Homeschooling in Greece

Member since 01 June 2015

BhavnaTeam20 November 2019 04:32:18

41192

Hello everyone,

Homeschooling your children as an expat in Greece will definitely come with its load of challenges. Here is a special call to parents who are already homeschooling their children or who plan on doing so to share any information they might have.

Should you opt for homeschooling, is it legal in Greece ? Do you require to register your child or do you need any kind of permission / exemption from the authorities ? If it is not legal, what alternative option/s do you have ?

How do you go about getting all the necessary educational resources (books, syllabus, notes etc) to pursue your childrens education in Greece ? Does it depend on the curriculum ?

What do you add in your homeschooling techniques to help educate your child that might not be offered or available in traditional schooling ?

How do you socialise homeschooled children in Greece by providing them opportunities to interact with other children ?

If you have any interest in homeschooling, could you please share your views on the pros and cons ?

Thank you for sharing your experience,
Bhavna

Lekkas New member

Member since 15 October 2019

LekkasNew member23 November 2019 15:32:26

Hello,

kids in greece have to go to school by law:
Age:
1) 4-6 = 2 years of kindergarden (we call it "νηπιαγωγείο: nipiagogio")
2) 6-12 = 6 years of primary/elementary school (we call it "δημοτικό: dimotiko")
3) 13-16 = 3 years of secondary/junior high school (we call it "γυμνάσιο: gimnasio")

Before 4 and after 16, it is not obligatory by law, but there are more rungs.
And of course there is public or private school, you can decide where your kid wanna go.

In most of the schools there are extra classes for the kids not from greece that need help with the language.

As for homeschooling, i think (I am not 100% sure) that only for health reasons a child is free from usual school and can have only homeschooling.

If anyone needs a teacher for homeschooling or just some extra hours please send me a message, I know good teachers that can help you in a good price.

Hope my message was helpful.

Cheers!

Chantalvwelbergen Member

Member since 03 July 2024

ChantalvwelbergenMember03 July 2024 10:33:10

@Bhavna Hi!! I was wondering if you ever made it to homeschooling or have found any valuable information? We are in the same situation right now. And just found this topic.

Warmest regards,

Helena

paregerou Member

Member since 01 October 2023

paregerouMember03 July 2024 21:33:12

@Chantalvwelbergen Lekkas is correct. Homeschool is illegal in Greece (unless the child is severely disabled and unable to attend school). However, there are alternative education options in cities like Athens, Thessolonikki and Chania. For instance, there are wonderful child led Montessori schools in Athens and I've heard there is a forest school s well, but all of them are in highly urban areas. For those who love nature as much as we do, Our Greek Village Cohousing community, an intentional community, is creating a child-led Montessori Farm School near our cohousing village. We are in a breathtaking location in a mountain agrihood. We are looking for highly motivated parents who want to take an active part in designing the program and school so that their children receive an education that matches their values and dreams for their children. We've also been contacted by parents who would like to design a Waldorf school instead.