Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{about|the type of school|the indoor sports facility|Gym}}
[[File:Melk Stift Altstadt.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Stiftsgymnasium Melk]], oldest Austrian school]]
A '''gymnasium''' (pronounced with a {{IPAblink|ɡ}} in several languages) is a type of school providing advanced [[secondary education]] in some parts of [[Europe]] and the [[CIS]], comparable to English [[Grammar schools in the United Kingdom|grammar school]]s or [[sixth form college]]s and U.S. [[University-preparatory school|college preparatory high schools]]. Historically the German Gymnasium also included in its overall accelerated curriculum post secondary education at college level and the degree awarded substituted for the bachelor's degree (Baccalaureat)<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakkalaureat section 'Geschichte' ('History') accessed 3/14/2012</ref> previously awarded by a college or university so that universites in Germany exclusively became graduate schools. In the US the German Gymnasium curriculum was used at some rather reputable universities like the University of Michigan as model for their undergraduate college programs.<ref>John Seiler Brubacher, Willis Rudy, "Higher education in transition: a history of American colleges and universities", 4th Edition, 1997 New Brunswick, NJ, page 157/158; see [http://books.google.com/books?id=0O1yXnXkWIsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false%20 Google Books]</ref> The word ''γυμνάσιον'' (gymnasion) was used in [[Ancient Greece]], meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual [[education]] of young men (see [[gymnasium (ancient Greece)]]). The latter meaning of a place of intellectual education persisted in [[German language|German]] and other languages, whereas in [[English language|English]] the meaning of a place for physical education was retained, more familiarly in the shortened form [[gym]]. The gymnasium prepares pupils to enter a [[university]] for advanced academic study.
In the [[Education in Poland|Polish educational system]] the ''gimnazjum'' is a [[middle school]] (junior high school) for pupils aged 13 to 16. The same applies in the [[Education in Greece|Greek educational system]], with the additional option of ''Εσπερινό Γυμνάσιο'' (evening gymnasium) for adults and working students aged 14 upwards.
==School structure==
The gymnasium is a secondary school which prepares the student for [[higher education]] at a [[university]]. They are thus meant for the more academically minded students, who are sifted out at about the age of 10–13. In addition to the usual curriculum, students of a gymnasium often study [[Latin]] and [[Ancient Greek]].
Some gymnasiums provide general education, others have a specific focus. (This also differs from country to country.) The four traditional branches are:
*[[humanities]] education (specialising in classical languages, such as [[Latin]] and [[Ancient Greek|Greek]])
*modern languages (students are required to study at least three languages)
*mathematical-scientific education
*economical and social-scientific education (students are required to study [[economics]], [[social studies]] and [[business informatics]])
Today, a number of other areas of specialization exist, such as gymnasiums specializing in economics, technology or domestic sciences.
In some countries, there is a notion of '''progymnasium''', which is equivalent to beginning classes of the full gymnasium, with the rights to continue education in a gymnasium. Here, the prefix "pro" indicates that this curriculum precedes normal gymnasium studies.
