Every school tweaks dates, but the month-by-month rhythm below is what most families experience across Cyprus. Use it to build your own list of questions.
September – settling in
The year begins with orientation weeks, paperwork and the first routines. Expect staggered starts for younger classes and assessment baselines for older students.
- School year starts in early or mid September, often with a short first week.
- Families confirm transport, after-school clubs and any outstanding documents.
- Older students may have internal assessments near the end of the month to set a baseline.
Questions to ask:
- Exact first day for each year group
- Whether there is a separate induction for new families or late arrivals
October – routine and the first public holidays
October is when rhythms settle and the first long weekends arrive. British-style schools may add a half-term around the national holidays.
- 1 October (Cyprus Independence Day) and 28 October (Ohi Day) are public holidays.
- Some private schools add a two- or three-day half-term break in late October.
- Staff training (INSET) days sometimes land in this month.
Questions to ask:
- Do you close only on the public holidays or also for a longer October break?
- Are there staff training days when students stay home?
November – mid-term assessments
By November teaching is in full flow. Schools test understanding, meet parents and fine-tune support plans before the Christmas rush.
- Many schools hold mid-term tests or internal exams for upper primary and lower secondary.
- Parents often receive the first progress reports or attend parent–teacher meetings.
- After-school tutoring requests usually increase once results land.
Questions to ask:
- When does the first formal assessment period fall?
- How are progress reports shared (meetings, paper, online portals)?
December – Christmas build-up and holiday break
December combines festive events with practical planning. Expect concerts, winter fairs and reminders about the long break.
- Lessons usually finish between 20 and 23 December.
- Christmas holidays last about two weeks, covering Christmas, New Year and Epiphany.
- Many schools host Christmas concerts or charity drives during school hours.
Questions to ask:
- Last teaching day before Christmas and the return date?
- Do parents need to attend any in-school holiday events?
January – back to school and a fresh start
Students return after Epiphany and begin the second term or semester. Older year groups move steadily toward mock exams.
- Most schools restart in the first week of January, often after 6 January.
- Schedules reset for clubs and transport, so confirm any changes.
- Secondary students start preparing for mock exams in February or March.
Questions to ask:
- When does the new term officially start?
- Are mid-year exams scheduled for January or later?
February – winter break and Carnival
Carnival season creates extra closures. Some schools add half terms, while older students sit mock exams before Easter revision kicks in.
- Green Monday (the start of Lent) is a public holiday and often a long weekend.
- British-curriculum schools may run a February half-term or extend Carnival weekends.
- Mock IGCSE, A Level or IB exams often start in late February.
Questions to ask:
- Any extra closures around Carnival or Lent?
- Will mock exams run in February or slip into early March?
March & April – national days and Easter break
The most intense stretch, with national holidays, Orthodox Easter and coursework deadlines all colliding.
- 25 March (Greek Independence Day) and 1 April (Cyprus national day) are public holidays.
- Easter break lasts one to two weeks and follows the Orthodox calendar, so dates shift yearly.
- Schools finish mock exams, coursework and internal assessments before or just after Easter.
Questions to ask:
- Exact Easter holiday dates for the year you care about
- Whether exams or coursework submissions fall immediately before or after Easter
May – exams, public holidays and warm weather
May combines high-stakes exams with more public holidays, so families need a calm routine for older students.
- 1 May (Labour Day) is a public holiday, and Kataklysmos can create an extra long weekend.
- IGCSE and A Level exam sessions run from early May through mid or late June.
- IB Diploma exams also take place in early May.
Questions to ask:
- How is study leave handled for exam year groups?
- Do younger classes have end-of-year tests in May as well?
June – end of year and start of summer
By June exams wrap up, younger classes finish projects and schools celebrate with performances, graduations and sports days.
- External exams finish and graduation events fill the calendar.
- Younger year groups sit final tests and showcase projects.
- Most schools finish between mid and late June before the long summer break.
Questions to ask:
- Last teaching day for each year group?
- Are there days reserved purely for exams or report collection?
