as extended attendance times or special activities. On average, parents can expect to pay around €60 per month for their child's food.
Public kindergarten classes are intended for children aged 3 to 6 and consist of a maximum of 25 children and 1 teacher. Many kindergartens are open from 7 am to 6 pm, making them attractive to parents who work full-time. Enrolment is not affected by the nationality of the child or the religion of the parents. However, it is easier to get a place if your child has a residence permit or student visa.
There are four types of kindergartens offered in Austria: public, private, parent-run, and Betriebskindergarten. Private kindergartens are slightly more expensive than public ones, costing on average €250 per month. However, they are still considered affordable, as part of the cost is subsidised by the Austrian government. Private kindergartens also tend to have smaller class sizes, with one teacher and as few as seven children.
Parent-run kindergartens are even more affordable, costing around €100 per month. They typically have two to three staff members and around 15 children. The staff are often parents of the children in the class, which means they are more involved in tasks like cooking, cleaning, and administration. Parents also have more of a say in their child's education.
Betriebskindergarten is a type of kindergarten run by companies for their employees. They sometimes allow children of non-employees to attend if there is space available.
Austria's Initials: Unraveling the Mystery of Austrian Identity
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.99 $15.99
$14.99 $15.99
Primary school curriculum
In Austria, children typically start primary school in September, at the age of six. All children living in Austria must attend school from ages 6 to 15. Before this, kindergarten is compulsory for at least 20 hours across four days a week.
Public kindergartens are free of charge, but there are costs for meals and certain extras. Private kindergartens are also available, costing on average €250 per month, with smaller class sizes.
When it comes to primary school, the Austrian system offers a variety of public and private options. State schools are free of charge, while private schools charge a monthly fee. The primary school curriculum in Austria covers the basics in general subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics. Schools also have some autonomy in setting their own timetables and lesson content. As a rule, the school day starts around 8 am and runs until approximately 2 pm, with each class lasting 45 to 50 minutes.
In addition to the core subjects, Austrian primary schools often offer classes in physical education, music, art, and religion. From their third year of school, students are required to learn a foreign language. To advance to middle school, students must successfully complete their classes in German, mathematics, and reading by the end of their fourth year.
For families who are not native to Austria, private international primary schools are an option. These schools offer education in non-German languages and follow British, American, or French curricula.
There are also alternative educational philosophies available in Austria, such as Montessori and Waldorf schools. Montessori schools focus on providing students with emotional, cognitive, and social support, encouraging creativity and independence. Waldorf schools, on the other hand, emphasise intellectual stimulation and imagination, combining academics, art, and practical skills.
Get Permanent Residency in Austria After Your Studies
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.69
![2026 Wall Calendar [13 pages 8"x12"] France Vintage Travel Posters Retro Ads Commercials](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81q299Sea6L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
School hours and semesters
In Austria, children are required by law to attend school from the September 1 following their sixth birthday. The school year generally begins in mid-September and ends in early July, with two semesters and several breaks in between.
The school day typically starts at 8 am and runs until around 2 pm, with each class lasting 45 to 50 minutes. After the morning lessons, pupils can attend after-school care, either on-site or at another school if it's not available on-site. While public elementary schools have some autonomy in setting timetables for lessons, meals, learning, and free time, they must adhere to the rule that classes must not start before 8 am. However, the school forum may bring the start time forward to 7 am if deemed necessary, especially for pupils travelling from a distance.
The academic year consists of two semesters, with a one-week break in February separating them. This break usually falls during the first, second, or third week of February and may differ depending on the province. The summer holidays last for nine weeks, starting from the end of one year of instruction to the beginning of the next. In addition to the summer break, there are Christmas holidays (two weeks), Easter holidays (one week), Autumn holidays (one week), and Whitsun holidays (three days). The exact dates of these holidays may vary slightly across Austria's nine regions, but the main holidays usually remain consistent.
Kindergartens in Austria are also open all year round, except for some summer breaks, Christmas, and New Year's. Public kindergartens are free of charge, but there may be costs for meals and extras like extended attendance times or special activities. Private kindergartens, on the other hand, cost around €250 per month on average, with smaller class sizes of about seven children.
The Habsburgs: Austria's Imperial Legacy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The school year generally begins in mid-September and ends in early July.
Children are required to go to school from the 1st of September after they turn six years old.
You can opt for a place in a private or public kindergarten. Public kindergarten is free of charge, but there are costs for meals and certain extras. Private kindergarten costs around €250 per month, with some of the costs subsidised by the Austrian government.
