Mark your calendar: Important dates in the Czech school year for 2022–2023

Attending a Czech public school can be one of the faster ways for expat children (and their parents) to integrate into the Czech community. However, for parents and children whose native language isn’t Czech, school days can bring added linguistic and cultural challenges.

Over the course of several articles, we’ll take a closer look at the Czech educational system, and how non-Czech-speaking families can tap into resources to ease school stress.

More than 20 autumns ago, I remember seeing swarms of middle school students flood Prague tram stops around 9 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 1. I wondered, why was everyone skipping school? Later, I learned the secret — the first day of Czech school is only one hour long!

To start our deep dive into public education in Czechia, let’s look at some key dates, including the soon-to-be-upon-us First Day of School. 

In the week before school officially starts, teachers and administrators are on-site and often available to speak with parents by appointment. Lunches can be prepaid and lunch cards or chips acquired at school cafeterias. This period is also used to reexamine students who failed one or more compulsory subjects to determine their advancement in the upcoming school year. 

On the first morning of school, first-grade students and their parents are officially welcomed in a meet-the-teacher ceremony. Students in other grades have a 45-minute opening hour with their teacher where they are usually given registration forms for školní družina (before/after school care for the youngest students) and payment information for school lunches. Both lunch service and školní družina typically start on the second day of school. 

Many schools hold a tridni schůzka (a meeting for parents with the classroom teacher) during the first or second week of school. During this meeting, the organization of the school year is explained, and any upcoming out-of-school trips are discussed. From September through early October, schools hold sign-ups for after-school activities and clubs.

Activities include musical instrument lessons, foreign language instruction, sports activities, and craft classes like woodworking and ceramics. Many schools also offer clubs sponsored by organizations outside the school. Ask your child’s classroom teacher and/or check your school’s website for specific club registration and payment details since each school’s offerings are different.   

An official public holiday to commemorate the patron St. Wenceslas and the formation of the Czech Republic. 

This public holiday commemorates the date in 1918 when Czechoslovakia was founded.

Open door visitation days and virtual tours for 8-year, 6-year, and 4-year gymnasiums as well as specialized high schools and vocational school programs. Check individual school websites for registration and dates.

This public holiday commemorates student political activism, first against the Nazi regime in 1939 and later against Communist rule in 1989. The student-led, non-violent protests on November 17, 1989, formed the basis for the Velvet Revolution, which led to the end of Communism in Czechoslovakia. 

Students applying to upper schools, gymnasiums, or conservatories that specialize in drama, dance, music, art, and/or sports must submit their application by this date.

The official winter holidays begin Friday, Dec. 23, and end on Monday, Jan. 2. Students return to school on Tuesday, Jan. 3rd.

Criteria for application to 8-year, 6-year, and 4-year gymnasium programs as well as specialized high schools and vocational programs should be available on individual school websites by Jan. 1st.

Students receive report cards with grades from their first semester. Some schools have a shortened school day although this differs from school to school.

A one-day school holiday honouring the completion of the first semester.

The final due date for submission of student applications for 8-year, 6-year, and 4-year gymnasium, specialized high school, and vocational school programs. Applications are accepted by post or in person between February–March 1. 

Prague 6–10, Cheb, Karlovy Vary, Sokolov, Nymburk, Jindřichův Hradec, Litoměřice, Děčín, Přerov, Frýdek-Místek.

Kroměříž, Uherské Hradiště, Vsetín, Zlín, Praha-východ, Praha-západ, Mělník, Rakovník, Plzeň-město, Plzeň-sever, Plzeň-jih, Hradec Králové, Teplice, Nový Jičín.

Česká Lípa, Jablonec nad Nisou, Liberec, Semily, Havlíčkův Brod, Jihlava, Pelhřimov, Třebíč, Žďár nad Sázavou, Kladno, Kolín, Kutná Hora, Písek, Náchod, Bruntál.

Mladá Boleslav, Příbram, Tábor, Prachatice, Strakonice, Ústí nad Labem, Chomutov, Most, Jičín, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Olomouc, Šumperk, Opava, Jeseník.

Benešov, Beroun, Rokycany, České Budějovice, Český Krumlov, Klatovy, Trutnov, Pardubice, Chrudim, Svitavy, Ústí nad Orlicí, Ostrava-město, Prostějov.

Prague 1–5, Blansko, Brno-město, Brno-venkov, Břeclav, Hodonín, Vyškov, Znojmo, Domažlice, Tachov, Louny, Karviná.

For Czech students, the Easter school holiday includes Thursday, Good Friday, and the Monday following Easter Sunday.

School attendance is mandatory from the age of 6 until a student has completed 9 years of basic education. Schools are required to post all necessary information regarding school registration on their school websites. Parents and their rising 1st graders attend an in-person registration during the month of April where parents submit school applications and students perform school-readiness tasks. A child can register at any public school; however, children whose permanent residence falls in the school’s catchment receive priority. 

Preschool registration occurs in April or May depending on the particular school. Although children are eligible to attend a public Czech preschool from the age of 3, preschool attendance is only mandatory for children from the age of 5. During this final předškolní year (the last year before 1st grade) monthly tuition is free for students. Preschool registration is also based on a parent’s permanent residence with priority given to children in the catchment. 

During this registration period, parents may request a Delayed School Entry for children who have not yet demonstrated physical and/or mental readiness for school. Requests should be submitted to the school principal and are usually accompanied by a recommendation from a pedagogical/psychological center. 

A public holiday that celebrates workers and the working class.

A public holiday to commemorate May 8, 1945, when the Czech Republic was liberated from German occupation by American and Russian forces. This holiday is celebrated across much of Europe as Victory in Europe Day. 

This is not an official school holiday; however many schools take field trips or plan special cultural activities to celebrate the day. 

Students receive their end-of-the-year report cards, and school officially finishes.