Education & Schooling in Geneva, Switzerland

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Education & Schooling in Geneva, Switzerland

Swiss law provides that every child in the country has a right to education or training appropriate to their abilities. 

Education is managed on a cantonal basis and below is information that looks at the general cantonal responsibility, followed by an overview of the education system with detailed information on the system and process of enrolment for the Canton of Geneva, the Canton of Vaud and the Canton of Neuchatel. 

There is information on the system of childcare outside school hours (what is available and how to make use of it), information on school holidays in Geneva, Vaud, Neuchatel and Jura and an introduction to private schooling in Geneva. Finally, find out about the school medical service, where to address queries about the schooling system and the provision for special needs education in the cantons.

Cantonal Responsibility

Provision and management of state (public) education is the responsibility of the cantons. All the public educational institutions of the cantons are administered by the cantonal departments of education. There are variations in education systems between the cantons.

Each canton has its own laws relating to schooling and a cantonal Department of Education that supervises how the commune administers pre-, primary and secondary schools. 

Nevertheless, the cantons are trying to standardise their practice in the areas of compulsory schooling (duration, starting age, general curriculum) and in the recognition of equivalent certificates and diplomas. 

Private (independent) schools are likewise subject to cantonal law. pre-, primary and secondary schools are overseen by the communes, under cantonal supervision.

Organisation

The communes ensure that each child can attend the state school in their commune of residence or at least the one nearest the child's home.

Information relating to pre-, primary and secondary schools (admission, rules, transportation) and to the different schools and colleges is provided by the school authorities in each commune. Information is also available from the director of education, the Président du Département de l'Instruction Publique of the relevant canton.

The vocational guidance services (Office d'orientation scolaire et professionnelle) of each canton can provide information on the various schools, colleges and training and specialist facilities available to a student once compulsory education is completed.

• See The Swiss Portal (government website): Education Administrative Channels

Education Overview

The period of compulsory schooling lasts for nine years and consists of primary school and secondary school in all cantons. Attendance is mandatory and free of charge for all children, including foreign nationals. 

• Every child has the opportunity to attend pre-school (école enfantine) for one or two years
• On reaching six years of age, the child may continue to the compulsory school stage which lasts from age six to fifteen
• After that (15 years of age and older), the pupil must choose: 
  • vocational training 
  • a college of further education or 
  • study for a vocational (matura, maturité) school-leaving certificate

Induction classes (classes d'acceuil) are available for children with little or no knowledge of French. Suitable teaching brings them up to a certain standard and enables them to be integrated into the normal system.

Childcare, Crèche, Nursery school, Kindergarten, Jardin d'enfants

There is a distinction in Switzerland between pre-school (école enfantine) and childcare outside the family (childminders, day-care mothers, crèches, playgroups, kindergartens, jardins d'enfants or nursery schools). These facilities are sometimes run by the communes and frequently by private organisations. After the age of 4, children can go to pre-school. 

Information about what options are available can be obtained from social services of the relevant commune (Département des affaires sociales or de la jeunesse). 

For a list of addresses of crèches, kindergartens, jardins d'enfants or nursery schools contact:

• Bureau d'Information Petite Enfance (Infant Information Office)
  At: 8, rue du Cendrier, 1201 Geneva
  Tel: +41 (0)22 321 22 23
  Open: Monday to Friday from 13:00-17:45 
• For the canton of Vaud see Vaud.ch website or Lausanne Famille
• Bureau d'Information aux Parents
  At: 9 place Chauderon, 1002 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 (0)21 315 60 00
  Note: only for the city of Lausanne
  For the canton of Neuchatel see Ne.ch website  
• L'Unité Enfance
  At: 28, rue de Tivoli, 2000 Neuchatel
  Tel: +41 (0)32 717 74 62
  Note: only for the city of Neuchatel

Pre-School, école enfantine

Every child has the opportunity to attend pre-school for one or two years before starting compulsory schooling. Pre-school is free of charge. Pre-school attendance is voluntary except in Geneva, where one year is compulsory. Pre-schools take children from the age of four onwards and are the responsibility of the school authorities of the communes (or the local administration). Foreign, newly-arrived children need to provide a health insurance certificate before they can be enrolled.

• Comprehensive information from The Swiss Education Server

Primary Level

This is the first part of compulsory education. A child may begin primary schooling at age six (no younger).

• Comprehensive information from The Swiss Education Server

Lower Secondary Level

This is the second part of the compulsory education. The Lower Secondary Level provides a basic general education for children up to the age of 16. 

• Comprehensive information from The Swiss Education Server

Upper Secondary Level

The Upper Secondary Level is split up into general education and vocational education.

• Comprehensive information from The Swiss Education Server

Education in the Canton of Geneva

The education levels are known as: 

• Ecole enfantine (4 to 6 years old)
• Ecole primaire (6 to 12 years old)
• Cycle d'orientation (12 to 15 years old)
• Enseignement secondaire postobligatoire (after 15 years of age): collège/gymnase, école de culture générale or école de formation professionnelle

Enrolment in pre-school/école enfantine

Necessary documents:

• Proof of health and accidents insurance
• Residence permit

For international civil servants, a carte de légitimation or a certificate from the parent's workplace for the tutor and child as proof of residence. Parents should be aware of the deadlines for enrolment in pre-school (normally at the beginning of the year). Children who have reached the age of four on 30 June of the calendar year may be enrolled for the school year starting in August of the same calendar year. Parents may request a derogation to delay enrolment for children born between 1 July and 31 October.

Information about enrolment and other formalities can be obtained from the Département d'Instruction Publique.

Enrolment in Primary and Secondary school 

Every child registered in the canton of Geneva and under 15 years old must attend school. Children who have reached the age of six on 30 June of the calendar year must be enrolled in primary school for the school year starting in August of the same calendar year. 

To enrol in primary and secondary school the following documents are needed:

• Proof of health and accidents insurance
• Residence permit. For international civil servants, a carte de légitimation or a certificate from the parent's workplace for the tutor and child

Non-resident students have to attend the primary or secondary school of their area.

To enrol your child at a local state school in Geneva:

• Tel: +41 (0)22 327 24 12 for primary education 
• Tel: +41 (0)22 791 78 11 for secondary education

Education in the Canton of Vaud 

The education levels are known as: 

• Cycle initial or école enfantine (4 to 6 years old)
• Cycle primaire (6 to 10 years old)
• Cycle de transition (10 to 12 years old)
• Voies secondaires à options, générales ou de baccalauréat (12 to 15 years old) 
• Enseignement secondaire postobligatoire (after 15 years of age): collège/gymnase, école de culture générale or école de formation professionnelle

Enrolment in pre-school/cycle initial

Necessary documents: 

• Birth certificate or livret de famille
• Proof of health and accidents insurance
• Vaccination certificate

Parents should be aware of the deadlines for enrolment in pre-school (normally at the beginning of the year). Children who have reached the age of four on 30 June of the calendar year may be enrolled for the school year starting in August of the same calendar year. Parents may request a derogation to advance or delay enrolment for children born between 1 May and 31 August.

Information about enrolment and other formalities can be obtained from the commune or from the Département de la formation et de la jeunesse.

Enrolment in Primary and Secondary school 

Every child registered in the canton of Vaud and under 15 years old must attend school. Children who have reached the age of six on 30 June of the calendar year must be enrolled for the school year starting in August of the same calendar year. Parents may request a derogation to advance or delay enrolment for children born between 1 May and 31 August. 

To enrol in primary and secondary school the following documents are needed:

• Birth certificate or livret de famille
• Proof of health and accidents insurance
• Vaccination certificate

Non-resident students have to attend the primary or secondary school of their area. Information about enrolment and other formalities can be obtained from the commune or from the Département de la formation et de la jeunesse.

Education in the Canton of Neuchatel 

The education levels are known as: 

• Ecole enfantine (4 to 6 years old)
• Ecole primaire (6 to 11 years old)
• Classe d'orientation et classe de transition (11 to 12 years old)
• Ecole secondaire, section pré-professionnelle, moderne ou à maturité (12 to 15 years old)
• Enseignement secondaire postobligatoire (after 15 years of age): lycée, école de culture générale or école de formation professionnelle

Enrolment in pre-school/école enfantine

Necessary documents:

• Birth certificate or livret de famille
• Proof of health and accidents insurance
• Vaccination certificate

Parents should be aware of the deadlines for enrolment in pre-school (normally at the beginning of the year). Children who have reached the age of four on 31 August of the calendar year may be enrolled for the school year starting in August of the same calendar year. Parents may request a derogation to delay enrolment.

Information about enrolment and other formalities can be obtained from the commune or from the Département de l'éducation, de la culture et des sports.

