When Does International School Start in Laos? A 2027 Guide

Most international schools in Laos begin their academic year in early August, while local Lao schools follow a nationally confirmed September start, marked with an official opening ceremony each year. The gap between the two is small, a matter of weeks rather than months, which sets Laos apart from several of its neighbours in this series.

For 2027 to 2028, expect a similar pattern, though international schools typically confirm exact dates around 12 months out, and the local start date is set closer to the time by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

Why the dates are close, but not identical

Laos's national school year, September to June, traces back to the country's French colonial period, which is part of why it already sits close to the international calendar rather than diverging sharply the way some neighbouring countries do. Local schools reopen nationwide on 1 September, confirmed each year with a ceremony attended by government ministers. International schools in Vientiane run their own independent calendars, generally starting a few weeks earlier in August so they can complete orientation and settle in before the first term properly begins.

Term dates and key holidays

Within the August-to-June international school year, you can generally expect:

• Lao National Day: 2 December is a fixed public holiday, observed by both local and international schools.
• Winter break: Around two to three weeks over Christmas and New Year at international schools.
• Pi Mai Lao: Lao New Year in mid-April is one of the country's biggest holidays, closing every school for around a week.
• That Luang Festival: A significant Buddhist festival in November, timed by the lunar calendar, that closes schools for a day or more.
• Plan ahead: International schools in Vientiane each confirm their own calendars, so check directly with the school rather than assuming a shared pattern.

What to prepare, and from when

Five popular international schools in Laos

1. Western Australian International School, Vientiane. Australian curriculum through to Cambridge A Level, ages 2 to 18, day and boarding. USD 3,800 to 7,440 a year depending on year group. Note: some school details on doris for this listing appear to reference a related school, worth confirming directly.

2. Heathfield International School Vientiane, Vientiane. Oxford International Curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England, ages 3 to 18. Fee details aren't published on doris for this school, contact the school directly for current tuition.

3. Kiettisack International School, Vientiane, Vientiane. Cambridge curriculum from pre-primary to A Level, ages 2 to 18, around 1,465 pupils, with a second campus in Luang Prabang. Fee details aren't published on doris for this school, contact the school directly for current tuition.

4. Vientiane International School, Vientiane. Full IB continuum, ages 3 to 18, around 480 pupils from 39 nationalities. USD 8,000 to 28,200 a year depending on year group.

5. Lycée Français International de Vientiane Josué-Hoffet, Vientiane. French national curriculum through to the Baccalauréat, AEFE network, around 525 pupils. USD 4,580 to 8,925 a year depending on track and grade.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

Check school availability in Laos on doris

Schools in Laos may have waiting lists for certain year groups, so it helps to prepare well ahead of your preferred start date.

Start by exploring schools in Laos on doris and opening the profiles of those on your shortlist. You can review admissions details and, where available, check availability or send an enquiry to ask about places, waiting lists and application requirements. Include your child’s age and intended start date so the school can give you relevant guidance.

Explore the school overview and check availability.

View admissions details, scholarships and waiting list information.

Start your school search early to give your family more time to explore options and prepare your application.

FAQ

What month does international school usually start in Laos? Most international schools start in early August. Local Lao schools start on 1 September, confirmed nationally each year.

What are the term dates for schools in Laos? Local schools run two semesters from September to June. International schools generally follow a similar August-to-June shape, so term dates are closer to the local calendar here than in most neighbouring countries.

Does the international school year in Laos match the local school year? Broadly, yes, both run roughly the same months, with international schools starting a few weeks earlier. Both close for major Lao holidays including Pi Mai Lao and National Day.

When should we start applying for a 2027 start in Laos? Around 12 months ahead, particularly for younger year groups at popular Vientiane schools.

Why is Laos's school year already close to the international calendar? It dates back to the country's French colonial period, when a September-to-June academic year was established, a pattern that has continued through to today's national school calendar.

doris is a free, impartial international school discovery platform designed to help parents find the right international school for their children worldwide. Every school profile includes fees, curriculum, admissions, pupil numbers and more. Parents can compare schools, contact schools directly, access expert parent guides, and connect with a community of parents around the world. Start your search at doris.school.

This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: school academic calendars and fee pages, Laos Ministry of Education and Sports.

Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.