==History==
In the [[German-speaking Europe|German-speaking]], the Central-European, the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]], the [[Benelux]] ([[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]]) and the [[Baltic countries]], this meaning for "gymnasium", that is a secondary school preparing the student for [[higher education]] at a [[university]], has been the same at least since the [[Protestant reformation]] in the 16th century. The term was derived from the [[classical Greek]] word “[[Gymnasium (ancient Greece)|gymnasium]],” which was originally applied to an exercising ground in ancient [[Athens]]. Here teachers gathered and gave instruction between the hours devoted to physical exercises and sports, and thus the term became associated with and came to mean an institution of learning.<ref name="americana">{{Cite Americana|Gymnasia and Real-gymnasia|year=1920}}</ref>
This use of the term did not prevail among the [[ancient Romans|Romans]], but was revived during the [[Italian renaissance|Renaissance in Italy]], and from there passed into the Netherlands and Germany during the 15th century. In 1538, [[Johannes Sturm]] founded at [[Strassburg]] the school which became the model of the modern German gymnasium. In 1812, a [[Prussia]]n regulation ordered that all schools which had the right to send their students to the university should bear the name of gymnasia. By the 20th century, this practice was followed in almost all German states, in [[Austria]] and in [[Russia]].<ref name="americana"/>
==By country==
===Austria===
In [[Austria]] the Gymnasium has two stages, from the age of 11 to 14, and from 15 to 18, concluding with [[Matura]]. Historically, three types existed. The ''Humanistisches Gymnasium'' focuses on [[Ancient Greek]] and [[Latin]]. The ''Neusprachliches Gymnasium'' puts its focus on actively spoken languages. The usual combination is [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]] and Latin; sometimes French can be swapped with another foreign language (like [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]] or [[Russian language|Russian]]). The ''Realgymnasium'' puts its focus on science. In the last couple of decades more autonomy was granted to schools and various types were developed, focusing on sports, music or economics, for example.
===North European countries===
In [[Denmark]], [[Estonia]], the [[Faroe Islands]], [[Finland]], [[Latvia]], [[Norway]] and [[Sweden]] gymnasium consists of three years, usually starting at age 16 after nine or ten years of primary school. In [[Iceland]] and [[Lithuania]] the gymnasium usually consists of four years of schooling starting at the age of 16, the last year roughly corresponding to the first year of [[college]].
In all of Scandinavia and the Nordic countries, education is meant to be free. This includes not only primary school, but most gymnasiums and universities as well. Furthermore, to help decrease the heritage of historic [[social injustice]], all countries except [[Iceland]] have generous [[Grant (money)|universal grants]] for students. However, entrance is competitive and based on merit.
In Denmark, there are four kinds of gymnasiums: [[Gymnasium (Denmark)|stx]] (Regular Examination Programme), [[hhx]] (Higher Business Examination Programme), [[htx]] (Higher Technical Examination Programme) and [[Higher Preparatory Examination (HF)|hf]] (Higher Preparatory Examination Programme). To attend hf, it is a prerequisite that students add a voluntary tenth year to their primary school education. Hf then lasts only two years, instead of the three required for stx, hhx, and htx. All four type of gymnasiums theoretically gives the same eligibility for university. However because of different subjects offered, students may be better qualified in an area of further study.
ex. HHX students have subjects that make them practically more eligible, for studies such as business studies or economy at university.
In the Faroe Islands, there are also four kinds of gymnasiums, which are equivalents to the Danish educations: ''Studentaskúli'' (equivalent to stx), ''Handilsskúli'' (hhx), ''Tekniski skúli'' (htx) and ''HF'' (hf). Studentaskúli and HF are usually located at the same institutions as can be seen in the name of the institute in [[Eysturoy]]: [[Studentaskúlin og HF-skeiðið í Eysturoy]].
In Finland, the admissions to gymnasiums are competitive, the accepted people comprising 51% of the age group.<ref>http://www.minedu.fi/export/sites/default/OPM/Koulutus/ammatillinen_koulutus/hallinto_ohjaus_ja_rahoitus/liitteet/PM__1250_opiskelijapaikan_lisxminen_01012010.pdf</ref> The gymnasiums concludes with the matriculation exam ([[Abitur]]), an exam whose grades are the main criteria for college admissions.
===Former Yugoslavia===
[[File:Nadbiskupska klasična gimnazija Zagreb.jpg|thumb|[[Archdiocesan Classical Gymnasium]] in [[Zagreb]], [[Croatia]]]]
[[File:Srpska gimnazija.jpg|thumb|New campus of [[Serbian Orthodox Secondary School "Kantakuzina Katarina Branković"]] in [[Zagreb]], [[Croatia]]]]
In [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Croatia]], [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Montenegro]], [[Serbia]], and [[Slovenia]], a gymnasium education takes four years following a compulsory eight or nine-year elementary education and ending with a final aptitude test called ''Matura''. In Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Macedonia, the final test is standardized at the state level and serves as an entrance qualification for universities.
