If you are thinking of moving to Crete with children their education will be an
important factor affecting you decision of whether or not to move.

There is one full time school in Heraklion (European school) which teaches
lessons in English  and one full time private school in Chania which follows the
American curriculum.


The European School in Heraklion

The School of European Education (SEE) opened in September 2005. It  was
set up as an international school primarily in order to provide schooling for the
children of the multi-lingual European employees of ENISA, The European
Organisation for the Safety of Networks and Information, and to offer all pupils
a European oriented intercultural and multilingual education.

The European school provides Nursery, Primary and Secondery school
education.  As well as providing education for the children of ENISA employees,
the school also takes other pupils as follows:

- Children of the employees of International Organizations and Diplomatic
services that are based in Heraklion, Crete
- Children whose parents (at least one of them) are nationals of an EU member
state.

The School aims at familiarising the pupils with a multilingual and multicultural
education.

The school is actually based in a Greek school, the 3rd Dimotiko of Heraklion  in
Ag. Triada,  on Savathianou street. It is part of the public school system and
there are no fees.

For more information about  the European School see their website at
www.sch-eur-education.gr  Tel. (0030) 2810 301780
Read an article about the European school
here


Chania - Theodoropoulos Private School

Theodoropoulos School  is a private school in Korakies, Akrotiri, Chania which
teaches the American curriculum. It is authorised by the Greek Ministry of
Education. All international students are accredited, are eligible to study
anywhere abroad and the transcription from the school will be accredited by
colleges and universities in the USA.

Fees start at €7,800 per year (2009 / 2010)

Click for more  
Theodoropoulos School Information (English)
School main Website:
www.zita.gr (Greek)
Email: kostas(at)zita.gr


Part time English Language Schools

In Chania the Cross Cultural Center offers part time English language and
cultural programmes aimed at bi-lingual or native English speaking children.

Cross Cultural Center
32 Athinon
Koun Kapi
Chania
Contact Tel. Alexandra MIhelakis -+30 6948364682, Carla Dolce-Stavrides- +30
6948364681 and Karen Sifostratoudakis- +30 6948364680.
A message can also be left at the following landline number 2821054364.

Lessons are  two to three times a week, in the afternoon, 2 hours per session.
There are classes for pre -school aged children, right up to teens.    


Greek School

Any child who lives in Greece can attend Greek school.
To register your child at Greek school or nursery  go along to the school in your
residential area. Some documentation showing  your local address (e.g.
electricity or phone bill) is usually required, to prove that you are living in the
area. You will also need the child's birth certificate, and you may be asked for
details/proof  of your child's innoculation history.

How will your child adjust to Greek school?
In general, the younger the child, the easier it will be for him/her to adapt.
Toddlers and small children adapt and absorb  new language very  easily.
Children who join a Greek school at a very young age should progress normally
(and with the help of extra lessons, as is the norm for Greek school children)
through the Greek school system.

Older children, and especially those coming up to, and in,  their teens  may
have a very hard time adjusting. They will be thrown into a strange language
and culture and any child who is not  fluent in Greek will be placed in a class
with much younger children as they learn the language. Note that this does
not mean they will be taught Greek in class - they will be sitting in on lessons
which will be impossible for them to understand if they don't fully comprehend
Greek.. Imagine how your 12 year old will feel spending seven hours a day in a
class of 8 year olds, with whom he can hardly communicate...

You should carefully consider what effect a move would have on older children
in particular, and their future education. Children from another country with
little or no knowledge of Greek, who join the system mid way through are
unlikely to graduate from high school as they will not have the language skills.
Think of  reading and debating Greek literature, for example,  or passing an
advanced physics exam in Greek, after just two or three years studying the
language, and having missed much of the curriculum.

Nursery Schools
The state nursery schools  'nipio' , start taking children who have reached their
fourth birthday by the start of the school year (September). There are two
years of state nursery school, 'pro nipio' and 'nipio', however some nursery
schools have a shortage of teachers and so will only take children in the
second year (nipio) i.e. at 5 years old.
You should enquire at the nearest school to where you will be living.

Private nurseries in Crete are very reasonably priced, and many working
parents send their young children to one. The cost is around  250 Euros a
month for 5 days a week, and you can negotiate a better price for part time. It
may be a good idea for a young child to go to one of these nurseries, even
part time, just to get used to the language. They generally accept babies from
a few months old, up to children of five.





















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Further reading
Wanting to move family to Crete on the forum.

If you have any other questions about schooling in Crete you can ask for
advice on the
forum from members living in Crete.
Copyright 2004-2012  Carol Palioudaki. Schools in Crete. www.livingincrete.net
Living in Crete
Schools in Crete
Index  > Settling > Schools in Crete
Schools in Crete
Living in Crete guide book
_________________________________________________________
Further detailed information on schools in Greece & Crete including curriculum,
teaching methods and expectations throughout the Dimotiko, Gymnasio and
Lykeio school system can be found in the book  "Living in Crete. A Guide to
Living, working, Retiring & Buying Property in Crete".
click here to get a copy
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