School status

In Switzerland, most schools are managed by public authorities. Across all levels of education, 86% of schools are public. Furthermore, around a third of private schools are subsidised (35%).

In compulsory education, three-quarters of public schools and almost all private schools have fewer than 100 pupils. At upper secondary level, private institutions account for 44% of schools but only one-sixth of learners, with the majority of private schools having fewer than 100 pupils. Three-quarters of private schools and about one third of public schools offer several educational levels. 80% of private schools are located in communes with highly dense populations, compared with 57% of public schools.

The responsible authority of educational institutions varies not only with the educational level but also by canton. Across all levels of education, more than the half of the private schools are located in four cantons (ZH, BE, LU and VD).

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