Aargau school system - explained simply

The school system in Aargau comprises various school levels, types of school and qualifications.  

In the following article, you will find plenty of helpful information about the Aargau school system. We explain how the school system of the Canton of Aargau, which forms part of the Aargau education system, is structured, and outline the various school levels, types of school and qualifications, as well as the transfer requirements.

Prepare for district school early on so that you can go on to grammar school later

Table of contents

• Basic structure of the Aargau school system
   
• The individual school levels and school types or qualifications
  • Kindergarten/Pre-school
    • Transition from kindergarten to primary school
       
  • Primary school
    • Enrolment class
       
    • Transition from primary school to upper level
       
  • Secondary Level I/ Upper Level
    • Lower secondary school
       
    • Secondary school
       
    • District school
       
    • Changing school type in the upper level
       
  • Secondary Level II
    • Vocational education and training: Apprenticeship or apprenticeship and vocational secondary school (BMS) with vocational baccalaureate
       
    • Secondary Technical school (FMS)
       
    • Economic secondary school (WMS)
       
    • Informatics Secondary School (IMS)
       
    • Grammar school (Gymnasium)
       
  • Tertiary level
    • Higher vocational education
       
    • Universities

Basic structure of the Aargau school system

The school system in Aargau, that is, the school system in the canton of Aargau, is broadly divided into the following six levels:  

• Kindergarten/Pre-school 
• Primary school 
• Secondary level I
• Secondary level II
• Tertiary level

Within the Aargau school system, a distinction is also made between compulsory schooling and non-compulsory schooling. Compulsory schooling – that is, the period during which attendance is compulsory – begins with kindergarten (2 years), followed by primary school (6 years) and concludes with secondary level I (3 years). In total, compulsory schooling – also known as primary school – lasts 11 years in the canton of Aargau.   

During compulsory schooling, lessons at state schools are free of charge, including kindergarten. In addition, pupils receive teaching aids and school materials from the local authorities free of charge.  

The canton of Aargau guarantees that every child is entitled to an education appropriate to their abilities.

Furthermore, the school system in Aargau distinguishes between state and private schools. However, compulsory schooling can only be fulfilled by attending private schools or private kindergartens if the private kindergarten or school in question has been officially approved. In the case of home schooling, this must be reported to the relevant school authority and evidence of adequate teaching must be provided in order for compulsory schooling to be fulfilled.

The individual school levels and school types or qualifications

The school system in Aargau is divided into different levels. Within each level, there are sometimes several types of school or qualifications.

Kindergarten/Pre-school

Kindergarten – also known as the pre-school level – marks the start of compulsory schooling in the canton of Aargau. The obligation to attend kindergarten applies to all children who turn four by 31 July. Kindergarten then begins the following August. 

In kindergarten, the child’s personal development, independence and the building of self-confidence are encouraged, as well as social and practical skills. Kindergarten also prepares children for school-based learning. Generally, the language of instruction in kindergarten is Swiss German (dialect).

Transition from kindergarten to primary school

The transition from kindergarten to primary school takes place on the recommendation of the kindergarten teacher, who takes the child’s development into account, specifically with regard to the skills described in the Aargau curriculum and the prognosis for the child’s future skill development. 

However, the kindergarten teacher may also conclude that the child is not ready for the transition to primary school and instead recommend entry into the enrolment class, entry into a suitable programme for children and young people with special educational needs, or repeating the second year of kindergarten.  

Between February and April of the second year of kindergarten, the kindergarten teacher holds a so-called transition meeting with the parents, during which the teacher explains the recommendation regarding the child to the parents. In making this recommendation, the teacher must base their decision on the so-called assessment dossier, in which the teacher has collected samples of the child’s work, including significant pieces of work, drawings, photos of craft projects and the child’s self-assessments. 

If the kindergarten teacher and the parents cannot agree on the child’s next steps, the decision is made by the relevant local authority.

Primary school

The pre-school level (kindergarten) is followed by the primary school, which lasts six years and comprises Years 1 to 6.

