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A calendar of the school terms in the Netherlands: all the dates when the state schools close for vacation...
School term dates can vary slightly by region, and depending on whether it is an elementary (bo) or secondary school (vo). This is most noticeable during the main summer break.
Essentially, the summer holidays start at the end of June or early July and run until mid-August. Aside from the various public holidays throughout the year, there are further breaks in October (1 week), Christmas (2 weeks), Spring/February (1 week), and Easter/April (1 week).
- For a complete list of school holidays in the Netherlands (2017/2018), see the Dutch Ministry of Education website
School Regions
Schools in Holland are divided into three regions: North, Central and South (Noord, Midden, Zuid).
- North region: North-Holland (which includes Amsterdam and Loosdrecht), Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland (except Zeewolde), Gelderland (Hattem), Utrecht (Eemnes),
- Central region: All municipalities in South Holland (includes The Hague), and the North Brabant municipalities of Werkendam and Woudrichem
- South region: Limburg, Zeeland and North Brabant (except Werkendam and Woudrichem)
School Holidays and Vacations
These are the dates for Government School Calendar for the Central and North regions
Note: Private and international schools may not follow the same schedule; consult the relevant school for exact term dates.
School Year 2017 - 2018
Amsterdam and North Region
School year starts | 20 August 2017 |
Autumn/Fall holidays (Herfts) | 21 to 29 October 2017 |
Christmas holidays (Kerst) | 23 December 2017 to 7 January 2018 |
Spring holidays (Voorjaar) | 24 February - 4 March 2018 |
May holidays | 28 April - 6 May 2018 |
Summer holidays (Zomer) | 21 July 2018 to 2 September 2018 |
The Hague, Rotterdam and Central region
School year starts | 20 August 2017 |
Autumn/Fall holidays (Herfts) | 14 to 22 October 2017 |
Christmas holidays (Kerst) | 23 December 2017 to 7 January 2018 |
Spring holidays (Voorjaar) | 17 February to 25 February 2018 |
May holidays | 28 April - 6 May 2018 |
Summer holidays (Zomer) | 14 July to 26 August 2018 |