How long is a school year in Switzerland?

The school year lasts 38 weeks and runs from the end of August to the end of June. The education system consists of several levels: primary ("école primaire") lower and upper secondary ("cycle d'orientation", secondary school)

How do school years work in Switzerland?

Compulsory education (kindergarten, primary and lower secondary) lasts 11 years in Switzerland. After that, the path typically leads to general education or vocational education and training, as can be seen below. In many cantons, there's a big choice to be made aged 14-15 after lower secondary school.

What age do you graduate in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, the average age of graduation from vocational upper secondary education is 22 years, which is the same as the OECD average (Figure 2). In almost all OECD countries, women make up the majority of those graduating from general upper secondary education. In Switzerland, the share is 57% (OECD average 55%).

What does a typical school day look like in Switzerland?

The school day is short over here. The boys go in from 8am till noon every day, and 2pm to 3.30pm twice a week – that's it! There are no catering facilities at any local schools in Switzerland; all pupils are expected to go home for lunch between 12 and 2pm. Swiss mums usually cook a hot meal at lunchtime.

Are schools free in Switzerland?

There is no free choice of school in compulsory education. Public schools play an important role in integration. Children who have different social, linguistic and cultural backgrounds all attend the same school. Public schools in compulsory education are free of charge.

Schools in Swizerland: the public school system (age 4 to 15)

How long is school day in Switzerland?

How long is a school day in Switzerland? Kindergarten (4-6yrs) starts with half days, usually 4-5 half days. Depending on the canton, times can be 8.20-11.30am or a combination of mornings and one afternoon, usually from 1.30-4.00pm. Primary school starts with 5 mornings, starting usually around 8am and 1-2 afternoons.

Are schools in Switzerland strict?

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.

What language is spoken in Switzerland schools?

For students in Switzerland, being taught in their regional language – French, German, Italian or Romansh – is the norm. Many children around the world, however, attend school in a language they don't understand.

Do Swiss schools have uniforms?

As a general rule, school children in Switzerland do not wear uniforms. School uniforms dominate in Britain, Ireland and Cyprus.

Is Health Care Free in Switzerland?

There is no free healthcare in Switzerland and individual private health insurance is compulsory for all residents. Both public and private healthcare in Switzerland is excellent. Facilities are clean and well equipped, waiting times are usually short, and medical professionals often speak English.

What food is Switzerland famous for?

Some traditional Swiss dishes, such as fondue and raclette, are more typically eaten in the winter. Others, such as muesli – also known in Switzerland as Birchermüesli – and rösti are popular all year round and come in many variations.

How religious is Switzerland?

According to the latest report of the Federal Statistical Office cumulated between 2018 and 2022 for persons 15 and older, 34.4 percent of the population are Roman Catholic, 22.5 percent are Reformed Protestant, 5.4 percent are Muslim, 7.2 percent belong to other religious groups, 29.4 percent have no religious ...

Does Switzerland allow home schooling?

Homeschooling may thus be an option depending on where you reside in Switzerland. Families who wish to homeschool must, with limited exclusions, adhere to the cantonal education curriculum as well as the official language of that canton.

Are schools paid in Switzerland?

Public schools in Switzerland

These schools are funded by taxes and there are no tuition fees attached. However, because they are managed at the level of cantons, there are regional differences. Children may be taught in French, German, Italian or Romansch, depending on where they live.

How many vacation days do you get in Switzerland?

Regardless of whether you work full or part-time, you are entitled to at least four weeks' vacation per year. Up to the age of 20, you are entitled to at least five weeks' vacation. However, if your employer agrees, or under a collective employment agreement, you may be given even more vacation time.

How long is a working day in Switzerland?

The statutory maximum working hours per day in Switzerland total 14 hours: statutory breaks must be observed within these 14 hours. Therefore, effectively a maximum of 12.5 hours of work may be carried out. It is also important to take into account the statutory rest periods of eleven consecutive hours per day.

How much vacation time do the Swiss get?

Every worker in Switzerland is entitled to at least four weeks of paid vacation per year (young people up to the age of 20: five weeks), two of which must be consecutive. Part-time workers are also entitled to paid vacations in proportion to the time worked.

Do schools in Switzerland speak English?

While English is not among the national languages spoken in Switzerland, you can find plenty of English-taught Bachelors and Masters at Swiss universities.

What is the hardest country to go to school in?

What is the Swiss school system like?

The Swiss education system is characterised by strong state schools with local roots and a high degree of permeability between the different programmes of education. The cantons are responsible for compulsory education.

What country has the longest school day?

Taiwan leads with the longest school day globally, clocking in at 10 hours. This extensive timeframe is indicative of the country's rigorous academic culture. Following closely is China, with students dedicating about 9 hours and 30 minutes to school each day.

Can kids miss school in Switzerland?

It means that students can be absent from classes for two days per school year - without having to give any reasons. "Parents do not have to apply for this absence," the canton says. "It is sufficient to inform the teacher or the school management."

What age do kids learn to read in Switzerland?

Kids learn to read “late” in first grade

In Switzerland, children start attending Kindergarten at 4 but they do not learn their letters or how to read until first grade when they are about age 6. The focus in the early years is developing cognitive and social skills and I think they do a great job at that.