Enrolment class

If children are not yet ready for school in all respects, larger local authorities may offer them the option of attending a so-called enrolment class (Einschulungsklasse - EK). In the enrolment class, the curriculum for the first year of primary school is spread over two years. As a rule, pupils move on from the enrolment class to the second year of primary school after these two years.

Transition from primary school to upper level

The transition from primary school to the upper level (lower secondary school, secondary school or district school) also takes place via a recommendation process. The primary school teacher bases their recommendation on the assessment dossier and the interim report from Year 6. The assessment dossier contains samples of the pupil’s work collected by the teacher, including tests, significant pieces of work and assessment forms. If the parents and the class teacher cannot agree on the type of school to which the child should transfer, the relevant municipal authority must decide on the placement.  

The Department of Education, Culture and Sport of the Canton of Aargau has set out precise guidelines in the information sheet ‘Information on the transition from primary school to the upper level and on changing the type of school within the upper level’ regarding when the primary school teacher should recommend a district school, a secondary school or a lower secondary school.

Requirements for recommendation to the district school

• good to very good performance in core subjects (based on the assessment in the Year 6 interim report)
• predominantly good performance in extended subjects (based on the assessment in the Year 6 interim report) 
• particular commendation of the pupils in terms of independence, problem-solving skills and comprehension      
• ●    favourable prognosis for progression to the district school 

Requirements for a recommendation to secondary school

• predominantly good performance in core subjects (based on the assessment in the Year 6 interim report) 
• predominantly satisfactory to good performance in extended subjects (based on the assessment in the Year 6 interim report)      
• Commendation of pupils in terms of independence, problem-solving skills and comprehension
• Favourable prognosis for progression to secondary school

Requirements for recommendation to lower secondary school

• generally satisfactory performance in core and extended subjects (based on the assessment in the Year 6 progress report) 

Read also our article ‘Planning your school career in canton Aargau - it's 5th grade that counts’.

Secondary Level I/ Upper Level

In secondary level I – also known as upper level – the canton of Aargau has the three types of school mentioned above:  

• Lower secondary school
• Secondary school
• District school

The duration of schooling at all three of these types of school is three years. 

Lower secondary school

The lower secondary school provides pupils with a broad general education. With a lower secondary school leaving certificate, pupils can apply for a vocational apprenticeship.

Secondary school

Secondary school provides pupils with a more comprehensive basic education. With a secondary school leaving certificate, pupils can apply for a vocational apprenticeship or transfer to a secondary technical school (FMS), an economic secondary school (WMS), an informatics secondary school (IMS) or a vocational secondary school (BMS), although transfer to these secondary schools without an entrance examination is only possible if the following grades are achieved: 

• a minimum grade of 4.0 in Mathematics and German in the interim report or annual report 
• a minimum average grade of 5.3 in the interim report or annual report (calculated using a specific method whereby, among other things, certain grades count double and minimum grades must be achieved in some subjects)  

Those who do not meet these grade requirements may register for the entrance examination for the FMS, WMS, IMS or BMS and, if they pass the examination, transfer to the relevant secondary school. 

District school

Unlike the school system in Zurich, the Aargau school system includes what is known as the ‘district school’, a type of upper secondary school with high academic standards.

You may also be interested in the following article: ‘Zurich school system - explained simply’  

In the canton of Aargau, pupils can only transfer to a grammar school (Gymnasium) if they hold a district school qualification. In addition, pupils may also opt for a vocational apprenticeship or attend a secondary technical school (FMS), an economic secondary school (WMS), an informatics secondary school (IMS) or a vocational secondary school (BMS), although transfer to grammar schools and secondary schools without examinations is only possible if certain grades are achieved.

To transfer to the grammar school without sitting an entrance exam, pupils in the 3rd year of district school must have achieved the following grades:  

• at least a 4.0 in mathematics and German in the interim report or annual report
• an average mark of at least 4.7 in the interim report or annual report (calculated using a specific method in which, amongst other things, certain marks count double and minimum marks must be achieved in some subjects)  

Those who do not meet these grade requirements may register for the grammar school entrance examination and, if they pass the exam, transfer to the grammar school.  

