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Zurich is a top-class center of learning. Its broad range of educational options also includes high-quality public schools. The education system in the Canton of Zurich is governed by the Office of Elementary Education of the Canton of Zurich Department of Education. The information given below has been collated from documents issued by the Volksschulamt (Office of Elementary Education).
Place of residence is the key factor in a child’s placement with a particular school. If you are a resident in the City of Zurich, the Schulpflege (school committee) for your district will make the decision. If you live within another commune in the canton, the decision lies with the school committee for that commune. These committees are in charge of ensuring that children go to school, and will decide which particular pre-school (kindergarten) or school facility your child will attend.
All children and teenagers of school age who are resident in a commune in Zurich will be enrolled in school when they arrive, regardless of their residency status.
Information for parents of newly arrived children and students
Children and students who do not speak German when they arrive will be given additional lessons to help them learn the language when they start school. Some schools also run «reception classes». Children from different educational backgrounds can attend these classes for a maximum of one year to learn German and prepare their move to a regular class.
Information on «German as a second language» (in german)
The kindergarten is the first level of elementary school. It last two years is compulsory. All children who have reached the age of four by 31 July must attend kindergarten from the start of the next school year (mid august). Primary school follows on from kindergarten and lasts six years. Secondary school follows on from primary school and lasts three years.
Starting kindergarten (in german)
Information on primary school (in german)
Information on secondary school (in german)
The school year begins in mid-August and runs until the beginning of July the following year. Lessons are interrupted by a total of 13 weeks of school holidays: In the autumn, at Christmas, for winter sports, the spring break, and in the summer.
School holiday dates for the Canton of Zurich (in german)
School holidays and school-free days in the City of Zurich (in german)
Lessons, or care, begin at 8:00 am for everyone, and go on until 12:00 noon. Children and teenagers have individual timetables in the afternoons.
Timetables and attendance blocks (in german)
The communes provide a range of needs-based services for childcare before and after school, subject to a charge. These services include meals.
Daily care facilities for families with school-age children (in german)
