School start dates in Chengdu vary depending on the type of institution and the specific academic year. For the 2024-2025 academic year, many local primary and secondary schools officially began on Monday, September 2, 2024. International schools in the city often follow different schedules; for instance, the QSI International School of Chengdu began its 2025-2026 school year on August 21, 2025, while other international institutions may start the autumn term as early as mid-August. Higher education institutions like Sichuan University typically divide the year into two semesters, with the autumn semester generally starting in September and the spring semester beginning in March. Because exact dates can shift annually based on the lunar calendar and the timing of the Chinese Spring Festival, it is best to consult the specific academic calendar of the school in question.