School System

The Norwegian school system can be divided into three parts: Elementary (primary) school (“Barneskole”, age 6-13), lower secondary school (“Ungdomsskole”, age 13-16), and upper secondary school (“Videregående skole”, age 16-19). Both, elementary and lower secondary school is compulsory for all learners aged 6-16. Learners almost always have to change school when they enter lower secondary school and upper secondary school, as most schools only offer one of the levels.

When the learners enter lower secondary school, at age 12 or 13, they begin to get marks for their work. The scale is running from 1 through 6, with 6 being the highest and 2 the lowest passing grade.