Koolipäev

Koolipäev is the Estonian term for a day when students attend school and follow the scheduled timetable. The word combines kool (school) and päev (day) and is used in everyday language to distinguish regular school days from weekends and holidays. In Estonia, basic education and upper secondary education are organized according to a national core curriculum, and koolipäevs are structured around this framework.

A typical koolipäev begins in the morning and ends in the afternoon, with start times commonly around 8:00–9:00 and end times around 13:00–16:00, depending on the school and grade level. Each class usually lasts about 45 minutes, with short breaks between periods and a longer lunch break. The daily timetable may include homeroom time, lessons in core subjects such as Estonian language, mathematics, foreign languages, science, social studies, arts, and physical education, and may offer electives or after-school activities.

Attendance on a koolipäev is part of the compulsory education system for basic education and continues into upper secondary education. The school year includes a set number of school days and holidays, including winter and spring breaks and a longer summer vacation. These holidays are collectively referred to as koolivaheaeg or school holidays and are managed by municipal education authorities.

Variations exist between municipalities and schools, with some institutions offering half-days, extended after-school programs, or different daily rhythms. Nevertheless, koolipäevs share the common purpose of delivering the planned curriculum and supporting students’ academic and social development.