Education & Skills

The Icelandic School System - Overview

Kindergarten from 1 or 2 years old to 6 years old.
Primary school from 6-16 years Compulsory Education.
Secondary school from 16-19 years old (and older). Teenagers aged 16-18 have a right to attend secondary school.
In secondary school, people study for their matriculation examination or vocational studies.
University or specialised schools.
Continued education for adults.

Kindergarden

Kindergarten is the first educational level. Most children in Iceland start attending kindergarten at the age of 1-2 years old, but it's not compulsory.
Kindergartens are either private or run by the municipalities.
It is necessary to apply for a place at a kindergarten and sometimes there's a waiting list.
Children who speak Icelandic as a second language have priority.
Most children attend their local kindergarten.
Kindergarten is not free of charge. Parents share the cost with the municipalities. There is a discount if parents have more than one child at the same kindergarten.
Children get a hot meal at lunchtime. They also get fruit, bread and toppings throughout the day.
Children aged 1-3 nap during the day and get mattresses, pillows and blankets.
The children play outdoors every day. Even if it's raining or snowing. They should own rain gear, rain boots, a snowsuit, snow boots, a hat and mittens.
The children are supervised carefully, both indoors and outdoors.
Being outdoors is fun and refreshing and if the children are properly dressed, they won't get cold.

What Do Children Do at Kindergarten?

Kindergarten - Continued

Parents are invited to parent-teacher meetings with a kindergarten teacher. There they go over the child's development and how the child is faring at the kindergarten.
Children at kindergarten undergo developmental assessments and phonological awareness assessments.
Children with disabilities receive training and support from a developmental therapist or special needs teacher.
Kindergarten work is based on the Icelandic National Curriculum Guide for Kindergartens based on legislation for that educational level. Each kindergarten also publishes a plan of operation. www.stjornarradid.is/verkefni/menntamal/n amskrar/
The work done with children in kindergartens is professional and diverse.
Children of foreign origin receive a foundation and training in Icelandic that is necessary for a good start to their schooling.
Children practice a lot of things at kindergarten:
- There is systematic work done with language skill stimulation and their language development.
- They practice teamwork and consideration towards each other.
- They become more independent.
- They are better prepared to begin their schooling.

Primary School - General information

There is 10-year compulsory schooling in Iceland.
Children start school the year they turn 6 years old. They start in first grade.
Children finish compulsory schooling the year they turn 16 years old, when they're in tenth grade.
School from 1st-10th grade is called primary school.
All children have a right to attend school and parents have an obligation, according to law, to have their children attend school.
Parents have to apply for holidays for their children and report illness.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture publishes the Icelandic National Curriculum Guide for Compulsory Schools on the basis of legislation for that educational level. www.stjornarradid.is/verkefni/menntamal/namskrar/

Primary school

All children have the right to individualised education and special needs education if they need it.
Children participate in all subjects, for example both girls and boys participate in wood shop, home economics, swimming and physical education.
Physical education is taught every year of primary school. Children take a swim test in 9th grade.
Parents are not allowed to keep their children at home even if they (the parents) object to some of the subjects.
All children automatically move up a grade after the summer holidays in the fall. In that context, academic performance is not important.

Subjects

In a democratic society, the residents of the country must have both general knowledge and be able to think independently.
Schools are responsible for providing children with general education and train independent work methods and critical thinking.
Individuals are assessed on their need for specialised classes in Icelandic as a second language or support in their general studies, and adapted study plans are made for academic subjects if necessary.
Assistance with homework can also be applied for at the school.
There are multiple subjects taught at schools, for example:
- Icelandic, reading, writing, foreign languages, math, natural sciences, social studies, sex education, life skills, computer science, physical education, crafts, art, wood shop, home economics, music and swimming.

Study Assessment

Assessment of academic achievement is entered into the Mentor system www.infomentor.is - Assessment scale:
- Outstanding
- Proficient
- On the right track
- Needs practice
- Not proficient
Parents are encouraged to get detailed explanations of the criteria for assessment for different subjects from teachers.
Progress is assessed on an individual basis and it's good to keep that in mind for parent-teacher meetings.
Occasionally, teenagers must take preparatory classes in some subjects when they start secondary school, even if they have completed primary school in Iceland.