High schools and secondary education in Luxembourg

At the age of 12, after completing primary school, students in the Luxembourg system move on to secondary school, where they are requiredto remain until the age of 18 or until they obtain a diploma or certificate of completion.

Here we provide details of the various secondary school systems in Luxembourg, as well as the procedures for enrolling in public high schools.

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Secondary education in Luxembourg high schools

At the end of the final year of primary education, students move on to secondary education.

Luxembourg's secondary education system offers several types of education lasting 6 or 7 years: classical, international, British, European, or general education (formerly known as technical education).

The choice of secondary school is made jointly by parents and teachers, based on the student's results and abilities. See the guidance process at the end of primary education.

In Luxembourg, 37 public high schools and 5 private high schools offer Luxembourg secondary education programs.

Education in public high schools is free of charge.

Traditional secondary education (ESC)

General principle of Luxembourg classical secondary education

Secondary education in a Luxembourg classical high school lasts seven years, from 7th ESC to 1st ESC. This stream is offered to students with a good knowledge of mathematics, French, and German.

Classical secondary education leads to a classical secondary school leaving certificate. It opens up the possibility of higher education at universities in Luxembourg or abroad.

High schools offer a standard classical 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 specific programs in the lower grades (7th to 5th grades):

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

Starting in the first year of high school (7th grade), students can choose language options in Chinese (Lycée Athénée), English, or Latin. English instruction is mandatory starting in 5th grade.

Develop foreign language skills gently through comic books and reading. Enroll your children in a library.

Final years of traditional high school education

The specialization cycles offered in the upper division (9th, 10th, and 11th grades) differ depending on the high school. They may include modern languages, mathematics and computer science, natural sciences and mathematics, economics and mathematics, visual arts, music, and humanities and social sciences.

The final secondary school exam in the traditional stream covers six subjects, with six written tests and two oral tests. Students choose their exam subjects from languages and mathematics, general education, and their specializations.

International public secondary education

Some Luxembourg high schools also offer the option of preparing for an International Baccalaureate. The last two years (11th and 12th grades) are devoted to studying the International Baccalaureate program.

This program 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 those who wish to continue their studies abroad.

The International Baccalaureate certifies the completion of secondary education with a diploma recognized in more than 140 countries around the world, including Luxembourg.

This program 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 would like your child to continue the school curriculum of your country of origin, they can attend one of the international, European, French, or English schools in Luxembourg.

British public secondary education

In Luxembourg high schools that offer this option, students will follow a curriculum that allows them to achieve A-Level qualifications recognized in more than 125 countries around the world. Classes are taught in English. French and German are chosen as a second and/or third language.

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

These courses, recognized by Cambridge University PA, are aimed at English-speaking students who are likely to pursue an international higher education program.

European public secondary education

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

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

• International School of Differdange and Esch-sur-Alzette (EIDE);
• International School in Junglinster, Lënster Lycée International School (LLIS)
• Edward Steichen International School in Clervaux (LESC)
• International School in Mondorf-les-Bains (EIMLB)
• Anne Beffort International School in Mersch (EIMAB).

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

See the range of private international education options.

ESG general secondary education (formerly technical)

General secondary education is offered as an alternative to students who do not enter the traditional Luxembourg public school system. Several paths are possible:

• a course leading to a general secondary school leaving certificate, allowing access to higher education and university
• a more vocational track, offered according to the student's wishes and profile. Various diplomas can be obtained at the end of the program:
  • a technician's diploma for access to higher technical studies leading to a Higher Technician's Certificate
  • vocational aptitude diploma
  • certificate of professional competence via a preparatory course.

Here too, specific classes will be offered to newly arrived foreign students.

Depending on the chosen orientation, secondary education in vocational schools also lasts seven years, from "7e ESG" to "1ère ESG." Students acquire skills that they have not yet acquired at the end of elementary school. They obtain a final diploma and can go on to higher education, technical higher education via preparatory courses, or directly into employment.

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

Students who complete secondary education with a Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (Higher Technical Certificate) can apply for fixed-term jobs during the school year.

Secondary education curriculum and final exam in the Luxembourg school system

At the end of secondary school, students take an exam to obtain a high school diploma, the "bac." They can then go on to higher education.

The final grade at the end of secondary education in Luxembourg is calculated as 1/3 based on continuous assessment of results obtained during the year and 2/3 based on the exam grade. The oral exam counts for a quarter of the exam grade.

The final exam takes place in June at the end of the Première year. All students are required to take the exam. If they fail the first exam in June, students can retake it in September, provided they have attended school regularly throughout the year and have a sufficient average grade in the exam.

If they fail the exam, students will have to repeat their Première year.

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Enrollment in Luxembourg high schools

The decision to pursue one type of education or another is made in the final year (cycle 4.2) of elementary school.

Enrollment in Luxembourg high schools is subject to the availability of places at the school of first choice. If the child is not accepted into this high school, they will have to apply to another school in the second round, depending on the availability of places.

Are you confused by the Luxembourg secondary school system? You can ask for help. Find out more here.

Choosing a secondary school

There is a wide range of Luxembourg high schools to choose from, including traditional, general, European, and international schools. There are more than forty private and public high schools in the Luxembourg system.

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

To help you make your choice based on the options available, visit Mengschoul.lu. You will find a map of the school district and details of each school system and high school.

Would you like 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, Lycée Athénée in Luxembourg is a highly renowned public school in Luxembourg. It offers a traditional Luxembourg secondary education and, since 2010, the opportunity for bilingual English-speaking students to prepare for the International Baccalaureate (IB). Athénée is also an IB World School.

