The Japanese Educational System Most primary, middle and high schools follow the same calendar • Public primary and middle schools are closed on national holidays, Sundays, and the second and fourth Saturday of every month. • April 1 – first day of school for all students, and the start of first grade for those who've turned six • July 20–Aug.31 - summer vacation • Dec. 26–January 6 - winter vacation • March 20–March 31 — spring vacation Structure of educational system • Primary school: Grades 1–6 • Middle school: Grades 7–9. Students study English for three years • High school: grades 10–12. Though not compulsory, 95.9% of all Japanese go to high school - admissions is decided by testing. Visit Higashi Neyagawa Senior High School on the Web. • College: Entrance to most universities is decided by results of entrance exams and is highly competitive. Visit Setsuan University on the Web.