Registration open for the Reykjavík School of Work
Registration for the Reykjavík School of Work's summer 2026 program opened today. The School of Work's core mission is to provide upper-grade primary school students in Reykjavík with meaningful summer activities and education in a safe work environment. All students in grades 8, 9, and 10 can work on a wide range of assignments in Reykjavík, mostly involving gardening and maintenance.
Three work periods
Each student will be allocated work during one working period in the summer of 2026.
- June 11 to July 2
- July 3 to July 23
- July 24 to Aug. 14
Each period has 15 working days. Work is carried out all weekdays except holidays. There is no work on statutory holidays. Eighth-grade students work 3.25 hours a day, while ninth- and 10th-grade students work 6.5 hours daily.
The School of Work operates primarily as an outdoor program. Most projects involve tending plants and garden beds across municipal land and institute premises throughout the city. The main tools used for the work are various small hand tools for garden bed care, shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows.
We at the School of Work want to mention that we will continue increasing the diversity of jobs for students from grade 10th Students who prefer alternatives to traditional gardening and maintenance groups may receive placements assisting at preschools, after-school programs, and other City workplaces. Statistics from the School of Work's most recent year reflect this trend.
100 summer positions for 17-year-olds
As in previous years, the program will offer 100 summer positions to 17-year-olds, with special consideration for young people in vulnerable situations. These 100 positions span various roles, including working with children, assisting older adults, and caring for the city's municipal land.
Interested 17-year-olds who have not yet applied can join the summer positions waitlist, which remains open to anyone with legal residence in Reykjavík.
Find the link to the waitlist below: Summer positions waitlist | Reykjavík
School of Work 2025 by the numbers
- The program placed 663 School of Work participants at preschools and after-school programs.
- Another 587 participants secured placements at sports and youth organizations.
- In total, 1,250 School of Work participants served in these roles during summer 2025.
- Overall School of Work enrollment in 2025 reached 3,486 students.
- Overall, 35.9% of School of Work students filled roles at preschools, after-school programs, and sports and youth organizations.
Every student who registers for the School of Work receives a placement; however, late registration reduces the chances of accommodating preferences for specific workplaces, periods, or special projects.