Headline article

Basic education in Luxembourg

In the Grand Duchy, basic education is compulsory from the age of 4 and lasts 9 years.

It is divided into 4 cycles:

Cycle 1

It includes 4 years. First, the early education , which lasts 1 year. Aimed at 3 year olds , this year is optional . It takes place in a school in the town where your toddler lives, but can also be done in a private school.

If he has not reached the age of 3 by September 1 ^st of the year, he can join this transition year between the nursery or home and compulsory school en route (if there are still places available) .

As mentioned above, this year is not mandatory but when it is done, it ensures the child to have a place in the school of his municipality.

Cycle 1 then continues with the extracurricular education : it is mandatory , and takes place over two years . During these, the focus is particularly on learning Luxembourgish.

Each little blonde head is automatically registered in the school of his commune of residence , closest to his home.

If on the 15th of April, a few months before the first school year, you have not received any mail from your municipal administration, you are obliged to contact her (the "teaching" service): all parents or legal guardians must have registered their toddler 3 months (last limit) before back to school.

For one reason or another, if you decide to send your child to a private school , it is imperative that you notify your municipal administration via a written request, and give them a certificate of registration proving their schooling in another place.

Know that there are two types of private institutions: those with a similar educational structure to the public, and those with their own system of assessment and certification. This is the case of international schools and the Waldorf School.

Cycles 2, 3 and 4

This is primary education, which takes place between the 6 and 12 years of the child . More specifically, each cycle extends over 2 years:

The ^2nd cycle is for those aged 6 and 7 years
The ^3rd cycle is for those aged 8 and 9 years
The 4 ^th cycle is for those aged 10 and 11 years

During primary education, literacy will take place in German . The French will be taught from the ^5th quarter in the second cycle.

Just like Cycle 1, the child can join a public or private school . Note that in most cases, your offspring can follow their 9 years of training in the same establishment.