According to Act No. 92/2008, on Upper Secondary Schools, upper secondary education is organised as a continuation of compulsory education. The Act defines the role of upper secondary schools in another article.

Article 2 Role

The role of upper secondary schools is to promote the comprehensive development of all students and their active participation in a democratic society by offering each student a suitable education.

Upper secondary schools prepare students for participation in the workforce and further study. They shall strive to enhance students’ skills in the Icelandic language, both spoken and written, enhance students’ moral awareness, sense of responsibility, open-mindedness, initiative, self-confidence and tolerance, train them in disciplined and independent work methods, equality and critical thinking, teach them to enjoy cultural values ​​and encourage the pursuit of knowledge. Upper secondary schools are responsible for the dissemination of knowledge and the training of students so that they acquire the skills to perform specialized jobs and have the prerequisites for pursuing further education.

As can be seen, upper secondary school has a multifaceted role. It is intended to promote the all-round development of all students and their active participation in a democratic society by offering each student a suitable education. It is also intended to prepare students for participation in the workforce and further education.

In upper secondary schools, students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of study programs that provide a variety of preparation and qualifications in the fields of general education, arts, literature and vocational education. In some study programs, the main emphasis is placed on students’ activities in everyday life, preparation for further study and jobs that do not require specialized education. Other study programs have the ultimate goal of preparing students for specialized jobs or specialized studies at the next school level. Thus, study programs must meet the demands of the business world and the next school level while ensuring students a comprehensive general education. The completion of study programs can, for example, be an upper secondary school diploma, a vocational qualification exam, a matriculation exam or other final exams.

All upper secondary school education must include the emphases of the role section of the Act. It is the responsibility of each school to determine how they are best placed in the student’s subjects and work methods. The school’s working methods must be seen equally as part of the curriculum, and these two main strands must form an integral whole in school work.

The entire school community needs to be aware of the role of the upper secondary school in prioritizing the well-being of students. Well-being and health require that the physical, mental, and social aspects of students be taken care of. Parents of minor students are responsible for raising their children, but upper secondary schools also have an educational role. Important formative work is carried out there, along with training and education. The educational work of schools aims to ensure that students become active and responsible participants in a democratic society, respect equality in communication, and take a responsible stance towards their own well-being and that of others. Here, the school atmosphere, communication within and outside the school, and the active participation of students in shaping the school community are of paramount importance.