St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School
Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 400 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 190 girls, 210 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20108I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. John the Apostle National School, Knocknacarra, is a vibrant primary school serving the Knocknacarra community and surrounding areas. The school offers a balanced curriculum that blends traditional Irish primary education with a strong emphasis on creativity, digital literacy and personal wellbeing. After‑school programmes such as “Creative Kids” provide opportunities for pupils to explore art, coding and other enrichment activities, reinforcing the school’s commitment to fostering imagination and critical thinking alongside core academic subjects. The school’s facilities include well‑equipped classrooms, a dedicated creative arts space, and outdoor areas that support hands‑on learning, from science experiments to physical education. Resources such as up‑to‑date stationery lists and a healthy‑eating programme ensure that pupils have the tools and support needed for a wholesome school experience. Regular communication through newsletters, a school calendar and an active social media presence keeps parents informed of events, holidays and key dates, while the enrolment process is clearly outlined for both mainstream and autism classes.
Applying to St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
View St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School
How many pupils attend St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School?
St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School has 400 pupils enrolled, 190 girls and 210 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School a DEIS school?
No. St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School?
St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.