Education Consultant For Switzerland | EDABROAD.IN

 Is Nursery (Pre-school) Mandatory?

 Most Swiss cantons offer two years of preschool, but do not require children to attend. However, this varies by region and it is best to check with your specific cantonal authorities to be sure. In general, the majority of Swiss children attend at least one year of preschool, and over half attend two.

 Kindergarten

 The difference between kindergarten and pre-school is minimal when it comes to curricula or school age. The main distinction is that kindergarten is mandatory in some cantons as a part of primary education, while in others it is not. Requirements for how long a child must attend kindergarten also vary by canton, as some German-speaking cantons mandate a child enrolls in two years of kindergarten, but others require just one. Be sure to check your new home’s educational department before you move.

 Feeling confused? Because Switzerland’s education system varies so greatly depending on canton and municipality, expats should contact the experts at InterNations to help them decipher what the schooling options are for their young children.

 Talk to other international parents with young children in Switzerland

 Talk to other international parents with young children in Switzerland

 Primary and Secondary Schools

 Some of the best primary and secondary schools in Switzerland are public schools. Nearly 95% of Swiss residents choose to send their children to public schools because they are free, and the education students receive is of extremely high caliber.

 Primary (or elementary) school begins with kindergarten and lasts for about seven­ to eight years depending on your canton. Kids are schooled together and learn general subject like math, writing, and literature.

 Upon graduation, students take an exam that determines their track for secondary education. The exam varies from canton to canton. Many parents opt for tutors or after-school courses to prepare for the exam because much of the test material is not covered in primary school.

 Secondary School

 There are several factors that determine your child’s options for secondary school (also called high school). The first, and probably most important (and probably most predictable), is your canton. In Zurich, for example, a student has the option to enroll in standard secondary school or they can opt for langgymnasium. The standard secondary school will last three to four years and students can choose a learning specialty to focus on. Langgymnasium is for six years and prepares students for specialized careers.

 Throughout the country, secondary school is usually divided between upper and lower secondary. Again, students have many options when it comes to upper secondary because much of it depends on the canton as well as the student’s personal interests and abilities. Students can choose between a more academically minded track or a vocational track, which usually entails an apprenticeship. Students are schooled in the dominate language of the canton and they learn two foreign languages as well, most commonly, the languages of the other cantons.

 Upper Secondary School

 In upper secondary, students can also choose to attend a matura school. There are six types of matura schools that focus on different curricula:

 Math and Science (Matematisches und Naturwissenschaftliches Gymnasium)

 Modern languages (Neusprachliches Gymnasium)

 Classical languages (Altsprachliches Gymnasium)

Education Consultant For Switzerland

 Secondary School of Economics (Wirtschaftsgymnasium)

 Secondary Music and Art school (Musisches Gymnasium)

 Secondary School of Sports (Sportgymnasium)

 Like Zurich’s langgymnasium, these schools will require students pass an entrance exam. Like the exam at the end of primary school, this exam has a reputation for being extremely tough with material that is not often taught in school. If I child gets into one of these schools, they should be prepared to work hard as the schools have high academic standards in order to remain enrolled.

 At the end of the schooling there will be a finishing exam, the matura, that all students are required to pass to graduate. The exam will vary by canton, but on average students can expect to be tested on the following:

 basic subjects (math, various sciences, history, geography, arts)

 Switzerland is known for some of the best international schools in Europe. Although most of the schools have reputations for strict discipline, they are also known for their extremely high educational standards.

 Switzerland is known for some of the best international schools in Europe. Although most of the schools have reputations for strict discipline, they are also known for their extremely high educational standards.

 Schools in Switzerland for International Students

 Whether you prefer a British school, American school, or even a Japanese education, the schools in Switzerland cover a large variety of languages and curricula for international students. German schools are the easiest to come by as are French schools, since French and German are two of the official languages of the country. You will find the greatest option for these schools in the French and German cantons. Religious schools are also possible such as Christian or Catholic schools.

 Most international schools promote a bilingual program, but some even have trilingual ones. If language learning is of particular importance to your child, this is worth looking into. Teaching methods from across the globe can also be found if you plan on only staying in Switzerland for a short while.

 International School Requirements and Admission

 Switzerland has nearly 50 international schools spread throughout the country for you to choose from. Requirements vary and you can expect most to have waiting lists. While it is possible to enroll your student mid-year, it is more common to start at the beginning of the school year.

 General requirements for international schools:

 International school tuition fees average around 30,000–40,000 CHF (30,300—40,400 USD) per year. Fees may vary depending on the school and your child’s age.

 Some of Switzerland’s Top International Schools

 TASIS The American School in Switzerland