School Holidays in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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 from the Dutch Ministry of Education: Click here

School Regions

Schools in Holland are divided into three regions: North, Central and South.

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.

Amsterdam and North region

School Year 2009/2010
School year starts	16 August 2009 (elementary schools, bo) 23 August 2009 (secondary schools, vo)
Autumn/Fall holidays (Herfts)	17 October 2009 to 25 October 2009
Christmas holidays (Kerst)	19 December 2009 to 3 January 2010
Spring holidays (Voorjaar)	20 February 2010 to 28 February 2010
May holidays	30 April 2010 to 9 May 2010
Summer holidays (Zomer)	10 July 2010

The Hague, Rotterdam and Central Region

School Year 2009-2010
School year starts	23 August 2009 (elementary schools, bo) 30 August 2009 (secondary schools, vo)
Autumn/Fall holidays (Herfts)	17 October - 25 October 2009
Christmas holidays (Kerst)	19 December 2009 - 3 January 2010
Spring holidays (Voorjaar)	20 February - 28 February 2010
May holidays	30 April - 9 May 2010
Summer holidays (Zomer)	3 July 2010