Switzerland has a unique system of ability streaming in secondary school. This presentation explains ability grouping in differnt cantons.

1. Swiss public school system:
Ability streaming in Swiss schools
An overview of different cantons
© 2021 Swiss Education Consulting
Stefanie Busse
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Stefanie Busse

2. Local school system:
From primary to secondary school
KINDERGARTEN
PRIMARY SCHOOL
SECONDARY
High stream
Sek. A
(Sekundar/Sec.)
4-6
12-
16
6-
12
Age
SECONDARY
Intermediate stream
Sek. B (ZH)
(Realschule/ Sec.)
Lower university
prep school
*Gymnasium
(Liceo/Gymnase)
2
SECONDARY
Basic stream
Sek C
(Werkschule)
*only some cantons!

3. Transition from primary to secondary school:
• German part up to 4 ability streams/ schools
• Other parts 1-2 streams (Ticino), 2-3 streams French part
• Entry to Gymnasium stream after primary or secondary: ZH, SG, ZG
Primary
(Grade 1
Sek. A
(sec. upper stream)
Sek. B
(sec. intermediate stream)
Sek. C
(basic stream)
Unterstufe Gymnasium
(junior university prep)
school )
Grades & teacher assessment
or exam (ZH…)
Grades & teacher assessment

4. Transition from primary to secondary
• 2-3 performance streams
• Gymnasium entry only after secondary: SZ, Ticino, French part
Primary
(Grade 1
* grade 5 in TI
Sek. A
(sec. upper stream)
Sek. B
(sec. intermediate stream)
Sec. C (basic stream)
Grades & teacher assessment

5. Transition from primary to secondary schools
• Different types of secondary school models in
different regions
• From separate ability schools to semi-
comprehensive to comprehensive school with
ability sets
• Easier change between levels in
comprehensive models
• Can vary even within cantons! E.g. canton
Luzern uses all three school forms

6. Lower secondary/ Sekundarstufe: Option 1
Separate secondary school model:
• Separate ability streams, different curriculum low level of
fluidity
• e.g. Schwyz, Aargau
Sek A
(upper stream)
Sek B
(intermediate stream)
Sek C
(lower stream)

7. Lower secondary/ Sekundarstufe: Option 2
Niveau/Set B
Niveau/Set A
Sek B
(intermediate stream)
French or
English
Maths
(German)
Sek A
(Upper stream)
Niveau/Set C
Semi-comprehensive model:
• Same school, different streams or "homerooms",
depending on canton/municipality 2-3 different performance sets
in 2-3 subjects.
• e.g. Zug and Zurich

8. Lower secondary/Sekundarstufe: Option 3
Comprehensive model:
• Same school, mixed ability classes/ homerooms, different performance
sets in 2-3 subjects:
• Parts of Luzern, Berne, Ticino…)
Niveau B
Niveau A
Maths, French
and/or
German
Niveau C
Sek A/B/C (upper-basic streams)

9. Transition from primary to secondary schools:
• Gymnasium (university prep. school)
Primary
Junior uni prep.
school
(Gymnasium)
2 years
Senior prep. school
Gymnasium/
4 years leading to
‘Matura’
Secondary
Upper stream
(Sek. A)
After 2 or 3
years
• 2. options for entry to university prep. school in some cantons
Option 1
Option 2
Kanton ZH and Schwyz:
50% grade average & 50%
entrance exam in M/D and
FL (SZ)
Kt. Zug: average grade

10. Local school system:
SECONDARY
High stream
Sek. A (ZH)
Sekundar (ZG/SZ)
12-
16
Age
Upper university
prep school
(Kurz)
Gymnasium
HIGHER SECONDARY
Specialist school
Fachmittelschule
VOCATIONAL
TRAINING&
EDUCATION
Berufsausbildung
16-
19
SECONDARY
Intermediate stream
Sek. B (ZH)
Realschule (ZG/SZ)
3-4 years
3-4 years
Lower university
prep school
Gymnasium
(only ZH/ZG)
UNIVERSITY
Universität/ETH
University of Applied
Sciences
Fachhochschule
10
1yr university
entrance exam/
Passarelle
1 yr. Berufsmatura/
professional Matura

11. Swiss Education Consulting offers advice and guidance
on the Swiss education system
Private online consultations and company webinars
For more information visit:
swisseducationconsulting.ch