In either case the schools offered are of excellent standard. Boarding and day schools may be mixed or single sex. All schools are fully recognised by the Irish Department of Education. The Educational System Irish students attend Secondary school from the ages of 12 to 17, or 18. The first three years are spent studying for the Junior Certificate examination, this is usually followed by a 'transition year', and then the final two years leading to the Leaving Certificate.
Most students study six or seven subjects.
Mathematics and English are obligatory. The selection of other subjects varies slightly from school to school. For students doing state exams these run until about the end of the third week in June. Irish academic standards are very highly rated around the world. A good Leaving Certificate will gain a student entry into any university in England, U.S.A. and other European countries.