Capital: Rome
Official language: Italian
Ethnic groups: 94.2% Italian, 1.94% Romanian, Albanian,Ukrainian
Area: 301,338 km2  116,346 sq mi
Population: 60 million
Food: Pasta, Pizza, Gelato
Sport: Soccer

There are several types of schools differentiated by subjects and activities.

The main division is between the “Liceo”, the “Istituto Tecnico” and the “Istituto Professionale”.

Any kind of secondary school that lasts 5 years grants access to the final exam, called Esame di Stato conclusivo del corso di studio di Istruzione Secondaria Superiore or Esame di Maturità. This exam takes place every year in June and July; passing it opens access to any faculty at any University.

Capital: Madrid
Official language: Spanish
Ethnic groups: 88.7% Spanish, 11.3% Other (Romanian, Moroccan, Ecuadorian, Colombian, British)
Area: 504,030 km2  195,364 sq mi
Population: 47 million
Currency: Euro
Food: Paella, Tapas, Crema Catalana
Dance: Flamenco

Known as LOE after the Ley Orgánica de Educación, or Fundamental Law of Education, state education is compulsory from 6 to 16 years of age.

The (post-compulsory) advanced level offered by Spanish schools is the Bachillerato.
It encompasses grades 11 and 12, and is the preferred continuing education option for many, particularly those wishing to go on to university.

Core curriculum
Language and Literature
Physical Education
Spanish History
History of Ideas and one optional course

Optional Courses
Arts: History of Art, Volume (sculpture), Colours (painting)
Nature and Health Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Earth Sciences/Mathematics
Sciences & Engineering: Physics, Maths, Chemistry/Technical Drawing
Social Sciences: Applied Maths, Economics, Geography, Sociology/Psychology
Humanities: Latin, Greek, History of Art/Psychology

Capital: Paris
Official language: French
Area: 674,843 km2  260,558 sq mi
Population: 65 million
Currency: Euro
Food: Croissants, Cheese, Pastries
Sport: Cycling, Boules

French secondary education is divided into two levels:

The collège for the first four years directly following primary school. 11 through 15 years of age equivalent to junior high school in Canada

Yhe lycée for the next three years. 16 through 18 years of age equivalent to senior high school in Canada

School starts around 8:30 and ends around 15:30

Capital: Brussels
Official languages: Dutch, French, German
Area: 30,528 km2   1,787 sq mi
Population: 10.6 million
Currency: Euro
Food: Waffles, French Fries, Chocolate
Sport: Cycling, Tennis

After successfully graduating from primary school around age 12, students enter secondary education (age 12 – 18), which consists of three cycles:

• First cycle (years 1 and 2) provides a broad general basis.
• Second cycle (years 3 and 4) and Third cycle (years 5 and 6) are  more specific.
• Opportunity to choose between different “menus”, like Math-Science, Sociology-Languages or Latin-Greek.
• Core subjects are compulsory, e.g., mother-tongue course, sport, history, math, biology, etc…

This mix between compulsory and elective courses grouped in menus makes it possible to keep class structures balanced.

• Students commence secondary education (Years 9-13) at approximately 13 years of age.
• The school year, based on four terms, commences in early February and finishes in mid December.

Avondale College

Avondale College is a high tech facility on a 26 acre campus offering a large choice of subjects to 2700 students. In addition to the excellent curriculum (including the Cambridge International Examination) students have the opportunity to participate in sports (38), music (choir, band, orchestra), live theatre (8 musical and drama productions each year). Avondale College also offers various activities and excursions;

• farm stay weekends,
• trips to South Island,
• one week outdoor camp experience including mountain biking, caving, rafting, swimming in thermal pools,
• weekend trips to islands for zorbing, gondola rides, sea kayaking, hiking

Capital: Amsterdam
Official language: Dutch
Ethnic groups: 80.9% Ethnic Dutch, 19.1% Various Others
Area: 41,526 km2    16,033 sq mi
Population: 16 million
Currency: Euro
Food: Pannekoeken, Croquettes, Cheese
Sport: Cricket

There are three streams in the Dutch high school system:

• The VMBO lasts four years and leads to vocational qualifications.
• The HAVO lasts five years and leads to technological institutes, which award professional bachelor’s and professional master’s degrees. A degree at a technological institute also gives access to the university system.
• The VWO education of high school lasts six years, completion qualifies students to attend a university.
• Visit this YouTube video to learn more about studying abroad in the Netherlands

Compulsory Education from age 5 to 16; and up to age 18 in VWO

Capital: Berlin
Official language: German
Ethnic groups: 91.5% German, 2.4% Turkish, 6.1% other
Area: 357,021 km2     137,847 sq mi
Population: 82 million
Currency: Euro
Food: Potato Salad, Bratwurst, Black Forest Cake
Sport: Soccer

The German high school system comprises four types of schools:

• The Gymnasium enrols the most gifted children and prepares students for university studies, and attendance lasts eight or nine years depending on the province
• The Realschule has a wider range of curriculum choices leading either to work or to higher education and lasts six years
• The Hauptschule prepares pupils for vocational education
• The Gesamtschule or comprehensive school combines the three approaches.

School usually runs from 8:30 to 13:30