Middle School
For which young people is the middle school designed?
The middle school is designed for pupils with high cognitive ability. They display a high level of interest in academic content. After two years of middle school, about one fifth of young people move on to a high school. After completing the third year, most pupils study for a profession in the dual education system with or without the vocational baccalaureate.
What are the key characteristics of the middle school?
To help prepare pupils for high schools and demanding apprenticeships, subjects are taught at a comparatively high speed. In classes of up to 22, pupils are taught according to the cantonal curriculum. Pupil-centric teaching promotes personal responsibility with regard to achieving learning goals. In project-style lessons, the young people receive age-appropriate support in grasping complex content and interrelationships. When it comes to considering and choosing a career, they are introduced to a wide range of occupational fields and can match them with their interests.
Academic performance
Pupils must achieve a grade average of at least 4 in the assessment subjects of German, foreign languages, mathematics and natural sciences to remain in the middle school.
What opportunities are there for middle school pupils?
After two or three years of middle school, pupils can progress to a high school if they pass an entrance examination. In addition to the high school-leaving certificate, in the third year of middle school pupils can also aim for a technical high school (Fachmittelschule), a business high school (Handelsmittelschule) or another type of education at high school level. More than 200 apprenticeships, including those with a vocational baccalaureate, are open to middle school pupils who perform well.
The following professions are the most common:
- Business administrator
- Health professional
- Electrician
- Medical practice assistant
- Polymechanic technician
- IT professional
- Joiner
- Draughtsman
- Automation technician