The public school is called Elementary school and is free of charge. Parents are free to choose a private school for their children. Private schools are subject to a fee. In Switzerland, the cantons are responsible for the elementary school. The school systems of the cantons can differ greatly in some cases. Even within a canton, schools can differ from municipality to municipality or even from school building to school building.

Voluntary
Playgroup
1. kindergarten

Mandatory (Duration: 9 years)
2. kindergarten (duration: 1 year)
Elementary school (duration: 6 years)
Secondary school I (duration: 3 years)

After the 6th grade, the children change to the orientation school (IOS) of the municipality or to the cantonal school in Sarnen, depending on their age.

In Switzerland, school takes place in block times, i.e. in the morning and partly in the afternoon. Over lunch, many students go home. If you need childcare, ask at the school if there is a lunch program and childcare modules before and after school. You can also find information about other childcare options (e.g. daycare families) in the Directory for supplementary family childcare.

An overview of the education system (in twelve languages) can be found at here.

The kindergarten is a Preliminary stage to school. When children play, they learn at the same time. In play, many children can immerse themselves in a task or a role for a longer period of time, maintain a high level of concentration and experience new things. That is why there is a lot of painting, singing, playing and dancing in kindergarten.

Children in kindergarten play alone or with other children, sometimes with the guidance of the kindergarten teacher.

Even before kindergarten, children have learned many things, such as how to listen. In kindergarten, they practice these and other important skills that they can put to good use in school and later in life. 

The Report card grades go from 1 to 6. The grades mean:
1 = very weak
2 = weak
3 = insufficient
4 = sufficient
5 = good
6 = very good

From 1st to 3rd grade, instead of grades, the report card includes Words, for example very good, good, sufficient or insufficient. From the 4th grade onwards, grades from 1-6 are used for assessment.
The school report provides information about the achievement of learning objectives. Parents must sign the report card and the child must return it to school.

The teacher will recommend the type of school that best suits your child after primary 6. In doing so, attention is paid to the child's grades as well as to his or her self- and social competence. If you and your child do not agree with the suggestion, you can tell the teacher.

Types of secondary education:
Orientation level (IOS)Alpnach, Engelberg, Giswil, Kerns, Lungern, Sachseln, Sarnen
Canton School: Sarnen

You can find more information about the transfer process here.

Class camps and school trips are mandatory school events. These events outside the classroom are important for the cohesion within the class and the belonging of your child.
Dispensation is only possible for health or other important reasons. Please contact the responsible teacher for clarification.

If you are unable to raise the amount for participation due to financial constraints, please contact the responsible teacher. For financially weak families, there are always individual solutions so that your child can still participate.

If your child is sick and cannot attend class, inform your child's teacher.
In cases of a long period of illness or after an accident, a doctor's certificate may be required in some cases.