2. The school calendar is defined annually by the Minister of Education - The kindergarten calendar is longer . Term Beginning End Interruptions for students 1st 15 th September 2011 16 th December 2011 19 th December 2011 to 2nd January 2012 – Christmas Celebrations 2nd 3 rd January 2012 23 rd March 2012 20 th February 2012 to 22nd February 2012 - Carnival Festivities 3rd 10 th April 2012 8th June 2012 Exams : 6th, 9th, 11th and 12th forms 15th June 2012 – other forms 26th March 2012 to 9th April 2012 – religious celebrations of Easter

4. Nursery school - The pre-school education is intended for children aged 3 and 6 years, is often optional and is provided in kindergartens public or private. - The kindergartens are free public

5. - Compulsory education lasts for 12 years, from 6 to 18 years old, and is organized in four consecutive cycles. - Before the year 2009, compulsory education was up to 15 years Compulsory education Levels Years of schooll Age First Cycle 1.º - 4.º 6-10 years Second Cycle 5.º - 6.º 10-12 years Third Cycle 7.º - 9.º 12-15 years Secondary Education 10º - 12º 15 – 18 years

6. First cycle of basic education The teaching is comprehensive and aims to develop basic skills in Portuguese Language, Mathematics, Environmental Studies and Phrases. With the implementation of full-time school, by extending the hours of operation for a minimum of eight hours a day, the schools promote activities to enrich the curriculum, eg Compulsory English, study support for all students, Activity physical and sports in the Teaching of Music and other artistic expressions. The cycle operates in a regime monodocência, using specialist teachers in certain areas.

7. Second and third cycle of basic education At the two. Rd cycle instruction is arranged by subjects and multidisciplinary study areas. In 3. Cycle, the teaching is organized by subject. The main objectives of this cycle are the development of knowledge and skills necessary for entry into working life or further study. The 2. And 3. Rd cycles operate on a pluridocência, with specialist teachers in different subject areas or disciplines.

8. Primary education is compulsory to learn two foreign languages​​, including English, French, German and Spanish. Throughout primary school students are subject to internal summative assessment, in addition, at the end of 3. Cycle, students are subjected to external summative assessment by national testing in the disciplines of mathematics and Portuguese. Students who successfully complete the 3. Cycle is assigned a degree of basic education. Public education is free.

9. Secondary education Secondary education is organized into different forms, either targeted for further studies or to the world of work. The curriculum of secondary level is a benchmark of three academic years and includes four types of courses: - Scientific-humanistic courses, designed primarily to further studies at tertiary level; - Technological courses, aimed at students wishing to enter the labor market, allowing also the continuation of studies on technological specialized or higher education; - Specialized art courses, to ensure specialized artistic training in the areas of visual arts, audiovisual, dance and music, allowing entry into the world of work or further education courses in post - secondary non-tertiary, or even in higher education; - Vocational courses intended to provide entry into the world of work, providing also further education courses in post - secondary non-tertiary or higher education. Modules are organized by different areas of training.

10. To complete any course of high school students are subject to an internal summative assessment. In addition to this assessment, students of the scientific-humanistic courses are also subject to an external summative assessment through the implementation of national examinations in certain subjects prescribed by law. Students who have completed this level of education is assigned a secondary education diploma. The technological, artistic and skilled professionals provide even a vocational qualification at level 3. In public education, students have to pay a small annual fee.

11. Higher Education Higher education is structured according to the Bologna principles and aims to ensure a solid scientific preparation, cultural, artistic and technological to enable the exercise of professional and cultural activities. In Portugal is organized in a binary system: university education and polytechnic education, administered by public institutions of higher education, private or cooperative. In higher education are awarded the following academic qualifications: First degree (degree), Master's degree (master) and PhD (Doctor).

12. To apply for access to higher education, students must meet the following requirements: - Have successfully completed a course in upper secondary education qualification or equivalent; - Have carried out the necessary entrance exams for the course you wish to attend with a minimum rating of 95 points; - Meet the pre-requisites for the course they are applying. Entrance to each higher education institution is subject to numerus clausus).