grundskola

The grundskola is Sweden's compulsory nine-year comprehensive school, serving children from ages 7 to 16. This system replaced earlier forms of schooling by the early 1970s and is free of charge, including meals, transportation, and materials. The grundskola is divided into three stages: lower, middle, and upper. English instruction typically begins by grade 5, with some schools starting as early as grade 1. After completing the grundskola, most students continue to upper secondary school (gymnasieskola), which offers both university-oriented and vocational programs. Marks are introduced in the eighth year of grundskola.12