Education Consultant For Switzerland | EDABROAD.IN

 Education Facts in Switzerland

 Homeschooling is not common in Switzerland, and some cantons even outlaw it. If you plan to homeschool your child, be sure to check your individual canton laws.

 Cantons encourage parental participation throughout primary and secondary school. Part of this participation includes supporting foreign families. Do not be surprised if Swiss nationals from your child’s school reach out to you.

 What is the Education Like in Switzerland?

 Much like its healthcare system, education in Switzerland is decentralized. Education standards are set by each individual canton, and there are slight differences depending on if the canton is predominantly German, Italian, or French. That is why, if you move from one canton to another, the switch will require some adjustment on the student’s part. Note that schools can vary widely when it comes to school calendar, education structure, teaching methods, and curriculum. However, no matter where you live in Switzerland, the quality of education here is high.

 Overall, the educational approach throughout the school system as a whole is focused on nurturing a child’s inherent abilities. In primary school, students are schooled together. After primary school, students are separated according to their academic abilities and interests. Most schools and cantons implement placement exams to do so.

 What are the School Systems Like in Switzerland?

 Requirements for compulsory schooling rests with each canton, and each municipality is responsible for organizing their own schools. This allows schools to tailor their school programs to meet the local needs of their community.

 Compulsory education in Switzerland lasts for nine to eleven years depending on the canton. In most cantons, children must begin primary school at age six. Primary school lasts eight years; however, only six of them are mandatory. Mandatory secondary education lasts for three years, but in some cantons it is four.

 Cantons create their own school calendar, but the school year in Switzerland typically starts mid-August or September and ends in May or June. Schools typically follow twelve-week semester systems with two semesters per school year.

 School Ages in Switzerland

 Although school ages vary by canton and municipality, these are the general ages of students and their corresponding school years:

 Kindergarten 4–6 years old Primary School 6–12 years old Lower Secondary 12–15 years old Upper Secondary 15–18 years old

 Public school costs are free and are funded by high tax rates. Your child should be allowed to enroll at any point during the school year, but rules may vary by canton. The most common documents you will need to enroll your child are:

 child’s birth certificate

 proof of health and accident insurance

 resident permit

 Contact InterNations if you would like to work with an advisor that can help you find a the perfect school for your children and assist you with the application process.

 Main Differences Between Public and Private Schools

Study In Switzerland

 The education standards between public and private schools are so similar that most Swiss nationals enroll their children in public schools. However, there, the classes are taught in the dominate language of the canton (German, French, Italian, or Romansh). So, if your child needs instruction in English or a different language, you should look into private or international schools.

 Other differences include the school cost: public schools are free, whereas private schools are expensive to attend: 9,000—30,000 CHF (9,090—30,300 USD) for day classes; 70,000—90,000 CHF (70,700—90,900 USD) for boarding school. Additionally, private schools also have smaller class sizes, while the average public-school class has around 20 students.

 Daycare and Kindergarten

 There are plenty of daycare and kindergarten options for families living in Switzerland. Keep in mind that the names of schools, such as “daycare” and “kindergarten,” may change depending on the dominant language of the canton.

 Daycares in Switzerland are referred to as crèches in French-speaking cantons and Krippe or KiTa in German ones. Daycares accept children before they turn one-year-old and all the way up until when they can begin kindergarten. These schools are mostly used by parents who need to go to work every day.

 Fees for daycares are notoriously high in Switzerland. Depending on where you live, prices range around 60­–150 CHF (60–150 USD) per day. In the bigger cities, the prices will be even higher. It is not uncommon for Swiss families to spend nearly 30% of their income on childcare options. For families who cannot afford these prices, some cantonal authorities provide subsidized options for as low as 10 CHF (10 USD) per day. Some schools may even give discounts for siblings.

 To enroll your child, parents should approach crèches in person. Be aware that there are usually waiting lists. Crèches can be in an official building or run from a designated crèches worker’s home.

 To enroll your child, parents should approach crèches in person. Be aware that there are usually waiting lists. Crèches can be in an official building or run from a designated crèches worker’s home.

 Nursery (Pre-school)

 Nursery can be called pre-school as it comes before the compulsory school age. Children can attend nursery as young as four years of age, although some cantons may require your child be four years and nine months. Parents should apply in writing.

 Schools operate between 08:30–12:00, break for lunch, and return from 13:00–15:30. Nursery school programs are set by each canton, but curricula typically focus on cognitive and social development. At this age, the child’s performance is rarely assessed and there are no selection criteria.

 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