There are both public (state-run and tuition-free) and private (fee-paying) gymnasium schools in these countries.
The subjects taught are mathematics, the native language, one to three foreign languages, history, geography, informatics, the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), history of art, music, philosophy, logic, physical education and the social sciences (sociology, ethics, psychology, politics and economy). Religious studies are optional. In [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia Latin is also an obligatory subject in all gymnasiums, just as Ancient Greek is in a certain type of gymnasiums called Classical Gymnasiums (''klasična gimnazija'').
In all these countries, the gymnasium (''Gimnazija'') is generally viewed as a destination for best performing students and as the type of school that serves primarily to prepare students for university, while other students go to technical/vocational schools. Therefore, gymnasiums often base their admittance criteria on an entrance exam, elementary school grades or some combination of the two.
===Germany===
[[Image:Maulbronn Hof und Kirche.jpg|thumb|right|[[Evangelical Seminaries of Maulbronn and Blaubeuren]] – picture showing church and courtyard]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F079063-0034, Bonn, Gymnasium, Chemieunterricht.jpg|thumb|Chemistry lesson, Bonn, 1988]]
[[Gymnasium (Germany)|German Gymnasium]]s are selective schools. They offer the most academically promising youngsters a quality education{{citation needed|date=February 2012}} that is in most cases free (and in other cases at low cost). Gymnasiums may expel students who academically underperform their classmates or behave in a way that is seen as unacceptable.
Pupils study subjects like [[German language|German]], [[mathematics]], [[Informatics (academic field)|computer science]], [[physics]], [[chemistry]], [[geography]], [[biology]], [[arts]], [[music]], [[physical education]], [[religious education|religion]], [[history]], [[philosophy]], [[civics]]/citizenship,<ref>This subject has different names in the different States of Germany; see [[:de:Gemeinschaftskunde]]</ref> and [[social science]]s. They are also required to study at least two foreign languages. The usual combinations are [[English language|English]] and [[French language|French]] or [[English language|English]] and [[Latin]], although many schools make it possible to combine English or, in some cases, French, with another language, most often [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Ancient Greek]], or [[Russian Language|Russian]]. Religious education classes or "ethics" classes are compulsory. Generally the student is, however, allowed to choose which of these classes to take.<ref>[http://www.bvsg-nu.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91:neu-am-gymnasium&catid=11:eltern&Itemid=36 Die ersten Schritte am Gymnasium]</ref> The only exception to this is the [[States of Germany|state]] of [[Berlin]] in which only the subject ''ethics'' is mandatory for all students and classes in (Christian) religious studies can only be chosen additionally. A similar situation is to be found in [[Brandenburg]] where the subject ''life skills, ethics, and religious education'' (''Lebensgestaltung, Ethik, Religionskunde – LER'') is the primary subject but parents or students older than 13 can choose to replace it with (Christian) religious studies or even to take both. The intention behind LER is that students should get an objective insight on questions of personal development and ethics as well as on the major world religions.<ref>[http://www.mbjs.brandenburg.de/sixcms/detail.php/120349 Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Federal State of Brandenburg – Lebensgestaltung-Ethik-Religionskunde (L-E-R)]</ref>
For younger students nearly the entire curriculum of a Gymnasium is compulsory; in higher grades more elective subjects are available, but the choice is not as wide as in, for example, a US high school.
Although some specialist Gymnasiums have English or French as the language of instruction, at most Gymnasium lessons (apart from foreign language courses) are conducted in [[Standard German]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
The number of years of instruction at a Gymnasium differs between the states. It varies between six to seven years in [[Berlin]] and [[Brandenburg]] (primary school includes six years in both as opposed to four years in the rest of Germany) and eight in [[Bavaria]], [[Hessen]] and [[Baden-Württemberg]] among others. While in [[Saxony]] and [[Thuringia]] students have never been taught more than eight years in Gymnasium (by default), nearly all states are now providing the [[Abitur]] examinations, which complete the Gymnasium education, after 12 years in primary school and Gymnasium. In addition to that some states still or again offer a one year longer Abitur. These final examinations are centrally drafted and controlled (''Zentralabitur'') in all German states except for [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] and provide a qualification to attend any university.