Admission to the international section is based on excellent knowledge of the English language and successful completion of language and mathematics entrance exams.

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

Many prominent figures, 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.

Athénée students go on to pursue higher education in fields such as law and medicine.

Michel Lucius High School

The Lycée Michel Lucius in Luxembourg is a general secondary school (formerly technical). It now offers the possibility of following a curriculum in English. At the end of their studies, students receive a GCE A-level diploma, equivalent to the Certificate of Secondary Education (3e ES) under certain conditions.

English-language curriculum

Since the start of the 2017 school year, Michel Lucius has also been welcoming children into its English-language elementary school program. This Luxembourgish curriculum is offered as an alternative to the Luxembourgish elementary school for students whose mother tongue is English.

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

The diploma obtained 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, other tests will be required in relation to the subjects chosen by the student.

Luxembourg general secondary school

For secondary education, Lycée Michel Lucius offers students technical secondary education classes from 7th to 13th grade, either general or focused on natural sciences, administration and commerce, or focused on health and social professions.

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

Lycée Technique du Centre

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

The LTC offers preparation for the International Baccalaureate and is listed as an IB World School. The IB international diploma is recognized by all major universities worldwide.

In addition to all the technical secondary sections, it is also possible to follow technical training courses in the fields of chemistry (the LTC's flagship subject), automotive mechanics, and administration and commerce.

Integration classes are also offered to students who do not have a good command of the languages used in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, so that they can follow the curriculum corresponding to their age group and quickly learn the languages of the country (Luxembourgish, German, French). See academic support for foreign children.

The LTC is also open to adult education as part of initial training and preparation for the master's degree.

Today, the LTC operates on two campuses: the main campus located in Limpertsberg on the site of a former Dominican convent, and a branch campus in Kirchberg with 450 students from around 50 different countries.

The Lycée Technique du Centre is expected 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 International School of Differdange and Esch-sur-Alzette (EIDE) is a public school in the southern part of the country. It prepares students for the European Baccalaureate in accordance with European education regulations. Open to all, admission to EIDE is based on application (no test required). Proximity between home and school is one of the main admission criteria.

The school offers a five-year European primary education program, a seven-year European secondary education program, as well as three preparatory classes and reception classes.

The school is characterized by:

• An English-speaking section from primary school to the European Baccalaureate, and, starting in the 2018-2019 school year, French- and German-speaking sections as well.
• Luxembourgish language instruction, as a language of integration, compulsory for all primary school pupils and for pupils in the lower secondary school classes. Reception classes for newly arrived pupils
• Exchanges with national and European schools.

The EIDE is a multilingual school.

• At the primary level, there are two sections: a French-speaking section and an English-speaking section, where all classes are taught in that language, except for language classes, of course. Students can choose a primary language from French, German, English, and Portuguese, and a secondary language from French, German, and English.
• At secondary level, students choose a third language from French, German, English, and Portuguese, and a fourth European language of their choice.

Lycée Lenster in Junglinster LLIS

Lycée Lenster in Junglinster is a public school in Luxembourg. It offers two European sections, German and English-speaking, for students starting in primary school (age 6).

As it is a public school, the international sections are open to all, with tuition fees reduced to a minimum. Enrollment is open to primary school classes from age 6 to 11 (5 years of primary education) and secondary school classes from age 12 for 7 years of secondary education.

The European Baccalaureate, awarded after seven years of European secondary education, is accredited by all members of the European Union, as are other European schools.

Students at Lycée Lenster who hold 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-speaking, English-speaking, and German-speaking secondary education sections
• English-speaking primary section

Mondorf-les-Bains International School EIMBL

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

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

Anne Beffort International School in Mersch EIMAB

The EIMAB International School offers international primary classes for children aged 6 to 11, with a French-speaking section and an English-speaking section.

The secondary school offers European-style classes in French, English, and German sections.

Gaston Thorn School in Luxembourg EIGT

This new school enriches the range of public European schools in Luxembourg. It will initially welcome 300 students divided between the Cessange site for primary school and Merl for secondary school on the Geesseknäppchen campus.

The school will subsequently move to the site of the former Lycée Vauban in Limpertsberg. Secondary school students will attend some of their classes at the Lycée Michel-Lucius and the Lycée Technique du Centre after its move to Kirchberg.

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

Gaston Thorn places particular emphasis on giving students a strong foundation for the 21st century. Teaching will focus on digital skills and the digital environment, music, and democracy.

School of Business and Management

Located in Luxembourg-Merl, the School of Business and Management offers several secondary-level courses: 4th and 3rd years in administration and business, with specialization in management or communication for 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 district, the school offers a traditional, general, and preparatory education. A boarding school is also available for girls.

Notre-Dame Sainte Sophie Private School

Located in the Luxembourg-Weimershof district, the Sainte Sophie Private School in Luxembourg welcomes children aged 4 to 19, of all nationalities and religions. It offers two parallel school systems, French and Luxembourgish.

The Sainte-Sophie school offers basic Luxembourgish education during the six years of primary school, from class 2.1 to class 4.2. Students can then continue their secondary education in Luxembourgish at the high school, from the 7th general class (7G) to the 1st general class (1G).

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

Students from both school systems benefit from cross-curricular exchanges, and extracurricular activities and holiday supervision are offered to students at Ecole Sainte-Sophie.

A chaplaincy is also available, allowing students to participate in Christian events and celebrations.

Discover international secondary schools that offer an alternative to the Luxembourg secondary school system.