The Government Council of the Canton of Aargau has approved a cantonal reform of the grammar schools in Aargau, which will take effect beginning with the 2027–2028 school year. The aim is to adapt the grammar school system in the Canton of Aargau to current societal developments and ensure its long-term viability.

The reforms include: a standardized curriculum for all grammar schools in the Canton of Aargau; an updated selection of subjects; sports will be relevant for promotion; additional Matura exam subjects such as physics or history; and a requirement that schools have a plan for exchange programs, student mobility, and contributions to the common good.

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The most important points in brief:

Starting with the 2027–2028 school year, a reform of Aargau’s grammar schools will take effect for new students.
The grammar school reform includes in particular the following: a uniform curriculum for all Aargau grammar schools, changes to the range of subjects offered, sport will be relevant for promotion, additional Matura examination subjects such as physics or history, schools must have a concept for exchange, mobility and contribution to the common good.
The first Matura diplomas under the reform will be awarded at the end of the 2030–2031 school year.

Table of contents

Uniform curriculum for all grammar schools in the canton of Aargau
Subject offerings changed
Sports as a subject will be eligible for promotion from 2027/2028
Additional subjects for the Matura examination: Physics or History
Schools must have a concept for exchange, mobility, and contribution to the common good
The reform will apply from 2027/2028 for newly enrolled students

Uniform curriculum for all grammar schools in the canton of Aargau

With the grammar school reform in Aargau, a canton-wide standardized curriculum will be introduced starting in the 2027/2028 school year, which will apply to all Aargau cantonal schools across all three programs:

grammar school
Bilingual Program with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
Program for Elite Athletes

The new curriculum specifies the contribution of each subject to the cross-curricular areas of scientific foundations, digital literacy, interdisciplinarity, education for sustainable development, and civic education.

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Subject offerings changed

The core subjects will be expanded to include computer science as well as economics and law, although these subjects were already mandatory.

Starting in 2027/2028, schools will design the emphasis subjects based on three overarching themes specified by the canton, and these subjects will have an interdisciplinary focus.

In the focus subject area, the following new focus subjects will be available starting in 2027/2028:

“Computer Science and Its Applications”
“History and Geography”
“Literature, Language, and Culture”

For supplementary subjects, there are also cantonal guidelines and five overarching themes within which schools can structure the subjects.

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Sports as a subject will be eligible for promotion from 2027/2028

Another new development is that, starting with the grammar school reform in 2027/2028, physical education will count toward promotion in the first, second, and third grades of grammar school. This means that starting in 2027/2028, in addition to the required subjects—including foundational subjects, an emphasis subject, and a focus subject—physical education will now also be a decisive factor for advancement to the next grade level.

In the press release from the Canton of Aargau, the future role of physical education in determining promotion is explained as follows:

“The subject contributes to achieving the educational goals of the grammar school, to general academic readiness, and to enhanced social maturity. This goes hand in hand with the requirement for modern physical education that promotes multifaceted skills, combining motor and cognitive abilities, social interaction, and a reflective awareness of one’s own body.”