The vast majority of Gymnasiums are public (i.e., state-funded) and do not charge tuition fees. Article 7, Paragraph 4 of the German Constitution forbids segregation of students according to the means of their parents (the so-called ''Sonderungsverbot''). Therefore,{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} most private Gymnasiums only have low tuition fees and/or offer scholarships.
===Italy===
In [[Italy]] originally the Ginnasio indicated a typology of five-year [[junior high school]] (age 11 to 16) and preparing to the three year [[Liceo Classico]] (age 16 to 19), a high school focusing on [[classical studies]] and [[humanities]]. After the school reform that unified the junior high school system, the term Ginnasio stayed to indicate the first two year of Liceo Classico, now five years long. Oddly enough, an Italian high school student who enrolls in Liceo Classico follows this study path: Quarta Ginnasio (gymnasium fourth year, age 14), Quinta Ginnasio (gymnasium fifth year, age 15), Prima Liceo (Liceo first year, age 16), Seconda Liceo (Liceo second year, age 17) and Terza Liceo (Liceo third year, age 18). Some believe this still has some sense, since the two-year Ginnasio has a very different set of mind from the Liceo. Ginnasio students spend almost all their time studying Greek and Latin grammar, laying the bases for the "higher" and more complicated set of studies of the Liceo, such as Greek and Latin literature, Philosophy and Art History.
===Netherlands===
In the [[Netherlands]], gymnasium is the highest variant of secondary education, offering the academically most promising youngsters a quality education that is in most cases free (and in other cases at low cost). Gymnasiums may expel students who academically underperform their classmates or behave in a way that is seen as unacceptable. It consists of six years, after 8 years (including [[kindergarten]]) of primary school, in which pupils study the same subjects as their German counterparts, with the addition of compulsory [[Ancient Greek]], [[Latin]] and ''Klassieke Culturele Vorming'', Classical Cultural Education, history of the Ancient Greek and Roman culture and literature. The equivalent without classical languages is called ''[[Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs|Atheneum]]'', and gives access to the same university studies (although some extra classes are needed when starting a degree in classical languages or [[theology]]). All are government-funded. See [[Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs|vwo]] for the full article on Dutch "preparatory scientific education".
===Czech Republic===
In the [[Czech Republic]], gymnázium (also spelled gymnasium) is one type of schools that provide secondary education. There are three types of gymnázium distinguished by the length of study: eight-year, six-year and four-year types. It leads to the ''[[maturita]]'' exam.
==Countries with gymnasium schools==
{{Expand list|date=August 2008}}
*[[Albania]] [[Gjimnaz]] 3 Years, after 9 years of primary (4) and "medium" (5) education, ends with [[Matura Shtetërore]] at the age of 18.
*[[Argentina]]: [[Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires]], 6 years; [[Rafael Hernández National College]] of [[La Plata]], 5 years (formerly 6 years), after 7 years of primary school; and Gymnasium Universidad Nacional de Tucumán 61 years.
*[[Austria]] 8 years, after 4 years of primary school, or 4 years, after primary school and 4 years of [[Hauptschule]], ends with [[Matura]] at the age of 18.
*[[Belarus]]
*[[Brazil]] [[Humboldt Schule of São Paulo]] is a German School in São Paulo. There are more Gymnasiums in the country and some of them receive recurses from German Government.
*[[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] (4 years, starting at age 14/15 after 9 years in [[elementary school]], ends with Matura)
*[[Bulgaria]] 5 years, after 7 years of primary school. Currently graduation after passing at least two Matriculation Examinations.
*[[Canada]] Generally called a private school.
*[[Colombia]] [[Gimnasio Campestre]] (all-male, traditional and conservative Pre-K to 11th grade private school located in Bogotá, Colombia).
