The majority of secondary school students in Switzerland go to vocational training.

Swiss children must go to school and finish grade 9 (around 15 years old), then they will be arranged to learn a trade, study a major (70-80%) or go to university.

In Switzerland, responsibility for children's education lies with individual regions and municipalities, which have their own programs.Switzerland also has some of the best (and most expensive) private schools in the world, from kindergarten through to university.

Kindergarten

The minimum age for kindergarten is set by region, usually between 4 years and 4 years and 9 months. Kindergarten lasts until children start primary school (age 6).

Under a national agreement, two years of kindergarten will become standard across Switzerland. The minimum age for school entry (4 years) and the age-reduction date (31 July) will apply to regions that have adopted the agreement.

Elementary

Children usually start primary school at the age of 6, which is also consistent across regions. Primary school is compulsory and free in Switzerland. Regions and municipalities are responsible for the organisation and funding of primary school. In Switzerland, primary school is considered to be the first 6 years of schooling (excluding kindergarten or nursery).

Switzerland is working to harmonize its regional education systems. Photo: Swiss Info.

Junior High School

After primary school, Swiss children must continue to secondary school, which lasts three to five years, depending on the region and city. Secondary school is also compulsory and free, marking the final stage of compulsory education. Children at this level are usually aged 12 to 15. There are no national exams at the end of grade 9 (the final year of school), so students do not receive a certificate of graduation.

Children are assessed and placed in classes based on their academic performance, teacher comments, and possibly a test. Tests, behavior, and academic performance are used to determine whether a child can move up to the next grade.

In lower secondary school, children learn basic knowledge such as mathematics, geography and two foreign languages. Students at this level are well prepared for vocational education or to continue their studies at upper secondary school.

High school

Secondary education is not compulsory in Switzerland, and is divided into two groups: general and vocational. About 20-30% of students attend general secondary schools, while most of the rest attend vocational training.

Secondary schools are regulated by both local and federal governments, but local governments often set admission requirements. In most areas, entrance exams are an important part of determining whether a student is qualified to attend a particular school.

At the end of secondary school, students must write a thesis and take a series of exams. If they pass, they are awarded a matura (baccalaureate), which allows them to enter regional universities or the Federal Institute of Technology. Some universities use specific tests, for example if a French speaker wants to study medicine in a German-speaking area.

According to VNE