Lower secondary level: Overview
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The lower secondary level follows the primary level. It is the second part of the compulsory education period. The lower secondary level provides a basic general education. It prepares for a vocational education or for the transfer to a general education school at the Secondary II level (Matura school, specialised middle schools, among others).
Schools at the lower secondary level are supported by the municipalities and the canton. The canton determines, moreover, the learning objectives and stipulates the curricula. In 20 cantons the lower secondary level begins with the seventh class, in six cantons with the fifth or sixth class. Pupils between 12 and 16 years of age are at the lower secondary level.
Schools at the lower secondary level are supported by the municipalities and the canton. The canton determines, moreover, the learning objectives and stipulates the curricula. In 20 cantons the lower secondary level begins with the seventh class, in six cantons with the fifth or sixth class. Pupils between 12 and 16 years of age are at the lower secondary level.
Types of schools at the lower secondary level
In the majority of the cantons the lower secondary level are sub-divided into two to three different types of schools according to the performance groups:
In the majority of the cantons the lower secondary level are sub-divided into two to three different types of schools according to the performance groups:
 | Types of schools with basic courses |
| Types of schools with expanded courses. The cantons run two types of schools: one type of school with a medium grade of courses and one with higher courses. |
A minority of the cantons do without different types of schools on the lower secondary level.
The structure of the lower secondary level are not uniform within the cantons. Tests are being made with different models in the different cantons that should make transfer easier between the different types of schools.
School types with basic courses
In the majority of the Swiss German cantons the school type with basic courses is a "Realschule" or also an "Oberschule", a "Berufswahlschule", "Werkschule", or, in Western Switzerland, "section pratique", "section moderne", "section préprofessionnelle", or "classes à options".
These schools promote the practical abilities and the general education of the pupils and prepare for apprenticeships.
School type with expanded courses
The school types with expanded courses are called, depending on the canton, "Sekundarschule", "Bezirksschule", "Mittelschule", "progymnasiale Abteilung", "Untergymnasium", "section moderne", "division supérieure", "division gymnasiale". They expand the general education and prepare for Matura schools, intermediate diploma schools, for vocational full-time schools, or for more demanding apprenticeships.
The structure of the lower secondary level are not uniform within the cantons. Tests are being made with different models in the different cantons that should make transfer easier between the different types of schools.
School types with basic courses
In the majority of the Swiss German cantons the school type with basic courses is a "Realschule" or also an "Oberschule", a "Berufswahlschule", "Werkschule", or, in Western Switzerland, "section pratique", "section moderne", "section préprofessionnelle", or "classes à options".
These schools promote the practical abilities and the general education of the pupils and prepare for apprenticeships.
School type with expanded courses
The school types with expanded courses are called, depending on the canton, "Sekundarschule", "Bezirksschule", "Mittelschule", "progymnasiale Abteilung", "Untergymnasium", "section moderne", "division supérieure", "division gymnasiale". They expand the general education and prepare for Matura schools, intermediate diploma schools, for vocational full-time schools, or for more demanding apprenticeships.
| Lower secondary level |
 | Developments |
| Statistical data |
| Terms of admission |
| Course content |
| Requirements |
| Further education |