*[[Croatia]] (4 years, starting at age 14/15 after 8 years in elementary school, five different educational tracks: ''opća gimnazija'' (general education), ''klasična gimnazija'' (focused on Latin and Ancient Greek), ''jezična gimnazija'' (focused on modern languages), ''prirodoslovna gimnazija'' (biology, chemistry, physics) and ''prirodoslovno-matematička gimnazija'' (mathematics, physics and computer science), ends with Matura). Students of all tracks have compulsory classes in Latin and English as well as in at least one additional foreign language (most commonly German, Italian, Spanish and French).
*[[Cyprus]] 3 years, starting at age 12 and following 6 years of Elementary School. Compulsory for all students. Followed by the non-mandatory [[Lyceum]] (ages 15–18) for students with academic aspirations or [[Vocational education|TEL]] for students who prefer vocational training.
*[[Czech Republic]] (4 years starting at age 15/16; 6 years starting at age 13/14(not usual); 8 years starting at age 11/12; all of them end with a [[Matura|Maturita]])
*[[Denmark]] 3 years (4 years for athletes who are part of the ''[[Team Danmark]]'' elite sports program, or musicians who have chosen ''MGK'' ("Musical Elementary Course")), usually starting after 10 or 11 years of [[Danish Folkeskole Education|primary school]]). This is more like a prep school or the first years of college than high school. Everyone is eligible to go to a US high school, but you have to be deemed competent to get into a gymnasium. (For more information, see ''[[Gymnasium (Denmark)]]''.) Gymnasium is also available in an intensive 2 year program leading to the [[Higher Preparatory Examination (HF)|''Højere Forberedelseseksamen'' ("Higher Preparatory Exam")]].
*[[Estonia]] (3 years, after 9 years of primary school)
*[[Faroe Islands]] 3 years, usually starting after 9 or 10 years of [[Faroese Fólkaskúli Education|primary school]]. The system is similar to the Danish system. A gymnasium level education is also available in an intensive 2 year programme leading to [[Higher Preparatory Examination (HF)|''Hægri fyrireikingarpróvtøka'' ("Higher Preparatory Exam")]].
*[[Finland]]: ''lukio'' (educational language is Finnish) or ''gymnasium'' (educational language is Swedish) takes 2–5 years (most students spend 3 years),<ref name=finminedu>{{cite web|url=http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Koulutus/yleissivistaevae_koulutus/lukiokoulutus/?lang=en |title=General upper secondary education |date= |accessdate=2011-10-31}}</ref> after 9 years of primary school (''peruskoulu'' in Finnish, ''grundskola'' in Swedish); ''lukio'' starts usually in the autumn of the year when the student turns 16 and ends with [[abitur]] after passing the matriculation examination; ''lukio'' is not compulsory and its entrance is competitive.
*France
*Germany (formerly 8–9 years depending on the [[States of Germany|Bundesland]] – now being changed to 8 years nationwide, starting at 5th (at age 11), [[Abitur]] in 12th or 13th grade); for more information, see [[Gymnasium (Germany)]].
*[[Education in Greece|Greece]] 3 years, starting at age 12 after 6 years of Elementary School. Compulsory for all children, it is followed by the non-mandatory [[Lyceum]] (ages 15–18) for students with academic aspirations, or the Technical Vocational Educational School (TEL) for students who prefer [[Vocational education|vocational]] training.
*[[Hungary]] (4/6/8 years, starting after 8/6/4 years of primary school, ends with Matura), see [[Education in Hungary]]
*[[Iceland]] (usually 4 years, starting at age 15/16 after 10 years of elementary school, though 3 years can also be chosen. If chosen, students at [[Menntaskólinn Hraðbraut]] finish the school in 2 years.)
*[[Israel]], five schools termed "gymnasium" located in [[Tel Aviv]], [[Rishon LeZion]], [[Jerusalem]] and [[Haifa]].
