Lyla Lindsey
In Austria, the school year typically starts in September and ends in July. Children in Austria are required to attend school for nine years, from the ages of 6 to 15. Primary school, which is compulsory, operates on a four-year system, with most children joining in the September after their sixth birthday. The school day usually begins at 8:00, and lessons are around 50 minutes long, with breaks of at least five minutes in between.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| School starting age | 6 |
| Number of years of compulsory education | 9 |
| Typical school hours | 8:00-14:00 |
| Earliest school can start | 7:00 |
| Academic year start month | September |
| Academic year end month | July |
| Number of regions | 9 |
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What You'll Learn
School hours
In Austria, the school year generally begins in mid-September and ends in early July, which is similar to the rest of Europe. The academic year is divided into two semesters, with a semester break in February and a long summer holiday from the beginning of July to the end of August.
Children in Austria typically start kindergarten around the age of three and attend until they are approximately six years old. Kindergarten accounts for 20 hours a week of development time and usually takes place between September and June, except during school holidays. Preschool education has been compulsory in Austria since 2010.
Primary school in Austria, which is also known as Volksschule or Grundschule, is compulsory from ages six to ten. The school day for primary school students legally should not start before 8:00, though some classes can begin at 7:00 if necessary. Lessons are typically around 50 minutes long, with breaks of at least five minutes between each class, and the school day usually ends at 14:00.
After primary school, students move on to four years of lower-level education, which is also compulsory, followed by four years of upper-level education. Students must pass the Austrian "Matura" school-leaving certificate to graduate from higher-level schools.
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Preschool and kindergarten
Kindergarten is mandatory for Austrian residents who turn five years old before 1 September of the calendar year of registration. Kindergarteners must attend school for a minimum of 20 hours per week, typically spread across four days. However, part-time daycare, for up to 20 hours a week, is entirely free for five-year-olds in Austria. Public kindergartens are generally open year-round, except during official holidays, semester breaks, and some summer breaks. While there are no costs for attending public kindergartens, there may be small fees for meals and special activities.
In Austria, there are approximately 4,566 kindergartens, with a range of options for parents to choose from. These include parent-run kindergartens, which involve greater parental involvement in the day-to-day operations, and Betriebskindergarten, which are run by companies for their employees and sometimes accept children of non-employees if space permits.
Registration for kindergarten typically occurs during the main registration period of November to December, where parents can apply for up to two kindergarten options. This can be done at the municipal or magistrate's office, where the child will receive a kindergarten identification number. While registration during this period increases the chances of securing a desired spot, it is possible to register at any time during the year.
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Primary school
There are 2,865 public primary schools in Austria, as well as 106 private schools receiving government assistance. About 90% of students attend state schools, which are entirely free. However, parents may need to pay for supplies, such as notebooks and pens, and there may be additional fees for activities like field trips. Private schools, on the other hand, are far more expensive, with tuition fees starting from €5,000 per year, plus additional costs for food, activities, and registration.
The school day for primary school students typically runs from 8 am to 2 pm, with lessons lasting around 50 minutes each (although they can be shortened to 45 minutes) and breaks of at least five minutes between classes. Classes are only held on weekdays, so students have the weekends and public holidays off. The curriculum includes basic literacy and math skills, with foreign language study introduced in the third year. Some schools also offer religious education, music, art, and physical education.
Overall, the focus of primary education in Austria is to encourage students to think and act independently and develop a love of learning. The country invests heavily in primary education, with a high average spending per student.
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Regional differences
In Austria, the school day typically starts at 8:00 am and ends at 2:00 pm, with lessons lasting around 50 minutes each. However, there are regional differences in the education system, with nine different regions setting their own schedules and holidays. While the main holidays usually remain the same across Austria, the summer break, for example, may differ by a week or so between regions.
The Austrian academic year generally runs from September to July, with two semesters. The semester holidays also differ between regions, with Group A comprising Lower Austria and Vienna, Group B including Burgenland, Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg, and Group C consisting of Upper Austria and Styria.
In terms of primary education, which is compulsory in Austria, children typically start primary school (Volksschule or Grundschule) in the September after their sixth birthday. However, there is some flexibility, as children who turn six between 1st September and 31st December may be permitted to start primary school early if they pass an assessment test. This early admission is available for children who are deemed ready for formal education.
The primary school system in Austria operates on a four-year cycle, with children attending from ages six to ten. During the 2020-2021 school year, there were approximately 583,388 compulsory school students in the country. About 90% of students attend state schools, which are free of charge, while the remaining 10% attend private institutions. There are 2,865 public primary schools and 106 private schools receiving government assistance.
In addition to state and private schools, international primary schools are also an option, but they come with significant tuition and additional fees. While lessons in state schools are typically conducted in German, some schools in regions with a high number of immigrants, such as Burgenland, may combine German with other languages like Hungarian or Croatian to accommodate minority students.
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Secondary school
There are several types of secondary school in Austria. The majority (approximately 90%) of students attend state schools, which are known as 'Volksschule' or 'Grundschule'. These are completely free, although there may be small additional costs for supplies and activities. German is the primary language of instruction in state schools, although some schools in regions with large immigrant populations, such as Burgenland, may combine German with other languages like Hungarian or Croatian.
Private schools make up around 8% of institutions in Austria. These are fee-paying and can cost upwards of €5,000 per year, with additional fees for food, activities and registration. Some private schools are denominational, while others follow a particular educational philosophy, such as Montessori or Waldorf. International schools are also considered private and have similar fees.
There are also special forms of lower secondary schools that offer education programs focusing on specific areas, such as sports or music. These are known as 'Sporthauptschulen' or 'Musikhauptschulen'.
After completing lower secondary education, students can go on to attend ''higher-level' schools for another four years, or they can opt for technical vocational training.
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Frequently asked questions
School in Austria typically starts at 8:00 am, although some classes can begin at 7:00 am.
Children start primary school in Austria the September after they turn six.
The school hours in Austria are typically between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm.
The academic year in Austria generally starts in September and ends in July, so the first day of the school year is usually in September.
The school year in Austria runs for about 10 months, from September to July, with two months of summer holidays.
