General information on obligatory school
4 to 8 years old - first level
The first level lasts 4 years for, as a rule, pupils aged 4 to 8. This is the first step of primary school.
Pupils may go to school as from the age of 4, provided their birthday is before the 31st July of the current year.
During this level a child goes to school for the first time. This important step from family to school aims to improve the social inclusion of a child, to complement the education it has received at home and to familiarize it with school by way of "learning by playing".
8 to 12 years old - second level
The second level lasts 4 years for, as a rule, pupils aged 8 to 12. This is the second step of primary school.
Carrying on from the first level, in the second level pupils continue to learn basic skills on the subjects specified by the curriculum. Pupils become more independent, which enables them to learn new working methods and to find their own solutions.
Learning foreign languages as from the 5th and 7th class
During this level, pupils are taught two new languages: German or French as from 5th class and English as from 7th class.
12 to 15 years old - third level
The third level lasts 3 years for, as a rule, pupils aged 12 to 15. This corresponds with the first secondary school level.
Organization and class types
As from third level classes are organized into three types. After the second level every student continues in the type of class adapted to his or her abilities and learning rhythm.
This system of different class types makes it possible to provide students with an educational support and training that will allow them to aquire the knowledge and skills expected of them by the end of compulsory school. It also makes it possible to focus more particularly on the different types of future education or training.
Students who do not fulfil the basic requirements study with an individual programme. Some schools of the "Cycle d'orientation" offer these students special classes.