Primary School - Sweden

Sweden

Main article: Education in Sweden.

In Sweden kids go to the primary school (grundskola) through the ages of 7 and 15. After that they can choose to (although it is pretty uncommon not to) study at a gymnasium for three years where they pick a program devoted to a particular direction (i.e. Science, Aesthetics, Civics). During the gymnasium all students have some subjects they have to study, but not during all three years. Almost all children attend a preparatory year at the age of 6. This initial year is not mandatory.

The children don't start receiving grades until their eighth year. This is, however, about to change according to a new proposal from the Swedish government, where grades will be given from the sixth year.