Lower secondary level: Who can attend?
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All pupils can carry on with their education on the lower secondary level after the primary level. Principally, there are two types of schools that differ in their performance level. Types of schools with basic demands and those with extended demands. In numerous cantons, the lower secondary level is split into three types of schools. Types of schools with basic courses, with medium courses and with higher courses. Only a few cantons do without different types of schools at lower secondary level and do not make any selection from the primary level to the lower secondary level.
Transfer from primary level to lower secondary level
 | The transfer from the primary level to the lower secondary level is performed without an examination by the schools with basic courses. |
| At schools with expanded courses, the transfer is effected on the recommendation of the teachers of the primary level. Decisive factors are good academic performances (especially in the first national language, in foreign languages and mathematics). The evaluation of individual development of performances and the work and learning behaviour are now incorporated more and more often. In numerous cantons, the primary pupils must pass a test if they want to be transferred to a school with expanded courses. This is especially the case when they have not received a recommendation for the transfer to the type of school with expanded courses from their teachers. Numerous cantons are planning cantonal test documents that should be considered in addition to the recommendation of the teachers. |
Opportunities for parental influence
The views of the parents in a growing number of cantons are given considerable weight at the time of transfer to the lower secondary level. If the parents and the teachers do not share the same views, a conference takes place. The parents make the final decision, with the choice of a school type being provisional in this case.
The views of the parents in a growing number of cantons are given considerable weight at the time of transfer to the lower secondary level. If the parents and the teachers do not share the same views, a conference takes place. The parents make the final decision, with the choice of a school type being provisional in this case.
