Education in Ellese

Emphasis is put on small class sizes in Ellese. No class can have more than 20 students, whether in primary or high school.

System of Formal Education (Compulsory):

Primary School (from roughly ages 6-11)

This is where children learn about the basics: how to read, how to write, how to do numeracy etc.

Junior High School (from roughly ages 12-14)

This is where students will learn more advanced/complex stuff than that which they learn in primary school. There will also be a wider subject choice here and more focus will be put on critical thinking.

Senior High School (from roughly ages 15-17) which is divided into:

-Vocational Schools

These are schools where people can get certificates in certain practical skills which enable them to either then get a job in that field after graduating, or do an apprenticeship in that skill after graduating. For example, cooking, carpentry, etc. Some students may start apprenticeships when they are still in SHS, and then complete them afterwards, as well. Around 30% of kids go to these.

-General Schools

These are more general schools for people who want to get more mid-level jobs which require either diplomas or first-level university degrees. For example, primary school teacher, editor, computer programmer. It is generally also the school people who do not know what their aspirations are go to. About 45% of kids go to these.

-Schools for the Arts/Humanities/Sciences

These are schools for students which are academic and ambitious (in the case of the humanities and sciences-focused schools) or have a particular, creative, passion while also being academically capable. Students who want to be go into fields which require higher than first-level university degrees e.g law, medicine will go here. About 25% of students go here.

Students will sit a number of tests at the end of Junior High School which will partially determine what type of Senior High School they go to. Their interests and aspirations will be the other thing which decides their path.

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Students are graded (from grade 3 onwards) on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the least understanding and 5 being the most understanding.

Emphasis, particularly in primary and junior high schools, is put on depth rather than breadth. It is very important that each student deeply understands each concept being taught, and the topic will typically be re-taught to all students who did not understand it to at least a 4 level.

As well as running traditional schools, the government funds and oversees "alternative" (Montessori, Steiner or democratic) schools for primary and junior high levels. Private schools are legal as well, but tend to be very expensive. They are never religiously-focused, that is illegal. Around 78% of the primary-or-junior high school-aged population goes to a traditional public school, 18% goes to an alternative public school and 4% goes to a private school.