Luxembourg high schools and secondary education

Enseignement secondaire classique ou general Luxembourg|Lycée de Garçons Luxembourg - LGL|Lycée Arts et Métiers Luxembourg

At the age of 12, after elementary school, pupils in the Luxembourg system go on to secondary school.

Here you'll find details of the different secondary school systems in Luxembourg, and how to enroll in state schools. 

Want to find out more about school in Luxembourg and the courses available?

Secondary education in Luxembourg high schools

At the end of the last year of basic education, pupils enter secondary school.

Luxembourg's secondary education system offers several types of 6- or 7-year education: classical, international, British, European or general (formerly called technical).

The choice of one or other secondary stream is a joint decision between parents and teachers, based on the student's results and abilities. See the guidance process at the end of basic education.

In Luxembourg, 37 public lycées and 5 private lycées offer the Luxembourg secondary school curriculum.

Education in state schools is free.

Classical secondary education ESC

General principles of classical secondary education in Luxembourg

Secondary education in Luxembourg's Lycée Classique lasts 7 years, from 7th ESC to 1st ESC. This orientation is offered to students with a good knowledge of mathematics, French and German.

Classical secondary education leads to a diploma at the end of classical secondary education. This gives access to higher education at a university in Luxembourg or abroad.

Grammar schools offer the classic common education in German or French, depending on the subject. Students are taught literature, mathematics, natural sciences and humanities.

First years of classical high school

Classical high schools offer special features in the lower division (classes from 7th ESC to 5th ESC):

  • "German as a foreign language" or ALLET classes for French-speaking students with difficulties in German,
  • "Français Plus" for non-French-speaking students,
  • classes with French as the vehicular language.

From the first year of lycée (class 7), students can choose language options in Chinese (Lycée Athénée), English or Latin. English is compulsory from 5th grade.

Final years of teaching in classical high schools

The specialization cycles offered in the upper division (3rd, 2nd and 1st grades) vary from school to school. These include modern languages, mathematics and computing, natural sciences and mathematics, economics and mathematics, plastic arts, musical sciences, humanities and social sciences.

The secondary school leaving examination in the classical stream covers 6 subjects, with 6 written tests and 2 oral tests. Students choose their exam subjects from among languages and mathematics, general education and specializations studied. 

Public international secondary education

Some Luxembourg high schools also offer the possibility of preparing for the International Baccalaureate. The last two years (2nd and 1st) are devoted to studying the International Baccalaureate program.

This course is reserved for students who are able to follow a traditional secondary education. It is particularly aimed at foreign students who have recently arrived in Luxembourg, or who wish to continue their studies abroad.

The International Baccalaureate marks the end of the secondary school curriculum with a diploma recognized in over 140 countries around the world, including Luxembourg.

This course is offered at the Lycée technique du Centre for the French International Baccalaureate, and at the Athénée and Lycée de Garçons d'Esch-sur-Alzette for the English International Baccalaureate.

If you'd like your child to continue his or her education in your home country, he or she can attend one of Luxembourg's international, European, French or English schools.

British public secondary education

At Luxembourg high schools offering this option, students follow a course of study leading to A-Levels recognized in over 125 countries worldwide. Courses are offered in English. French and German are chosen as 2nd and/or 3rd languages.

The Lycée Michel Lucius, International School Michel Lucius, prepares students for internationally recognized British secondary qualifications, such as the IGSCE - International General Certificate of Secondary Education, Advanced Subsidiary Levels (AS-levels) and Advanced Levels (A-levels).

These courses, recognized by Cambridge University PA, are aimed at English-speaking students who are interested in pursuing an international higher education course.

European public secondary education

Based on the same model as European schools, some Luxembourg establishments offer European secondary education, culminating in an internationally-recognized European baccalaureate .

These public schools are open to all students and offer free tuition. They include the following high schools:

  • École internationale de Differdange et d'Esch-sur-Alzette (EIDE) ;
  • International school in Junglinster, Lënster Lycée International School (LLIS)
  • Edward Steichen International School in Clervaux (LESC)
  • Mondorf-les-Bains International School (EIMLB)
  • Anne Beffort International School in Mersch (EIMAB).

European education is offered over 7 years, in French, German and English sections. 

See what we offer in private international education.

General secondary education ESG (formerly technical)

General secondary education is offered as an alternative to the traditional public school system in Luxembourg. Several routes are available:

  • general high school diploma leading to higher education and university studies
  • more professional orientation, according to the student's wishes and profile. Various diplomas can be obtained at the end of the course:
    • technician's diploma for access to Advanced Technical Studies (Brevets de Techniciens Supérieurs)
    • diplôme d'aptitude professionnelle
    • certificate of professional competence via a preparatory route.

Here too, special classes will be offered for newly arrived foreign pupils.