*[[Italy]], ''ginnasio'' is the name of the two first years of [[Liceo Classico]]
*[[Kosovo]] (3 years, after 9 years of primary school)
*[[Kyrgyzstan]] (7 years, after 5 years of primary school)
*[[Latvia]] (3 years, after 9 years of primary school)
*[[Liechtenstein]] (ends with Matura)
*[[Lithuania]] (4 years, after 4 years of primary school and 4 years of secondary school)
*[[Luxembourg]] (usually 7 years, starting at age 12-13 after 6 years of primary school)
*[[Republic of Macedonia]] (4 years, starting at age 14 after 8 years in elementary school, ends with Matura)
*[[Montenegro]] (4 years, starting at age 14/15 after 8 years in elementary school, 3 years for those who went in the elementary for 9 years, ends with Matura)
*[[Education in the Netherlands|Netherlands]] (6 years, starting at age 11-13, after 8 years of primary school. Prepares for admission to University. Gymnasia in the Netherlands have compulsory classes in Ancient Greek and Latin; the same high level secondary school without the classical languages is called "VWO" (Atheneum))
*[[Norway]] – the traditional but now discontinued gymnasium led to the completion of [[examen artium]]. This has now been succeeded by a 2, 3, or 4 year program ("videregående skole"), depending on course path taken, starting at the age of 15/16, culminating with an exam that qualifies for university matriculation ("studiekompetanse")
*[[Poland]] – ''gimnazjum'' is the name of Polish compulsory [[middle school]] lasting 3 years, starting at the age of 12/13, and following 6 years of [[primary school]]. ''Gimnazjum'' ends with a [[standardized test]]. Further education is encouraged, but optional and consists of either 3 years ''[[liceum ogólnokształcące|liceum]]'', 4 years ''[[technikum (Poland)|technikum]]'', or 2 to 3 years vocational school (which may be followed by a supplementary ''liceum'' or ''technikum'').
*[[Romania]] – 4 years, starting at age 10 ends with Diploma de Capacitate at the age of 14. Primary education lasts for four years. Secondary education consists in: 1) lower secondary school education organized in Gymnasium for grades 5 to 8 and lower cycle of Highschool or Arts and trades schools (vocational) for grades 9 and 10. 2) upper secondary school education organized in Ciclul superior al liceului for grades 11, 12 and 13 followed, if necessary, by an additional high school year for those who want to move from vocational training (grade 10) to upper secondary school education. High school education (lower cycle of high school and upper secondary school education) offers three different orientations (academic, technological, specialization).
*[[Russia]]
**[[Imperial Russia]]: since 1726, 8 years since 1871. Women gymnasiums since 1862; 7 years + optional 8th for specialisation in [[pedagogy]]. Progymnasiums: equivalent to 4 first years of gymnasium.
**[[Russian Federation]]: 6 or 7 years, after primary school. Nowadays Russian Gymnasiums specialize in a certain subject (or several subjects), especially in the humanities ([http://chelschool1.ru example])
*[[Serbia]] (4 years, starting at age 14/15 after 8 years in elementary/primary school. There are 3 types of gymnasiums: most commonly 1)general gymnasium (општа гимназија) which offers broad education in either 2) natural (природно-математички смер) or 3) social studies (друштвени смер), available all over Serbia, and a few specialised ones, i.e. science and mathematics (природно-математичка гимназија) -- only one in all of Serbia, in Belgrade; sports (спортска гиманзија) -- just two in Serbia; and language gymnasiums (филолошка гимназија) -- a total of four in Serbia. In the end, everyone has a final exam – Matura. A technical high school (including business/admin. assistant, i.e. економска школа), or a musical high school is a prerequisite for enrollment into a university. English and another foreign language (in addition to the mother tongue, and in case of minorities also Serbian, of course) are compulsory throughout.
*[[Slovakia]] (4 years starting at age 15 after completing 9 years of elementary school (more common); 8 years starting at age 11 after completing 5 years of elementary school; both end with [[Matura|Maturita]])
*[[Slovenia]] (4 years, starting at age 14/15, ends with Matura).
