
Academic Programs
Overview Of The Irish Education System
Primary
Primary (first-level) education Children do not have to attend school until the age of six but it is usual for children to begin school the September following their fourth birthday. Four-year-olds and five-year-olds are enrolled in the junior or senior infant classes.
The curriculum for primary education covers the following key areas: Language, mathematics, social, environment and scientific education, arts education including visual arts music and drama, physical integration, social personal and health education. Primary schools are generally privately owned by religious communities (or boards of governors) but are State-funded.
Second Level
Second-level education Second-level education is provided by different types of post-primary schools. That is, secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive schools. Secondary schools are privately owned and managed. In most cases the trustees are religious communities or boards of governors. Vocational schools are established by the State and administered by vocational education committees. Community and comprehensive schools are managed by boards of management of differing compositions.
Second-level education consists of a three-year junior cycle followed by a two-year or three-year senior cycle depending on whether an optional Transition Year is taken following the Junior Certificate examination. Students generally commence the junior cycle at the age of 12. The Junior Certificate is taken after three years.
Transition Year follows the Junior Certificate examination. This year is free from formal examinations and allows students to experience a wide range of educational inputs, including work experience.
The established Leaving Certificate is the main basis upon which places in universities, institutes of technology and colleges of education are allocated.
The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme differs from the established Leaving Certificate in placing a concentration on technical subjects and including additional modules which have a vocational focus.
The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme has as its primary objective the preparation of participants for adult and working life through relevant learning experiences. These aim to develop the following areas of human endeavour: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, aesthetic and physical.
The Leaving Certificate Applied is not recognised for direct entry to third-level courses but it can enable students to take Post-Leaving Certificate courses.
Third Level
Third-level education Third-level education is made up of a number of sectors. The university sector, the technological sector and the colleges of education are substantially funded by the State. In addition there are a number of independent private colleges.
There are seven universities, which are autonomous and self-governing. They offer degree programmes at bachelor, masters and doctorate level.
The technological sector includes institutes of technology which provide programmes of education and training in areas such as business, science, engineering, linguistics and music to certificate, diploma and degree levels. The Department of Education and Skills has overall responsibility for the sector.
The colleges of education specialise in training for first-level teachers. They offer a three-year bachelor of education degree and a postgraduate diploma.
The training of second-level teachers usually involves completing a primary degree in university or other third-level institution followed by a one-year higher diploma in education. In addition, there are colleges of education that specialise in the training of second-level home economics teachers, teachers of religion and physical education.
Academic Year Program
Full Academic Year | 1 Term Sept-Dec | 2nd Term Jan-May | |
---|---|---|---|
Public School | Price on request | Price on request | Price on request |
Private School | Price on request | Price on request | N/A |
Program Highlights
- Large range of schools to choose from
- A large variety of locations
- Public and Private schools
- Single sex or Co- Educational
- Full Support Service available for students under 18
- 4 Months to full academic year
- Homestay or Boarding available
Private Secondary Schools
John Scottus School
Location: Dublin
Students: 140
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Andrews College
Location: Dublin
Students: 900
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
Midleton College
Location: Cork
Students: 350
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Holy Child School
Location: Dublin
Students: 338
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
Nurturing enthusiasm for learning and intellectual curiosity in a happy and caring environment.
Rockwell College
Location: Tipperary
Students: 550
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding – Boy Only
Loreto Abbey Dalkey
Location: Dublin
Students: 330
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
Rathdown School
Location: Dublin
Students: 325
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Kings Hospital
Location: Dublin
Students: 720
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Alexandra College
Location: Dublin
Students: 471
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Villiers School
Location: Limerick
Students: 609
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Founded under the will of Mrs. Hannah Villiers in 1821. The management and staff embrace and maintain the traditional values of the school and balance them with modern, state of the art education. The student body is multi-denominational and diverse, including students from Spain, Germany, France, Moldova and Russia.
Notre Dame School
Location: Dublin
Students: 200
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
Sligo Grammar School
Location: Sligo
Students: 410
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Both
The school is one of a small number of schools in the Republic of Ireland under Church of Ireland management, and is liberal and egalitarian in its outlook.
St. Columba’s School
Location: Dublin
Students: 300
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Glenstal Abbey School
Location: Limerick
Students: 280
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Both
Dundalk Grammar School
Location: Louth
Students: 600
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Both
Blackrock College
Location: Dublin
Students: 600
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Both
Public Secondary Schools
Kilkenny College
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 850
Type: Semi Private
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Newtown School
Location: Waterford
Students: 300
Type: Semi Private
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
St. Leos College
Location: Carlow
Students: 980
Type: Public
Student Type: Girls Only
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Brigid’s School
Location: Callan
Students: 269
Type: Public
Student Type: Girls Only
Day/ Boarding : Day
Presentation College
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 560
Type: Public
Student Type: Girls
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Kieran’s College
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 600
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys Only
Day/ Boarding : Day
Castlecomer Community College
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 610
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Knockbeg College
Location: Carlow
Students: 480
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys Only
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Mary’s Academy CBS
Location: Carlow
Students: 550
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Éamann Rís CBS
Location: Callan
Students: 233
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys
Day/ Boarding : Day
CBS Thurles
Location: Tipperary
Students: 729
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys
Day/ Boarding : Day
Presentation Thurles
Location: Tipperary
Students: 384
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Mhuire Thurles
Location: Tipperary
Students: 384
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Josephs Spanish Point
Location: Clare
Students: 279
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Borris Vocational School
Location: Borris
Students: 506
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Carlow Vocational School
Location: Carlow
Students: 955
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Eoin Hacketstown
Location: Hacketstown
Students: 233
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach
Location: Carlow
Students: 368
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Presentation / De La Salle College Bagenalstown
Location: Muine Bheag
Students: 596
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Presentation College Carlow
Location: Carlow
Students: 724
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Tullow Community School
Location: Tullow
Students: 633
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Aindriú Secondary School
Location: Muine Bheag
Students: 217
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Kilkenny City Vocational School
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 410
Type: public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Cois Siúire
Location: Mooncoin
Students: 145
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown
Location: Johnstown
Students: 513
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Pobail Osraí
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 209
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Duiske College
Location: Graignamanagh
Students: 166
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Grennan College
Location: Thomastown
Students: 379
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Loreto Secondary School
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 900
Type: Semi Public
Student Type: Girls
Day/ Boarding : Day
Meánscoil na mBráithre Criostaí – C.B.S Secondary School
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 682
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys
Day/ Boarding : Day
Scoil Aireagail
Location: Ballyhale
Students: 190
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Covid-19 Information
- Due to the prevailing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, class-based* lessons are strictly restricted to 7 students in total, who will be socially-distanced and be required observe health and safety protocols in compliance with both the building’s and Equinox’s own Fáilte Ireland accredited COVID-19 Safety Charter.
- On-Line group lessons are also available on request*.
*In the event of additional Level 5 restrictions at this time ALL classes will be taught online for the duration of the lockdown.

Our Award Winning Approach

Meet The Team
We pride ourselves in finding the right programs for you, whether it is learning Japanese and Calligraphy in Kyoto, to going to High school in the Hawaii. Equinox Education Services is here for YOU!





