Education

In every community in Liechtenstein there are community schools. These consist of kindergarten and the subsequent elementary school. Not every municipality has a secondary school such as Oberschule or Realschule. In Liechtenstein there is a secondary school located in Vaduz.

The different school levels are explained below.

Here is a general overview of all schools in Liechtenstein:

Kindergarten

Kindergarten lasts 2 years. Children from the age of 4 can attend it. Attendance is voluntary, but the vast majority of children attend kindergarten. Children who cannot speak German or speak little German must attend kindergarten for at least one year before starting school. Kindergarten is integrated with elementary school in the so-called community school.

Elementary school

At the age of 6, children start school (elementary school). It consists of 5 school years. If children need more support, they get it through special promotions. Children and adolescents whose development is impaired can attend the special education day school of the Heilpädagogisches Zentrum in Schaan.
It is very important to promote permeability between the different types of schools. If there is a reason, children should be able to switch between school types. This can happen if a child has problems at school, or also if the performance is very good.

Secondary school

After elementary school, children and young people attend the 4-year lower secondary school.
Here there are 3 types of schools:
Secondary school, Realschule and Gymnasium.
Which type of school you can attend depends on your performance in elementary school. All schools at the lower secondary level are general education schools. However, they differ in the level of requirements. Secondary schools prepare students between the ages of 11 and 16. For example, for vocational schools. Or to other secondary schools.

Oberschule

The Oberschule is a general education school with different levels of requirements. It comprises grades 6 to 9.
Here, students are prepared for professional life or for transfer to a secondary school.
Small classes allow a close attention to the needs of the children and adolescents.

Realschule

The Realschule is a challenging and achievement-oriented school. The children and adolescents are prepared here for demanding vocational apprenticeships. Or for the transfer to the upper level of the Gymnasium or to a vocational baccalaureate school.
It comprises grades 6 to 9.

Gymnasium

The Gymnasium lasts a total of 7 years. It ends with the Matura examination. It provides a broad education and prepares students for university studies. The lower secondary school lasts 3 years. Transfer from the Realschule to the Gymnasium and vice versa is possible up to the 4th grade. Thus, there is a good permeability within the Liechtenstein school system.

Voluntary 10th school year

The voluntary 10th school year can be attended after completion of lower secondary school. It lasts one year and aims to prepare students optimally for their professional future. It offers 4 different focuses - depending on interests and individual performance.

Sports School

Some students are involved in competitive sports. For these young people, there is the Liechtenstein Sports School. It aims to prepare young people for a career in competitive or top-level sports. Under certain conditions, they have the opportunity to attend secondary level I at the Realschule Schaan or secondary level II at the Gymnasium.

International School Rheintal (ISR)

The ISR, Buchs, offers students an internationally recognized school education in English.

formatio Private School

The state-approved private school offers 3 school levels: Primary School, Secondary School and Upper Secondary School.

School fees are payable for each school year.

Timeout School (TOS)

The Timeout School Liechtenstein is for young people between the ages of 11 and 16. It can be attended if young people are in a difficult situation at school, in their family or in their private life. Intensive work is done at the regular school before the Timeout School becomes an issue. The request for a place in the Timeout School is made by the school social worker at the regular school. A regular school is, for example, a high school, a junior high school or a grammar school.

Special education day school of the Special Education Center (HPZ)

In the special education day school of the HPZ, children and adolescents between the ages of
4 to 18 years (in exceptional cases up to 20 years). Special educational means that these children and adolescents have special learning needs.
The special education day school is divided into the special education school and the speech therapy school.

Liechtenstein School of Music

The Liechtenstein Music School teaches music-loving children, adolescents and adults. There are individual and group lessons. Lessons are offered in various musical instruments, singing and music theory.

Liechtenstein School of Art

The Liechtenstein Art School is a place for art and design. There are classes and courses for children, teens and adults. There is also a one-year, full-time preliminary course.

Senioren-Kolleg

The Senior Citizens' College runs a series of lectures on topics such as natural science, medicine, literature, history, law, economics, music and art.

See the School Vacation Calendar for an overview of school vacations for the current school year.

School social work is a low-threshold service provided free of charge to public schools by the Liechtenstein Education Authority. It accompanies children and adolescents in the
Process of growing up, supports them in coping with life and promotes their competencies for solving personal and social problems. Teachers and parents are strengthened in their educational tasks and the school is supported in socio-pedagogical matters.
For more information, please visit:

Some children have problems at school. For example, with learning. Or there are problems with behavior. Then the School Psychological Service can help. It supports students, parents and teachers. Detailed information can be found here: