Curriculum[edit]
Secondary School
Age   Name   Abbreviation
11-12   First Year   S1
12-13   Second Year   S2
13-14   Third Year   S3
14-15   Fourth Year   S4
15-16   Fifth Year   S5
16-17   Sixth Year   S6
17-18   Seventh Year   S7
The curriculum is common to all fourteen schools and is centrally controlled by the Board of Inspectors and the Board of Governors. There is a strong common core throughout the secondary school.

The following subjects are compulsory for Years 1–7 of the secondary school (equivalent to Years 7–13 in England):
First language (normally mother tongue)
First foreign language (usually one of English, French or German, with some schools providing a local language such as Spanish, Italian, Danish or Dutch as alternate option).
Note: The Irish language is encouraged for children of Irish parentage. While Irish law dictates that children holding Irish passports must learn Irish, there is little or no recourse for the Irish Government to make this compulsory within the European school system, due to its being located outside the jurisdiction of the Irish legal system.
Mathematics
Natural sciences: Physics, Chemistry and Biology
History
Geography
Ethics/religion
Physical education
Art and music are compulsory in Years 1–3, as is the study of a second foreign language (any EU official language, as long as a minimum number of students choose it in the same school) in Years 1–5 and philosophy in Years 6–7.
Children may choose to do one of either Latin or ICT in year 3 (They may also choose to take neither.)

There is a range of options for Years 4–5 including Music, Economics and a third or fourth foreign language, and a greater range of choices in Years 6–7.
Science is taught as an integrated course in Years 1–3 and as three separate subjects (physics, chemistry, biology) in Years 4–5.
At least one science subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) is compulsory in years 6 and 7.
History, Geography and Religious/Moral Studies are studied in the student's first foreign language from Year 3 onwards, as well as Economics, if possible.
Music, Visual arts and Physical education may be studied in the student's first or second foreign language as well.