*[[South Africa]] ([[Paul Roos Gymnasium]] is a well known Gymnasium for boys in the town called Stellenbosch. The school is a boarding school, based on the classic British boarding schools, however it was more influenced by the Protestant faith, hence the German Gymnasium. Foreign languages such as French,German,Mandarin and Latin are studied, [[Afrikaans]] and English are compulsory. School in South Africa: 5 years, starting at age 13/14, at a secondary institution, after 7 years of primary school, ends with Matric).
*[[Sweden]] Upper secondary school in Sweden lasts for three years (formerly four years on some programmes). "Gymnasium" is the word used to describe this stage of the education system in Sweden. The [[National Agency for Education (Sweden)|National Agency of Education]] has decided that ''gymnasium'' is equilant to the international upper seconary school.<ref>http://www.skolverket.se/2.3894/publicerat/2.5006?_xurl_=http%3A%2F%2Fwww4.skolverket.se%3A8080%2Fwtpub%2Fws%2Fskolbok%2Fwpubext%2Ftrycksak%2FRecord%3Fk%3D2801</ref> The gymnasium is optional and follows after nine years in elementary school.
However, the Swedish term "högskola" (translated to "high school") may cause some confusion. It is in Swedish used almost synonymously to "university", with the only difference being that universities have the right to issue doctoral examinations. A högskola is often located in cities with lower population.
*[[Switzerland]] (usually 3–4 years after 9 years of compulsory schooling (primary and secondary I); in some cantons it is also possible to attend a so-called "Langzeitgymnasium" which lasts 6 years, following a six-year primary schooling; the Gymnasium ends with Matura at the age of 18/19).
*[[Ukraine]] (8 years, starting after 4 years of [[primary school]]).
*[[United Kingdom]]: historically, [[Grammar schools in the United Kingdom|grammar schools]] have been the English equivalent of the gymnasium, selecting pupils on the basis of academic ability and educating them with the assumption that they would go on to study at a [[university]]; such schools were largely phased out under the [[Harold Wilson|Wilson]] and [[Edward Heath|Heath]] governments, with less than 5% of pupils now attending grammar schools, and the UK now has no widespread equivalent of the gymnasium. The exception is [[Northern Ireland]] and parts of England including the counties of [[Buckinghamshire]], [[Lincolnshire]] and [[Kent]] which retained the system. Many private, fee-paying [[independent school (United Kingdom)|independent school]]s, including all those commonly referred to as "public" schools, seek to fulfil a similar role to the state grammar school if the scholar has the ability (and thus to the gymnasium in other countries).
*United States
**[[Public school (government funded)|Public school]]: As school districts continue to experiment with educational styles, the [[magnet school]] has become a popular type of [[high school]]. [[Boston Latin School]] and [[Central High School (Philadelphia)]] are both the oldest public schools in the country, and the oldest magnet schools. As the concept has not become entrenched in the various American educational systems, due partly to the [[Federation|federal]], rather than unitary style of education in the US, the term may vary among states.
**[[Private school]]: The equivalent among private schools is the [[University-preparatory school|preparatory school]].
==Final degree==<!-- This section is linked from [[Paul Ehrenfest]] -->
Depending on country, the final degree (if any) is called [[Abitur]], [[Artium]], [[Diploma]], [[Matura]], [[Maturita]] or [[Student (degree)|Student]] and it usually opens the way to professional schools directly.
However, depending on which country the issuing school is located in, these degrees are occasionally not fully accredited internationally, and students willing to attend foreign [[university]] often have to submit to further exams to be permitted access to them. The final two or three years at a gymnasium can be seen as an equivalent to the first two years at college in the United States.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}
==Relationship with other education facilities==
In countries like Canada or Austria, most university faculties only accept students from secondary schools that last four years (rather than three). This includes all Gymnasium students but only a part of vocational high schools, in effect making Gymnasium the preferred choice for all pupils aiming for university diplomas.
