The Greek Educational System

The Greek Educational System

7th Primary School of Alimos, Greece

The Greek educational system is mainly divided into three levels

Levels Primary education

 Kindergarten • Ages 3 - 4  Preschool • Ages 4 - 6 • Compulsory  Primary School • Ages 6 – 12 • Compulsory • Schools for children with special needs (blind, deaf, learning difficulties)

Secondary education  Middle School (Gymnasium) • Ages 12 – 15 • Compulsory  High School (Lyceum) • Ages 15 – 18 • Not compulsory • Three Types • General High School (an academically oriented ) • Vocational High School • Evening High School

Tertiary education  University • Typically 4 years, some are 5 or 6 years (like medical schools)  Polytechnics • 5 years

Free education  None of the educational levels cost money, including the textbooks.  However, there are available options for enrollment into private schools.

Schedule and Subjects  School days begin at 8:15 and end anywhere between 13:15 and 14:10  40-45-minute classes, with 3 breaks (20’, 15’, 10’) for primary school, and 5 breaks (10’) for secondary school Primary School

Middle School

High School

 Variety of subjects across the 6 grades • Greek Language, Maths, History • Music, Arts, Physical Education, Religious studies • Environmental studies, Social and Political Studies • Computer Studies • English, second foreign language ( German or French)

 New subjects • Ancient Greek Language • Modern Greek Literature • Physics, Chemistry, Biology • Technology

 Orientations • 2nd grade • Humanitarian studies • Sciences • 3rd grade • Humanitarian studies • Science studies • Economics and Computer Science

Primary school

Middle school

School Vacation  The school year always starts on September 11 and ends on June 15.

 The students have summer vacation (about 3 months), Christmas vacation (2 weeks) and Easter vacation (2 weeks).

Students with Special Needs 1. Integration Class, with a teacher for special needs.

2. Class assistant teacher for students with disabilities such as autism.

Extracurricular classes and activities  For students whose parents are at work, there are extracurricular classes and activities, from 7am to 8am, and later from 1:15pm to 5:30pm.  Students can participate in activities such as studying, doing their homework, physical education, drawing, music, and computer classes.

Vocational schools Provide vocational training and education in 14 fields for 42 different areas of specialization

Panhellenic national examinations  The students must take the Panhellenic national Examinations to proceed to the Higher Tertiary education. These exams are held after the students have received their certificate. The students pass into a specific Higher Educational Institute based on the Orientation and Group chosen.