Overview

In Switzerland and Germany, Primary School is the first stage of compulsory education stretching over 6 years. It is preceded by preschool, i.e. compulsory Kindergarten and voluntary Pre-Kindergarten education.

The Basis Level is the organizational form that combines the last year of Kindergarten and the first year of Primary School in age-mixed learning groups which stimulates a smooth transition into the primary cycle. The focus is set on learning and playing, individual learning paths and children learning from each other. Literacy and numeracy are introduced in a playful way. Assessment occurs without numerical grades.

After the Basis Level, the pupils continue in Primary School that stretches from grades 2 to 6.

At the end of Primary School, the students transfer into one of the three secondary levels – Swiss Realschule/German Hauptschule, Swiss Sekundarschule/German Realschule or Gymnasium – depending on their academic and personal performance and development level.