Primary level: What happens after completion of the course?
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At the end of the primary level the pupils are not awarded a certificate of graduation. All pupils can carry on with their education at the lower secondary level after the primary level.
Transfer to the lower secondary level
When the pupils transfer from the primary level to the lower secondary level, in cantons with different school types a first selection is made and, therefore, a separation of the performance groups. There are basically two types of schools: schools with basic courses (e.g. "Realschule"), and schools with expanded courses (e.g. "Sekundarschule"). In numerous cantons, the lower secondary level is split up into three types of schools. Schools with basic requirements (e.g. "Realschule") and schools with medium demands (e.g. "Sekundarschule") and schools with higher demands (e.g. "Gymnasium"). On the lower secondary level, a minority group of cantons do without such a differentiation.
Choice of school type
The performances in the primary schools and the recommendation of the teachers decide which type of school the pupils can attend at the lower secondary level. The recommendations of the teachers are not only based upon school performance but increasingly through the evaluation of the individual performance development as well as the work and learning behaviour. The parents of the pupil are frequently included in this process.
Admission test
In a minority of the cantons the pupils must complete a test to be able to transfer into a type of school with extended demands. A number of cantons are planning cantonal standardised tests that should be considered in addition to the recommendation of the teachers.
When the pupils transfer from the primary level to the lower secondary level, in cantons with different school types a first selection is made and, therefore, a separation of the performance groups. There are basically two types of schools: schools with basic courses (e.g. "Realschule"), and schools with expanded courses (e.g. "Sekundarschule"). In numerous cantons, the lower secondary level is split up into three types of schools. Schools with basic requirements (e.g. "Realschule") and schools with medium demands (e.g. "Sekundarschule") and schools with higher demands (e.g. "Gymnasium"). On the lower secondary level, a minority group of cantons do without such a differentiation.
Choice of school type
The performances in the primary schools and the recommendation of the teachers decide which type of school the pupils can attend at the lower secondary level. The recommendations of the teachers are not only based upon school performance but increasingly through the evaluation of the individual performance development as well as the work and learning behaviour. The parents of the pupil are frequently included in this process.
Admission test
In a minority of the cantons the pupils must complete a test to be able to transfer into a type of school with extended demands. A number of cantons are planning cantonal standardised tests that should be considered in addition to the recommendation of the teachers.