You might also be interested in the following article: ‘Grammar school exam in the canton of Aargau in certain cases’

To transfer to WMS, IMS, FMS and BMS without sitting an entrance exam, pupils in the 3rd year of district school must have achieved the following grades:  

• at least a 4.0 in Mathematics and German in the interim report or annual report 
• an average mark of at least 4.4 in the interim report or annual report (calculated using a specific method in which, amongst other things, certain marks count double and minimum marks must be achieved in some subjects)

Those who do not meet these grade requirements can register for the entrance exam to FMS, WMS, IMS and BMS and, if they pass the exam, transfer to the respective secondary school.   

Prepare now for transfer to the district school!

Changing school type in the upper level

Pupils at lower secondary school and secondary school can also transfer to a higher level of schooling at the end of each school year following the recommendation procedure; that is, from lower secondary school to secondary school or from secondary school to district school. Such a change of school type may take place with or without repeating the school year. If it takes place without repeating the year, the change of school type must be reviewed by the relevant municipal authority responsible for the decision.   

Furthermore, pupils with exceptionally good results in the core subjects may transfer to the next higher school type after the first term of the first year of upper level school, provided they receive a recommendation from their class teacher. In this case, repeating the school year is not necessary.

Secondary Level II

Following secondary school, pupils in the Aargau school system have the following options in particular, provided they meet any applicable entry requirements:  

• Basic vocational training: apprenticeship or apprenticeship combined with a vocational secondary school (BMS) leading to a vocational baccalaureate
• Secondary technical school (FMS) 
• Economic secondary school (WMS) 
• Informatics secondary school (IMS)  

Those who complete the district school also have the option of attending grammar school. 

Vocational education and training: Apprenticeship or apprenticeship and vocational secondary school (BMS) with vocational baccalaureate

After completing secondary level I, pupils from lower secondary school, secondary school or district school can begin basic vocational training in the form of an apprenticeship. They can choose either a profession leading to a Federal Vocational Certificate (EBA) or one leading to a Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ). The EBA apprenticeship lasts two years. The EFZ apprenticeship lasts three or four years, depending on the profession.  

Those undertaking an EFZ apprenticeship can also obtain the vocational baccalaureate (BM I) alongside the EFZ. To do so, they must attend general education classes at a vocational secondary school (BMS) and pass the relevant examinations. Alternatively, the vocational baccalaureate can also be obtained after the EFZ apprenticeship (BM II), either as a full-time course (duration: 1 year) or on a part-time basis (duration: 2 years). Admission to the vocational secondary school is granted without an entrance exam if a certain grade average is achieved; otherwise, it is subject to passing an entrance exam (see above).

Pupils who do not yet have a direct pathway after completing secondary level I can take advantage of full-time school-based programmes or bridge programmes combined with internships. These programmes usually last one year. The bridging programmes aim to deepen pupils’ general knowledge and to specifically promote and develop their personal development with a view to their intended career path. Pupils also receive support in finding an internship or apprenticeship. 

Secondary Technical school (FMS)

The secondary technical school (FMS) lasts three years in the canton of Aargau to obtain the secondary technical school certificate, or four years if you also wish to obtain the technical baccalaureate.   

The FMS combines general education with vocational training in one of the following fields: ‘Health/Natural Sciences’, ‘Education’, ‘Social Work’, ‘Communication and Information’ or ‘Design and Art’.  

Admission to the secondary technical school is granted without an entrance exam if a certain grade point average is achieved; otherwise, it is subject to passing an entrance exam (see above).

Economic secondary school (WMS)

The economic secondary school (WMS) lasts four years in the canton of Aargau and leads to the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) in ‘Business Administration’ as well as the Vocational Maturity Certificate ‘Orientation: Economics and Services (Type: Economics)’.  

The WMS combines commercial vocational training with a broad general education.  

