Pupils normally enter the secondary school in the calendar year in which they turn 11, following the successful completion of the European school’s primary course or an equivalent course duly certified by an officially recognized school.

The seven years of secondary education are organized in the following way:

• for the first three years (classes S1-S3), pupils follow a common curriculum, in what is known as the observation cycle. Most subjects are taught in the mother tongue (L1).
  • All pupils begin to study a second foreign language (L3) from secondary year 1 onwards and at least up to S5.
  • In year 2, Latin and Ancient Greek are offered as options.
  • In year 3, all pupils study human sciences and religion or ethics in their first foreign language (L2). Pupils who chose Latin and/or Ancient Greek in year 2 continue to study it. For the other pupils, ICT is offered as an option.

• In years 4 and 5 the compulsory course in integrated science is subdivided into physics, chemistry and biology, and pupils may choose between the advanced or the normal course in mathematics. Other options include economics, a third foreign language (L4) and Ancient Greek. Pupils have to decide on their choices by the end of S3.

• Years 6 and 7 form a unit which leads to the European​ Baccalaureate. Although there is a core of compulsory subjects, including mother tongue, L2, mathematics, a science course, philosophy, physical education, history and geography, students have a wide range of further options and may choose to study some subjects for two periods, four periods or at an advanced level. Pupils have to decide on their choices by the end of S5.  For further information please visit The European Baccalaureate.

Pupils are regularly assessed and reports are issued four times a year. Assessment is based on both course-work and examinations, although formal examinations do not form part of the observation cycle. Criteria established by the Board of Governors are used to decide whether a pupil may move up to the year above at the end of the school year (General Rules of the European Schools).

You can find the Curriculum Guide of SEE Heraklion, here.