Enrolment in Primary and Secondary school 

Every child registered in the canton of Neuchatel and under 15 years old must attend school. Children who have reached the age of six on 31 August of the calendar year must be enrolled in primary school for the school year starting in August of the same calendar year. Parents may request a derogation to advance or delay enrolment. 

To enrol in primary and secondary school the following documents are needed:

• Birth certificate or livret de famille
• Proof of health and accidents insurance
• Vaccination certificate

Non-resident students have to attend the primary or secondary school of their area.

Information about enrolment and other formalities can be obtained from the commune or from the Département de l'éducation, de la culture et des sports.

Childcare Outside School Hours

In some communes childcare facilities are available outside of school hours for the children of working parents. Information about what possibilities are available can be obtained from social services or the school department of the relevant commune.

Geneva

• Groupement intercommunal pour l'animation parascolaire (GIAP)
  At: boulevard des Promenades 20-22, 1227 Carouge
  Tel: +41 (0)22 309 08 20

Vaud

• See the Vaud cantonal website 
• Bureau d'Information aux Parents
  At: 9 place Chauderon, 1002 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 (0)21 315 60 00
  Note: only for the city of Lausanne

Neuchatel

• See the Neuchatel cantonal website 
• L'Unité Enfance
  At: 28, rue de Tivoli, 2000 Neuchatel
  Tel: +41 (0)32 717 74 62
  Note: only for the city of Neuchatel

School Holidays

In the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Neuchatel the school year begins at end August.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page School Terms in Geneva, Neuchâtel, Vaud, Jura

Private Schools

Private (independent) schools must provide the same level of education as state schools. All educational establishments teaching children of compulsory school age are the responsibility of the cantonal department of education.

• See The AngloFILE category Schools & Schooling
• Some private schools are listed on the website of the Swiss Federation of Private Schools (SFPS)
• For schools in the canton of Geneva see the website of the Association Genevoise des Ecoles Privées (AGEP) 
• For schools in the canton of Vaud, see the website of the Association of Private Schools (AVDEP)

School Medical Service

Each commune organises a school medical and dental service, which carries out check-ups on pupils at regular intervals. In addition, most communes run a social-medicine centre or a school psychological service.

Queries About School

In the first instance parents should turn to the class teacher, who can advise them on how the class functions, on the curriculum, and on any individual problems that may arise. 

Parents can address more general queries or concerns to the commune office responsible for the school. When disputes or problems arise, mediation and counselling is provided by the schools' inspector.

Special Needs Education

There are special types of schooling for children and young people who cannot meet the usual school standards or who need special educational programs to do so. General compulsory education applies also to children and young people with visual and hearing impairments, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental retardation, speech disorders, and behavioural disorders. 

There are about 100 centres for early childhood special education which are sponsored not only by associations and foundations but also by communes and cantons.

• Comprehensive information from The Swiss Education Server

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Special Needs Education in Geneva, Switzerland

Types of Special Needs Schooling

The cantons are responsible for special needs schooling. Special needs schooling includes:

• Schools that are subsidised by invalidity insurance (schools for mentally impaired children and young people, schools for the physically disabled, behaviourally disordered, hearing impaired, speech impaired, visually handicapped, and chronically ill children and young people)
• Special needs classes, which are closely linked to the regular school (introductory classes, at the lower secondary level, among others)
• Outpatient special needs guidance counselling, and therapy facilities (special needs educational supportive instruction, individual special needs instruction, help with lessons; speech therapy and the treatment of dyslexia; therapeutic exercise; school psychological counselling, among others).

Special needs in Geneva, Vaud, Neuchatel

For information on special needs education contact:

• Service Médico Pédagogique
  At: 16-18 Bd St Georges, 1205 Geneva
  Tel: +41 (0)22 327 43 91
• Service de l'enseignement specialisé et de l'appui à la formation
  At: Bâtiment administratif de la Pontaise, 1014 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 (0)21 316 54 00
• Service de l'enseignement obligatoire
  At: 67 rue de l'Ecluse, 2000 Neuchatel
  Tel: +41 (0)32 889 69 20

Further Information

• The Swiss Portal (federal government website) provides detailed information on education in Switzerland and on the specific authority in each commune.  Click here and select from the menu on the left
• The Swiss Education Server: Comprehensive information on the Swiss education system in all cantons
• Canton of Geneva provides comprehensive locally specific information (in French)
• Canton of Vaud Departement de la formation et de la jeunesse (in French)
• Canton of Neuchâtel provides comprehensive information (in French)
• Canton of Jura provides comprehensive information (in French)
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Education & Schooling in France