For professionals
German School System
Elementary schools
From the first to the fourth class, children attend the elementary school (Grundschule). Small towns have normally only one elementary school. In bigger cities, you should ask the responsible education authority which school is in charge of your part of the city.
Secondary schools
After the fourth class in the elementery school, students will change to a secondary school unless they attend a comprehensive school (Gesamtschule) that combines the Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium and offers an alternative to the tripartite school system.
There are the following school types:
- “Hauptschule” (non-academic secondary school) / “Werkrealschule” (technical secondary school): students graduate after grade nine or ten. They can then start their vocational training or continue their schooling.
- “Realschule” (mid-level secondary school): students graduate after grade ten. This forms a good basis for vocational training or further schooling.
- “Gymnasium” (academic secondary school): at the end of the 12th or 13th grade, students receive a university-entry diploma upon passing the relevant examination, which is a good basis for a future career.
More Information
For more Information on the German schooling system see www.make-it-in-germany.de.