In Germany, other types of secondary school are called ''[[Realschule]], [[Hauptschule]]'' and ''[[Gesamtschule]]''. These are attended by about two-thirds of the students and the first two are practically unknown in other parts of the world.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} A Gesamtschule largely corresponds to a British or American high school. However, it offers the same school leaving certificates as the other three types of German secondary schools—the ''Hauptschulabschluss'' (school leaving certificate of a Hauptschule after 9th Grade or in [[Berlin]] and [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] after 10th Grade), the ''Realschulabschluss'', also called'' Mittlere Reife'' (school leaving certificate of a Realschule after 10th Grade), and ''[[Abitur]],'' also called ''Hochschulreife'', after 12th Grade. Students who graduate from Hauptschule or Realschule may continue their schooling at a [[vocational school]] until they have full job qualifications. It is also possible to get an ''erweiterter Realschulabschluss'' after 10th grade that allows the students to continue their education at the ''Oberstufe'' of a gymnasium and get an Abitur. There are two types of vocational school in Germany. The ''[[Berufsschule]]'', a part-time vocational school and a part of Germany's [[dual education system]], and the ''[[Berufsfachschule]]'', a full-time vocational school outside the dual education system. Both types of school are also part of Germany's secondary school system. Students who graduate from a vocational school and students who graduate with a good [[Grade (education)|grade point average]] from a Realschule can continue their schooling at another type of German secondary school, the ''[[Fachoberschule]]'', a vocational high school. The school leaving exam of this type of school, the ''Fachhochschulreife'', enables the graduate to start studying at a [[Fachhochschule]] ([[institute of technology#German language areas – Technische Universitäten and Fachhochschulen|polytechnic]]), and in [[Hesse]] also at a university within the state. Students who have graduated from vocational school and have been working in a job for at least three years can go to [[Berufsoberschule]] to get either a "Fachabitur" (meaning they may go to university, but they can only study the subjects belonging to the "branch" (economical, technical, social) they studied in at Berufschule.) after one year, or the normal "Abitur" (after two years), which gives them complete access to universities.
==See also==
{{Portal|Schools|Europe}}
{{NIE Poster|year=1905|Gymnasia|Gymnasia and Realgymnasia}}
* [[Gymnasium (ancient Greece)]]
* [[Lyceum]]
* [[Lyceum (Classical)]]
* [[Realschule]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Schools}}
[[Category:School types]]
[[Category:Gymnasiums (school)| ]]
[[Category:Secondary education]]
[[az:Gimnaziya]]
[[bg:Гимназия]]
[[bs:Gimnazija]]
[[ca:Institut (Catalunya)]]
[[cs:Gymnázium]]
[[da:Gymnasium]]
[[de:Gymnasium]]
[[et:Gümnaasium]]
[[el:Γυμνάσιο]]
[[es:Gymnasium]]
[[eo:Gimnazio]]
[[fr:Gymnasium]]
[[ko:김나지움]]
[[hr:Gimnazija]]
[[io:Gimnazio]]
[[is:Fjölbrautaskóli]]
[[he:גימנסיה]]
[[kk:Гимназия]]
[[la:Gymnasium]]
[[lt:Gimnazija]]
[[hu:Gimnázium]]
[[ml:ജിംനേഷ്യം (വിദ്യാലയം)]]
[[nl:Gymnasium]]
[[ja:ギムナジウム]]
[[no:Gymnasium]]
[[nn:Gymnas]]
[[uz:Gimnaziya]]
[[pl:Gimnazjum]]
[[pt:Ginásio (escola)]]
[[ro:Gimnaziu]]
[[ru:Гимназия]]
[[sk:Gymnázium]]
[[sl:Gimnazija]]
[[sr:Гимназија]]
[[sh:Gimnazija]]
[[fi:Lukio]]
[[sv:Gymnasium]]
[[tr:Gymnasium (okul)]]
[[uk:Гімназія]]
[[zh:文科中学]]' |
