Education in Argentina is divided into 3 stages:
- Pre-School education (one grade, from age 5);
- Primary education (seven grades, from age 6 to 12);
- Secondary Education (five grades, from age 13 to 17/18).
Secondary education in Argentina (secundaria) generally runs from around age 12-13 to 18, though the exact structure varies slightly by province, since education is managed regionally rather than nationally. Most schools follow the same overall pattern:
- The first years (ciclo básico) cover core subjects common to all students.
- The final years (ciclo orientado) let students specialize in a track such as sciences, humanities, economics, or the arts, similar in spirit to choosing electives or an academic focus in the US.
School Schedule
A typical school day runs five days a week, generally starting around 8 AM and finishing in the early-to-mid afternoon, though exact hours vary by school: most schools go from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, though some run an afternoon shift instead, from 1:30 to 6:30 PM.
School Year Calendar
The school year follows the Southern Hemisphere calendar: classes run from early March to mid-December, with summer vacation in January and February.
School Environment
Nacel places students in public schools, in semi-private or semi-public schools (subsidized or partly tuition-funded), and, on request, for an additional fee, in fully private schools. Many schools require a uniform.
School Curriculum
All subjects are compulsory; students have between 12 and 14 subjectsper school year. Core subjects at the secondary level include
- Mathematics,
- Spanish,
- Literature,
- English (as a foreign language),
- Natural Sciences,
- Social Sciences,
- Physical Education,
- Music,
- Technology,
- and Economy.
Depending on the school, additional subjects may include Technical Drawing, Biology, Physics, Visual Arts, Chemistry, French, Italian, or Latin.
Academic credits
International students receive a certificate of attendance and can request a grade report at the end of their stay (this must be requested when applying; let your Nacel counselor know in advance).
Please note: neither Nacel nor the host school can guarantee that grades or credits earned in Argentina will be recognized by your home school; check with your school counselor before you go. Graduating from an Argentinian high school is not part of this program.
Social and Daily Life
Unlike some other countries, Argentine schools don't run extracurricular clubs on campus. Instead, students get involved in their host town's local clubs, a great way to make friends outside of class, whether that means football, volleyball, tango classes, or an extra Spanish course.