Admission to the economic secondary school is granted without an entrance exam if a certain grade average is achieved; otherwise, it is subject to passing an entrance exam (see above).

Informatics Secondary School (IMS)

The informatics secondary school (IMS) in the canton of Aargau is a four-year course leading to the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) in ‘Computer Science: Application Development’ and a Vocational Maturity Certificate ‘Orientation: Economics and Services (Type: Economics)’. 

The IMS combines general education with IT training and commercial vocational training. 

Admission to the informatics secondary school is granted without an entrance exam for students with a certain grade average; otherwise, it is subject to passing an entrance exam (see above).

Grammar school (Gymnasium)

In the canton of Aargau, grammar school lasts four years and leads to the grammar school leaving certificate. It provides a broad general education.  

Those who did not gain a place at grammar school in secondary level II may, under certain conditions, take the adult grammar school leaving certificate via adult education at the Aargau School for Adult Maturity (AME) once they have reached the age of 18. The maturity course there lasts three and a half years. 

Admission to the grammar school is granted without an entrance exam if a certain grade average is achieved; otherwise, it is subject to passing an entrance exam (see above).

Tertiary level

In the Aargau school system, the tertiary level is divided into higher vocational education (Tertiary B) and universities (Tertiary A).

Higher vocational education

Higher vocational education is open to individuals who have completed a Federal Vocational Certificate (EFZ) apprenticeship or a maturity (FMS, BMS, WMS, IMS, grammar school); as a rule, several years of professional experience are also required. The secondary technical school certificate qualifies students directly for certain programs at higher vocational schools (Höhere Fachschule, HF), even without professional experience.  

In addition to higher vocational schools (HF), which lead to the HF diploma (federally recognized), higher vocational education also includes higher vocational examinations (höhere Fachprüfungen, HFP) (federal diploma) and professional examinations (Berufsprüfungen, BP) (federal certificate of competence).

Universities

Higher education institutions include universities of applied sciences (FH), teacher training colleges (PH), universities, and the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH).  

Students who have earned a vocational baccalaureate at a BMS, WMS, or IMS, or a specialized baccalaureate at an FMS, are eligible to enroll in universities of applied sciences (FH). It is also possible to study at a university of applied sciences (FH) with a grammar school maturity, but in addition to the maturity, one year of work experience is required for admission. Both bachelor’s and master’s programs are offered at universities of applied sciences (FH).

Universities and Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH) are open to students who have earned a grammar school-level maturity, as well as to students who, after earning a vocational or specialized maturity, have also passed the Passerelle supplementary examination.   

Teacher training colleges (PH) are open to students with a grammar school maturity, students with a specialized baccalaureate in education, and students with a specialized or vocational baccalaureate who have also passed the Passerelle supplementary exam.  

The universities of teacher education (PH), universities, and ETH offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Universities and ETH also offer the opportunity to pursue a PhD.  

Preparation course for the grammar school entrance exam

Sources

• Check 5 in primary school – preparation for district school (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Elementary school (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• School levels (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Private kindergartens / private schools & home schooling (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Transfer procedure (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• INFORMATION SHEET Information on the transition from kindergarten to primary school (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• INFORMATION SHEET Information on the transition from primary school to secondary school and on changing the performance type within secondary school (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Planning your school career in canton Aargau - it's 5th grade that counts (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Zurich school system - explained simply (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• INFORMATION SHEET Information on admission to secondary schools (Gymnasium, WMS, IMS, FMS) and vocational secondary schools with vocational baccalaureate (BMS) from the 2022/23 school year (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Grammar school exam in the canton of Aargau in certain cases (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Vocational baccalaureate (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Vocational school (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Business school (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Informatics secondary school (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Gymnasium (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Aargau School for Adult Maturity (AME) (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Higher vocational education (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Admission to Universities of Applied Sciences (FH) (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Admission to Universities of Education (PH) (last accessed: April 14, 2026)
   
• Registration for Kantonsschule - FMS - IMS - HMS prep (last accessed: April 14, 2026)