Korean schools have a unique schedule compared to many Western countries, including the States.
Here are some interesting facts about the Korean school system!
Quick Summary
- The Korean academic year begins in March and ends in February, with two main semesters.
- Korean schools have a summer break from mid-July to mid-to-late August and a winter break from late December to late January or early February. There’s also a short spring break of about two weeks in mid-February.
- The Korean school system follows a 6-3-3-4 structure: six years in elementary school, three in middle school, three in high school, and four in university.
- Graduation takes place in mid-February before the new school year starts.
When Is Back-to-School Season in Korea?
It’s the start of spring in South Korea, usually in March!
New beginnings are celebrated with forsythia, magnolia, and cherry blossoms in full bloom, making the new school year feel refreshing and optimistic for Korean students.
Why Does the Korean School Year Start in March?
While many countries start their academic year in September, Korea is one of only three OECD countries where the school year begins in March. (Aside from Korea, the other two are Argentina and Chile!)
After liberation from Japanese rule, Korea initially adopted a September academic start under the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK).
In 1962, it was shifted to March, aligning with the fiscal year and the favorable spring weather.
Additionally, having the winter break in January and February helped reduce heating and electricity costs while protecting students’ health during the coldest months.
When Do Korean Students Get Breaks?
Summer break for elementary, middle, and high school students begins in mid-July and ends in mid-to-late August. Students are assigned vacation homework assignments.
Winter break usually lasts from late December to late January or early February, covering roughly 30 to 40 days, from around Christmas to the Seollal (Lunar New Year) holiday.
However, high school students have supplementary classes, reducing their actual break to just two weeks.
We also have a short spring break of about two weeks in mid-February, just before the new school year starts in early March.
How Does the Korean School System Work?
As explained by the Ministry of Education, the Korean school system follows a 6-3-3-4 structure.
Six years in elementary school, three in middle school, three in high school, and four in university.
The academic year consists of two semesters, with summer and winter breaks in between.
It begins in March and ends in February.
- The first semester runs from early March to mid-July, followed by a summer break.
- The second semester starts in late August and continues until mid-February, with a winter break in between.
Elementary to high school students have relatively long days, often starting around 8:30 a.m. and finishing between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
However, many students stay for additional after-school classes, self-study at night, or “hagwons” (private academies), making their days even longer.
In the 12th grade, it was normal for me to study from 7:30 AM until midnight at school.
Do Koreans Study During Chuseok and Seollal Holidays?
No, we don’t!
Korean students get a break during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) in fall and Seollal (Lunar New Year) in winter.
These are prime time for family gatherings and traditional celebrations, accompanied by delicious holiday food and festive games.
Is Winter Break Reserved for Studying?
Yes. Unlike in many countries where winter break means relaxation, Korean students use this time to prepare for upcoming exams or attend additional classes.
Despite the break, the pressure to excel academically remains strong, especially for high school students preparing for Suneung, our eight-hour version of the SAT.
When Is the Graduation Season in South Korea?
Graduations take place in mid-February, right before the new school year starts.
It’s common to see students in their uniforms taking photos with friends and family members.
When I graduated in the mid-2000s, we all received a flower bouquet and went to a Chinese restaurant after graduation for some reason.
Many students also did the flour-throwing ceremony.
According to Reporter Kim Hyun-ji at the Seoul Economic Daily, it originated from the Japanese colonial period where Korean students expressed their resistance by sprinkling white flour on their black Japanese school uniforms on graduation day.
The meaning has gradually disappeared, and only the aggression remained. The police cracked down on this culture in the 2010s and flour-throwing graduation ceremonies have disappeared into history.
Now, Korean students film dance challenges with classmates and share them on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
Do Koreans Have School Trips and Field Days?
Yes. School trips (suhak yeohaeng) are often scheduled in the spring or fall when the weather is best.
Koreans get to go on a total of three trips, each in elementary, middle, and high school (in the 6th, 8th, and 11th grades).
We normally go to Gyeongju, Jeju Island, or Japan as a 3-to-4-day excursion.
Students also look forward to field days, where we enjoy outdoor sports and athletic competitions like relay races and tug-of-war.
These events are the perfect break from the usual academic rigor.
The Korean academic year begins in spring and ends in winter.
Despite intense study sessions, Koreans still have some fun during holidays, breaks, school trips, and field days.
