Municipal or independent compulsory school?

Compulsory schools can be municipal, state or independent. For municipal schools, the municipality is the accountable authority (owner). Independent schools can be run by a limited liability company, a foundation or an association.

Municipal schools

When a school is run by a municipality, that municipality's education department or education committee is the accountable authority of the school.

Most compulsory schools are municipal, and pupils usually attend a municipal school close to their home.

Independent schools

Independent schools are run by an organiser (owner) other than the municipality. The organiser of an independent school is the school board or similar. Anyone wishing to establish an independent school applies for authorisation from the Swedish Schools Inspectorate.

Independent schools are open to everyone, and the teaching must be on par with that provided to pupils in municipal schools.

Different specialisations and orientations

Each independent school can have different specialisations and orientations, such as English classes or cultural and sports classes.­ Independent schools can also be denominational, which means they have a religious orientation.

If a school does not follow the regulations

If a compulsory school does not follow the applicable regulations, you can lodge a complaint with the accountable authority/organiser. If this does not help, you can submit information about the shortcomings to the Swedish Schools Inspectorate. The Inspectorate can implement various measures to improve the school. In the case of independent schools, the Swedish Schools Inspectorate can also revoke their authorisation. The school will then be forced to close.