The school system of the Canton of Zurich: enrolment and cycles (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Compulsory schooling in the Canton of Zurich is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 15.
• The school years are divided into two phases: primary school and secondary school.

Key facts

• What: Compulsory education in the Canton of Zurich
• When: Mandatory for all children between 6 and 15 years old
• Where: Canton Zurich
• Who: All children
• Amount: No cost

The school system in the Canton of Zurich is divided into two phases: primary school and secondary school. Elementary school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 12, while secondary school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 13 and 15.

Elementary school

Elementary schooling in the Canton of Zurich is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 12. This cycle is divided into four school years, each of which has a specific objective:

• School Year 1 (ages 6-7): The child starts elementary school and learns to read, write, and do the math.
• School Year 2 (ages 7-8): The child continues to develop his/her language and math skills and begins to learn the basics of geography and history.
• School Year 3 (ages 8-9): The child begins to learn the basics of science and technology and continues to develop his/her language and math skills.
• School year 4 (ages 9-10): The child completes the elementary school cycle and learns to learn the basics of

Operational details

Elementary school in the Canton of Zurich is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 12. Children must attend elementary school for at least 4 years, which includes grades 1-4. Elementary school is divided into two phases: primary school and middle school. Primary school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 8, while middle school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 9 and 12.

Elementary school enrollment

To enroll your children in elementary school in the Canton of Zurich, you must submit an application for enrollment by February 15 of each year. The application for registration must be accompanied by a birth certificate and a vaccination certificate. Children must be enrolled in elementary school by June 30 of each year.

Elementary school cycles

Primary school is divided into two cycles: the primary cycle and the middle cycle. The primary cycle includes grades 1-4 and lasts 4 years. The average cycle includes grades 5-6 and lasts 2 years.

Elementary School

Primary school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 8. Primary school is divided into two phases: kindergarten and elementary school. Kindergarten is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 7 and lasts for one year. Elementary school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 7 and 8 and lasts for 3 years.

Middle School

Middle school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 9 and 12.

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Key points

Secondary school in the Canton of Zurich is compulsory for all children between the ages of 13 and 15. Children must attend secondary school for at least 3 years, which includes grades 5-7. Secondary school is divided into two phases: high school and vocational school. High school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 13 and 15, while vocational school is compulsory for all children between the ages of 16 and 18.

The high school in the Canton of Zurich is one of the best in Switzerland. According to the 2020-2021 school year data, there were 13,400 students enrolled in secondary schools in the Canton of Zurich. This represents 12.5% of all students enrolled in secondary schools in Switzerland.

Vocational school in the Canton of Zurich is a very popular option among students. According to data from the 2020-2021 school year, there were 4,800 students enrolled in vocational schools in the Canton of Zurich. This represents 10.5% of all students enrolled in vocational schools in Switzerland.

The high school in the Canton of Zurich is divided into three types: general high school, technical high school and artistic high school. General high school is the most popular option, with 8,400 students enrolled in 2020-2021.

The vocational school in the Canton of Zurich is divided into five types: general vocational school, technical vocational school, artistic vocational school, vocational school

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