mid-year breaks are standardised. Due to the start of certificate exams, post-primary schools are usually not open for tuition after the Friday before the June public holiday (the first Monday in June) in any year. Primary schools must be open for a minimum of 182 days of tuition a year and for secondary schools that number is 166. First Day of School: The school year generally starts during the last few days of August or first few days of September. Return dates for Secondary schools are usually staggered depending on what year you are in. Halloween Break: Schools close for one week at the end of October for the midterm break. This break usually encompasses Halloween (October 31) Christmas Break: Schools close for two weeks at Christmas time. Those two weeks always encompass Christmas and New Year. Schools will close no later than December 23rd and reopen no earlier than January 4th. Spring Break: Schools close for another week in mid-February for the spring midterm. St Patrick's Day: Schools are always shut on March 17 as it is a public holiday. If March 17 falls on a weekend, schools are closed on the Monday immediately following. Some schools may tend to take an extra day or two to extend this break. For example if March 17 is a Thursday, schools will close on the Friday, and Monday following to make it a five day break. Easter Break: Schools close for two weeks for Easter. Schools generally close for Easter break on the Friday one week before Good Friday, and reopen on the Monday one week after Easter Monday. May/June Break: Some primary schools may take another week off in May or June, if they have not taken a full week off in February. Summer Holidays: Secondary schools generally finish for summer on the first Friday of June or the last Friday of May. Exam years will sit 1-3 weeks of State Exams during June. Primary schools will generally finish on 30 June, or the last friday of June for summer break. Italy In Italy, most school holidays are determined by the Ministry of Education, and are valid for all public schools of every order and grade. There are Summer holidays from mid-June up to the second week of September, except for students taking final exams in Middle and Superior schools, as those exams can go on until mid-July. Christmas (Winter)