Depending on the orientation chosen, secondary education at vocational schools also lasts 7 years, from "7th ESG" to "1st ESG". Students acquire skills not yet acquired at the end of basic school. They obtain a final diploma and can go on to higher education, higher technical education via preparatory courses, or directly to employment.

The final exam in the general stream covers six subjects chosen by the student according to the priorities of his/her section. 

Secondary school curricula and final exams in the Luxembourg school system

At the end of secondary school, students sit an exam to obtain a school-leaving diploma, the "bac". They can then continue on to higher education.

The final mark at the end of secondary education in Luxembourg is calculated on the basis of 1/3 continuous assessment of results obtained during the year and 2/3 examination marks. The oral test accounts for a quarter of the exam mark.

The final exam takes place in June at the end of the Première year. All students are required to sit. If a student fails the first exam in June, he or she can retake the exam in September, provided he or she has been assiduous throughout the year and has a sufficiently high average.

If you fail the exam, you will have to repeat your Première year.

Enrolment in Luxembourg high schools

The decision to opt for one or other type of education is taken in the final year (cycle 4.2) of basic elementary school.

Enrolment in Luxembourg high schools is subject to the availability of places at the first chosen school. If the child is not accepted into this lycée, he/she will have to apply to another one in the 2nd round, depending on available places.

Can't find your way around the Luxembourg secondary school system? You can ask for help. Find out more here.

Choice of secondary schools

The choice of Luxembourg high schools, whether classical, general, European or international, is vast. There are over forty private and public lycées in the Luxembourg system.

Choices are made without any geographical assignment based on place of residence.

To guide you in your choice according to the options you choose, consult the website Mengschoul.lu. You'll get an overview of the school map and the specific features of each school system and high school.

Want to find out more about Luxembourg's international high schools? Take part in their open days.

Main high schools in Luxembourg

Lycée Athénée in Luxembourg

Founded in 1817, the Lycée Athénée de Luxembourg is a highly reputed public school in Luxembourg. It offers a classical Luxembourg secondary education and, since 2010, the possibility of preparing an International Baccalaureate (IB) for bilingual English students. The Athénée is also an IB World School.

Admission to the international section is based on an excellent knowledge of the English language and on passing entrance tests in languages and mathematics. 

The Lycée Athénée is heavily involved in humanitarian and European projects. The Athénée is one of the European Parliament's Ambassador Schools.

Numerous personalities such as Jean Asselborn, minister, Joseph Barthel, Olympic champion and minister, and Robert Schuman, founding member of the EEC, are former students of the Lycée Athénée.

Students at the Athénée go on to higher education in the fields of law and medicine, ....

Lycée Michel Lucius

The Lycée Michel Lucius in Luxembourg is a general (formerly technical) high school. It now offers the possibility of studying in English. Graduates are awarded an A-level GCE diploma, equivalent to the Certificat de réussite du cycle moyen de l'enseignement Secondaire (3e ES) under certain conditions.

English school curriculum

Since the start of the 2017 school year, Michel Lucius has also been welcoming children in the English fundamental school curriculum. This teaching of Luxembourg curricula is offered as an alternative to theLuxembourg fundamental school for native English-speaking pupils.

As an international school, Michel Lucius offers a curriculum in English from primary to secondary level in all subjects. French and German are taught as foreign languages.
Lëtzebuergesch, as a language of integration, is compulsory. Language teaching is flexible and adapted to the student's level and age.

The diploma awarded at the end of secondary school is a GSCE General Certificate of Secondary Education and an A-level.

Admission is based on an oral and written English language test and a mathematics test. Once admitted to the school, further tests will be requested in relation to the subjects chosen by the student.

Luxembourg general secondary school

For secondary education, the Lycée Michel Lucius offers students technical secondary education classes from grades 7 to 13, either general or oriented towards natural sciences, administrative and commercial or oriented towards health and social professions.

By 2025, the Lycée Michel Lucius will have moved to a new campus to be built on Boulevard Pierre Frieden behind the Auchan shopping center in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

Lycée Technique du Centre

With over 3,600 students and apprentices in more than 250 classes, Luxembourg's public Lycée Technique du Centre is one of the country's largest secondary schools. It offers both Luxembourg and international secondary education.

The LTC offers preparation for the International Baccalaureate and is listed as an IB World School. The international IB diploma is recognized by all the world's leading universities.

In addition to all the secondary technical sections, it is also possible to train as a technician in the fields of chemistry (LTC's flagship), automotive mechanics and administrative and commercial functions.

Insertion classes are also available for pupils who don't master the languages used in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , enabling them to follow the school curriculum appropriate to their age group and quickly learn the local languages (Lëtzebuergesch, German, French). See tutoring for foreign children.

The LTC is also open to adults for initial training and preparation for the "brevet de maitrise".

