Secondary schools in Slovakia (stredné školy)
What
Secondary education usually starts at the age of 15 and is organised as general, vocational and art education. Academic education is provided by four, five or eight-year „gymnasia“, and is considered a preparation for university studies. Vocational education offers specialised and practice-based programmes for specific technical, craft, social and health care and service professions leading to employment or higher education. Study at secondary vocational schools lasts from two to five years and can be complemented with post-secondary programmes. Art education is provided by conservatories for usually for five years.
Who
To become eligible for secondary studies a pupil must complete lower secondary education provided at primary schools and eight-year gymnasia. Some vocational schools provide “second-chance” programmes for early dropouts who first acquire lower secondary education and continue in apprenticeship programme.
How
Pupils who acquired lower secondary education and have not yet completed mandatory school attendance can apply for two secondary schools or two programmes within one secondary school. Pupils in the final grade of primary schools submit the application form to the school principal who distributes them to secondary schools. Applicants who are not enrolled in primary school anymore submit application directly to the chosen secondary school.
When
If the secondary school or programme requires talent examinations (e.g. at conservatories), the application forms must be submitted to the primary school principal by February 20th. Applications to other schools must be submitted by April 10th. Talent exams are conducted from the end of March until mid-April. The first round of entry exams takes place in the first half of May in both terms. The second round takes place in the second half of June.