When transferring to secondary school, the six-year elementary school is completed and the three-year secondary school (four years in Ticino) begins. Around 80% of pupils make this transition. The young people deepen and expand the skills they have acquired at elementary school. During this time, they lay the foundations for vocational training or attending a secondary school. In secondary school, pupils usually belong to section A or B. These are run as A classes, combined A/B classes or B classes. In section A (secondary school A), pupils are expected to have more demanding skills and in section B (secondary school B), basic skills are promoted and required. If there is also a secondary school C, then advanced requirements are expected in secondary school B and basic requirements in level C.

In addition to elementary school, some alternatives include public art and sports schools, private schools or international schools. Home schooling would also be an alternative. Private secondary schools require a license to operate and are listed in a public register. State supervision ensures that the schools fulfill the same tasks as public schools. Teachers at private schools also need a license. There can be many reasons for private secondary schools:

• Child does not feel comfortable at public schools
• Bullying
• Underchallenge
• Lack of bilingual teaching
• Better development opportunities
• Range of sporting or artistic leisure activities
• Individual support
• Developing talents
• Targeted work on weaknesses
• Train social skills
• Looking for the best support
• Pedagogically valuable everyday school life
• Free learning and open lessons
• Paving the way to grammar school retrospectively