Today, the LTC operates on 2 campuses: the main campus at Limpertsberg, on the site of a former convent of Dominican nuns, and a branch campus at Kirchberg with 450 students of around 50 different nationalities.

The Lycée Technique du Centre is due to move to a new site in Gasperich, near the new Vauban campus, by 2025.

International School of Differdange and Esch-sur-Alzette EIDE

The Ecole Internationale de Differdange et Esch-sur-Alzette EIDE is a state school in the South Pole of France. It prepares students for the European Baccalaureate in accordance with European education regulations. Open to all, admission to EIDE is by application (no tests). Proximity to home is one of the main admission criteria.

The school offers a 5-year cycle of European primary education, a 7-year cycle of European secondary education, as well as 3 preparatory and reception classes.

The school is characterized by :

  • English-speaking section from primary school to the European Baccalaureate, and from the start of the 2018-2019 school year, additional French- and German-speaking sections,
  • The teaching of Lëtzebuergësch as an integration language is compulsory for all elementary school pupils, as well as for pupils in the lower grades of secondary school. Reception classes for newcomers
  • Exchange with national and European schools.

EIDE is a multilingual school. 

  • At primary school level, there are 2 sections: a French-speaking section and an English-speaking section, where all classes are held in that language, except of course for language courses. Pupils can choose a main language from among French, German, English and Portuguese, and a secondary language from among French, German and English.
  • At secondary school level, students choose a 3rd language from among French, German, English and Portuguese, and a 4th European language of their choice.

Lycée Lenster in Junglinster LLIS

The Lycée Lenster in Junglinster is a state school in Luxembourg. It offers two European sections, German and English, for pupils from primary school (age 6) upwards.

International sections are open to all, as they are public schools, with tuition fees reduced to a minimum. Enrolment is open for primary classes from age 6 to 11 (5 years of primary education), and secondary classes from age 12 for 7 years of secondary education.

The European Baccalaureate, awarded on completion of 7 years of European secondary education, is accredited by all members of the European Union, in the same way as other European schools.

Lycée Lenster students holding the European Baccalaureate diploma will then be able to enroll in any European university of their choice.

Edward Steichen School in Clervaux EIES

The Edward Steichen European School in Clervaux has been offering several international sections since the start of the 2020 school year:

  • French-, English- and German-speaking sections of secondary schools
  • English primary section

International School of Mondorf-les-Bains EIMBL

Mondorf-les-Bains International School offers several international sections:

  • English and French sections at primary school level.
  • English, French and German sections at secondary school level (first 2 years S1 and S2).

Anne Beffort International School in Mersch EIMAB

The EIMAB international school offers international primary classes from ages 6 to 11, with a French-speaking section and an English-speaking section. 

Secondary schools offer European-style classes in French, English and German sections.

Ecole Gaston Thorn in Luxembourg EIGT

This new school will enhance the range of public European schools in Luxembourg. It will initially accommodate 300 pupils, divided between the Cessange primary school and the Merl secondary school on the Geesseknäppchen campus.

The school will later move to the site of the former Lycée Vauban in Limpertsberg. Secondary school pupils will attend part of their classes in the facilities of the Lycée Michel-Lucius and the Lycée Technique du Centre after its move to Kirchberg.

The school will offer enhanced language learning in Luxembourgish, German, French, English and Portuguese.

Gaston Thorn's main focus is on bringing students into the 21st century. Teaching will be developed around digital skills and the digital environment, music and democracy.

School of Business and Management

Located in Luxembourg-Merl, the Ecole de commerce et de gestion offers a range of courses at secondary level: 4th and 3rd years in administrative and commercial fields, with specialization in management or communication for the 2nd and 1st years.

Fieldgen private school

The Fieldgen private school can also be a complementary option to public high schools. Located in the Gare area, the school offers a classical, general and preparatory education. Boarding facilities are also available for girls.

Ecole Privée Notre-Dame Sainte Sophie

Located in the Luxembourg-Weimershof district, Ecole Privée Sainte Sophie in Luxembourg welcomes children aged 4 to 19 of all nationalities and faiths. It offers 2 parallel school systems, French and Luxembourgish.

École Sainte-Sophie offers basic Luxembourgish education for the 6 primary years, from class 2.1 to class 4.2. Thereafter, pupils can continue their Luxembourgish secondary education in the lycée, from general 7th grade (7G) to general 1st grade (1G).

These courses are fully in line with Luxembourg curricula, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.

Pupils from the 2 school systems benefit from cross-curricular exchanges, and extracurricular activities and vacation supervision are offered to pupils from Ecole Sainte-Sophie.

A chaplaincy is also present, enabling students to take part in Christian events and festivals.

Discover international secondary schools as alternatives to the Luxembourg secondary system.

 

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