What is the difference between primary and secondary school?

Elementary school provides basic education, while secondary school builds on this and prepares students for vocational education and training (VET) or further education. The main difference between primary and secondary school lies in the age of the students and their level of education.

Elementary school teaches basic skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic. In Switzerland, elementary school generally comprises the first school years after kindergarten. Secondary school follows on from this and deepens the academic content with higher standards and greater performance differentiation. Depending on the canton, secondary school is divided into different performance levels, which can influence the further educational path.

Typical differences:

• Elementary school: basic education, basic knowledge, approx. 1st-6th school year
• Secondary school: in-depth content, preparation for vocational training or further education
• Requirements: Higher level of performance and more independence in secondary school
• Goal: Transition to apprenticeship, grammar school or other further education pathways

Primary and secondary school together form the compulsory school period in the Swiss Education System.

Conclusion:
The main difference between primary and secondary school lies in the level of education and the preparation for the future life and career path. If you would like to find out more, you can find out more about the Swiss Education System and possible follow-up training.