School Holidays in South Korea 2024-2025

Have you ever wondered how school holidays in South Korea are structured, and how they impact both students and the broader society? South Korea’s school calendar is unique in several ways, blending academic rigor with cultural and national celebrations. Whether you're a parent seeking IB Tutors in Seoul or simply planning a family holiday, knowing the school calendar is crucial. In this post, we’ll dive into when the school year and holidays start and offer ideas on what to do during these breaks. We’ll also touch on international schools, making it easier to plan your family’s schedule or academic preparation if you're moving to South Korea.

Overview of School Holidays in South Korea 2024-2025

The school holiday schedule in South Korea is similar to School Holidays in Japan, with the academic year typically beginning in March and ends in February the following year, divided into two main semesters: the first semester runs from March to mid-July, and the second semester from late August to February. South Korean students enjoy a summer break, winter break, and spring break, along with other public holidays spread throughout the year. Winter vacation typically starts around mid-December and ends at the end of January. Important events in November include parent-teacher conferences and teacher in-service days.

• First Semester: March – mid-July
• Summer Break: Mid-July – late August
• Second Semester: Late August – February
• Winter Break: Late December – early February
• Spring Break: Mid-February – early March

The school holiday schedule in South Korea is similar to School Holidays in Japan, with significant events for middle school students, such as graduation ceremonies, marking important milestones.

According to an IB English Tutor in South Korea,

“The structured breaks in South Korea’s school calendar provide students with the perfect opportunity to focus on improving their language skills, especially through tailored tutoring sessions that help them excel in IB English and beyond.”

Public Holidays in South Korea 2024-2025

Public Holidays in South Korea are determined by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which typically release the holiday calendar way in advance, such as the 2024 official release and the 2025 official release. On the national public holidays, schools and many businesses would close. Here’s a list of key public holidays in 2024-2025:

Public and Private School Term Breaks in South Korea 2024-2025

School Holidays are primarily decided by the Ministry of Education, which decides the national schedule for public schools to adhere to. In contrast, private schools and international schools often have more flexibility in scheduling certain breaks. IB tutors in South Korea indicate that International schools, such as those offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, may also have mid-term breaks and longer summer holidays, aligning with other international standards.

In summary, here’s the general structure of school holidays in South Korea in 2024-2025:

• Public Schools: The summer break typically lasts for six weeks from mid-July to late August. Winter break is shorter, usually from late December to early February.
• Private Schools: Some private and international schools might extend their summer holidays to coincide with Western breaks, giving expatriate families more flexibility.
• International schools may align more with the Western school calendar, offering longer summer and winter breaks to accommodate international students. This includes some of the Best International Schools in Seoul.

The school calendar often follows a weekly format, typically starting from Sun Mon, to help students and parents plan their schedules effectively.

Additional to the schools themselves, municipals and districts also have some freedom to make adjustments to the term schedule. Therefore, whether you're looking for an IB Physics Tutor in South Korea or IB Biology Tutor in South Korea, it is critical to check with your specific institution on the exact dates of term breaks, in order to plan for term break activities.

Additional School Holidays in South Korea

In addition to term breaks and public holidays, schools in South Korea may close for various local or school-specific holidays, including:

• Sports Days: Schools organise annual Sports Days where students participate in athletic competitions, fostering teamwork and school spirit.
• School Foundation Day: A day to commemorate the establishment of the school, often marked with celebrations and ceremonies.
• Local Festivals: Schools may close for regional festivals, allowing students to engage in cultural traditions and community events.

Here are some examples of local festivals in South Korea:

• Jeju Fire Festival (March 6 to March 9, 2025): Held on Jeju Island, this festival celebrates the ancient tradition of burning fields to promote a good harvest.
• Andong Mask Dance Festival (27 September - 6 October 2024): A celebration of traditional Korean mask dancing, held in Andong, known for preserving this cultural art.
• Boryeong Mud Festival (19 - 28 July 2024): A fun-filled festival at Daecheon Beach where participants play in the mud, promoting health benefits from Boryeong’s mud flats.
• Jinju Lantern Festival (1 - 13 October 2024): A historical festival in Jinju featuring stunning lantern displays along the Namgang River, commemorating Korea’s victory over Japan.

Schools have some autonomy to close on these days, but it's less common for businesses to close unless the holidays coincide with public ones.

List of School Holiday Activities Ideas

Wondering how to make the most of South Korea’s school holidays? Here are some engaging activities to keep students productive and entertained:

• Private Tutoring: Many parents in South Korea opt for private tutoring during school breaks to help students get ahead or prepare for entrance exams. Whether it's finding an IB tutor in South Korea or, specifically, IB Maths tutor in Seoul, private lessons ensure students stay academically sharp.
• Museum Visits: South Korea has a wealth of educational museums, like the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, where students can explore the country’s rich history and culture. These outings are a great mix of fun and learning.
• Cultural Experiences: South Korean culture is deeply rooted in tradition. During holidays like Chuseok, students can experience traditional Korean games, cooking classes, or craft workshops, offering hands-on learning outside the classroom.
• Sports Camps: Many schools and organisations offer sports camps during the summer and winter breaks. These camps focus on physical development, teamwork, and discipline, making them ideal for students looking to stay active.
• University Preparation: Some students looking to strengthen their university application profiles to prepare for applications to the Best Universities in South Korea as well as univerisities abroad. For international students seeking US college admission, they may also hire SAT tutors in South Korea to better prepare themselves for standardized testing.

Conclusion

Understanding the school holidays in South Korea is crucial whether you're a local family, expatriate, or considering enrolling your child in an international school. With a combination of public holidays and school breaks, South Korea offers a balanced schedule for students to relax, enjoy cultural experiences, and stay ahead academically through tutoring or enrichment activities.