Schulkalenders

Schulkalender is a calendar used by a school to organize the academic year and to communicate important dates to students and parents. It typically covers the start and end of the school year, daily school hours or timetable blocks, and seasonal breaks. In German-speaking countries, calendars distinguish between instructional days and days off, such as school holidays and in-service days. The content often includes holiday periods (Ferien), examination windows, parent-teacher conference days, school trips, and major school events (sports days, concerts, ceremonies). Some calendars also note attendance policies, early release days, or other planning markers.

Governance and regional variation: In Germany, calendars are largely set at the state (Länder) level, with possible differences across districts or municipalities. Austrian and Swiss calendars show similar regional customization. Therefore, the exact dates and structure can vary between schools even within the same country. Many schools publish their Schulkalender for the coming year in print and online, sometimes as a stand-alone document, a section on the school website, or via an educational portal.

Format and accessibility: Modern Schulkalender are often digital and can be integrated with personal calendar applications, enabling notifications and synchronization with families’ schedules. They serve to help families plan vacations, childcare, and travel, and to coordinate academic planning, parent-teacher meetings, and assessment periods. They support transparency and coordination among students, parents, and school staff.