Compulsory school (11 years)
The school system is cantonal: each canton sets structure, curriculum and languages. The general structure is set by HarmoS (federal concordat):
- Cycle 1: 4–8 yrs (2 yrs kindergarten + 2 yrs primary), compulsory
- Cycle 2: 8–12 yrs (primary 3–6, or 3–6H)
- Cycle 3: 12–15 yrs (secondary I)
Total: 11 years of compulsory school in most cantons.
Languages of instruction
- French-speaking Switzerland: French + German (from 5H, ~9 yrs) + English (from 7H)
- German-speaking Switzerland: German (Schwiizerdütsch oral, Hochdeutsch written) + French/English by canton
- Ticino: Italian + French + German + English
- Graubünden: trilingual by valley (German, Italian, Romansh)
Secondary I (12–15 yrs)
Pupils are streamed by performance:
- Pre-gymnasium (challenging) → preparing for gymnasium
- General: prepping for apprenticeship or intermediate schools
- Basic requirements: CFC apprenticeship or vocational schools
Streaming is reversible: you can switch tracks.
After secondary I: 3 main paths
1. Gymnasium / gymnasium maturity (4 yrs)
- Academic route to university, EPF, HES
- 4 years (15–19 yrs)
- Diploma: gymnasium maturity
- Direct access to all Swiss universities and EPFs
- About 25–30% of pupils take this route
2. CFC apprenticeship (3–4 yrs, majority route)
- Dual training: 3–4 days in company + 1–2 days in vocational school
- ~65% of pupils take this route
- Diploma: Federal Certificate of Capacity (CFC) in 200+ trades
- Possibility of professional maturity in parallel → access to HES
3. School of General Education (ECG) / specialised maturity (3–4 yrs)
- For the undecided or future health, social, communication careers
- 3 yrs + 1 yr of specialised maturity
- Access to HES in health, social, education, communication
Professional maturity
The bridge between apprenticeship and higher education:
- 1–2 years alongside CFC or after
- Access to HES
- Also gives access to university via bridging year
Private and international schools
- International schools: Le Rosey, Beau-Soleil, La Châtaigneraie, Institut Florimont, Aiglon, Brillantmont, International School of Geneva...
- Fees: CHF 25,000–110,000/yr
- Often IB or Anglo-Saxon curriculum
- Cantonal private schools cheaper: CHF 8,000–20,000/yr
School calendar (~38 weeks)
- Autumn break: 1–2 weeks (October)
- Christmas break: 2 weeks (Dec–Jan)
- February / Carnival break: 1 week
- Easter break: 2 weeks
- Summer break: 5–7 weeks (June–August by canton)
Dates vary by canton (up to 3–4-week gaps).
Costs for families
Swiss public school is free. Side costs:
- School supplies (books, exercise books): CHF 100–300/yr
- Trips, school journeys: CHF 200–800/yr
- Canteen: CHF 8–15/meal
- Extracurricular activities: variable
Tips for newcomer parents
- Registration is at the commune of residence
- For non-French/German-speaking children: language support classes usually offered by the canton (FLE/DaZ)
- Swiss schools value independence and social mixing
- Tracks are reversible: a child in general stream can reach gymnasium via bridges
- Grade repetition exists but is the exception
- Plan for the streaming system around 11–12, which can unsettle immigrant children used to more linear systems
