Primary/lower secondary school

Primary/lower secondary school is a nine-year mandatory form of schooling. It comprises nine academic years, and each academic year is made up of an autumn term and a spring term. Primary/lower secondary school is available to all children aged between 7 and 16. For children who are unable to complete their schooling at primary/lower secondary level, there are special schools and mandatory special schools.

The majority of schools in Sweden are municipal, which means that the municipality is the principal for their operations. Most commonly, children attend municipal schools near their homes. Students and their parents are also entitled to choose a different municipal school, or a school independent of the municipality.

Independent schools are open to all and have to be approved by the Swedish Schools Inspectorate. The teaching in independent schools must have essentially the same targets as municipal schools, but their focus may differ from that of municipal schools. "A different focus" means - for example - a special form of education (Montessori or Waldorf education), ethnic focus or specific religious focus. If independent schools fail to comply with applicable regulations, the Swedish Schools Inspectorate may revoke its approval.