The secondary school system is divided into:
- Hauptschule – for less academic students;
- Realschule – for intermediary students;
- Gymnasium – for academic students;
- Gesamtschule – a comprehensive school combining all education types.
What is the best school in Germany?
Which is the best international school in Munich?
- Munich International School.
- Bavarian International School.
- International Bilingual School Munich.
- Phorms Bilingual School Munich.
- Obermenzinger Gymnasium.
How are schools organized in Germany?
- Gymnasium: for "academic" students
- Realschule: for students focused on vocational education (intermediate school)
- Hauptschule: for "less academic" students
- Gesamtschule: comprehensive school for all education types
- Integrated schools: where Hauptschule and Realschule curricula are merged
How does the German school system work?
The secondary school system is divided into:
- Hauptschule – for less academic students;
- Realschule – for intermediary students;
- Gymnasium – for academic students;
- Gesamtschule – a comprehensive school combining all education types.
What is the higher education system in Germany?
Germany is renowned for its excellent higher education system. German degree courses include a wide range of subjects, with some courses taught in English. Tuition fees are not charged at Germany’s public universities, even for international students. This, coupled with an excellent reputation for offering world-leading technical degrees, is why Germany is such a popular choice with ...
How long is a school day in Germany?
45 minutesThe School Day Classes normally start between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. and can end between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. Class periods are normally 45 minutes long with a short break in between. However, in recent years some schools (Ganztagsschule) have started offering longer days.
What grade is a 12 year old in Germany?
From ages six to ten, children go through four years of school at a primary level. However, some primary schools and private institutions run for six years; that means your 5th-grade age would be 11 and a 6th-year student would be 12 years old.
How are schools different in Germany?
A German class schedule is not the same every day. More like a college schedule, with some classes three times a week, while others are only two days a week. German students attend school for 187-190 days in an academic year, depending on the state. The school year in the US lasts 180 days.
Do German schools have grades?
In primary and lower secondary education (1st to 10th grade), German school children receive grades based on a 6-point grading scale ranging from 1 (excellent, sehr gut) to 6 (insufficient, ungenügend). Variations on the traditional six grade system allow for awarding grades suffixed with "+" and "−".
How long is summer break in Germany?
six to six and a half weeksGermany. In Germany, summer vacation lasts six to six and a half weeks. The exact dates vary by state as well as from one to the next year, from the earliest (mid-June to late July) to the latest (late July to early September).
Why does Germany not allow homeschooling?
Germany imposes mandatory school attendance, and while many European countries allow for homeschooling, Germany has explicitly made this form of education illegal—which has caused many families to flee the country in order to exercise the right to home educate.
Is school free in Germany?
Everyone can study in Germany tuition-free! That's right: Germans, Europeans, and all non-Europeans can study in Germany free of charge - without tuition fees. It does not matter if you are from the EU or EEA. This applies to almost all study programmes at public universities.
At what age school starts in Germany?
six years oldOnce your children are six years old, they are required to go to school, since school attendance is compulsory in Germany. Most German schools are run by the state and there is no charge for your children to attend.
Is German education difficult?
German is an incredibly difficult language to learn, with a very different grammatical structure than English. But worse still, you cannot write the way you speak in German. There is a very particular rhythm to writing in German, and it is hard to learn that if you did not grow up writing the language.
What age do you leave school in Germany?
age 18Most schools take students until 15 or 16 years of age. The Gymnasium students end at age 18 (grade 13).
Do German schools wear uniforms?
There is no tradition of wearing school uniforms in Germany, and today, almost all students of state schools, private schools or universities do not wear school uniforms.
What age do you graduate high school in Germany?
What age do you graduate high school in Germany? The age of graduation depends on which school type or educational “stream” the student is placed in. Gymnasium students graduate at age 18. However, Realschule students can graduate at either 15 or 16.
What grade should a 12 year old be in?
Grade 7International StudentsStudent Age (as of September 1, 2022)American Grade Equivalent12 years oldGrade 711 years oldGrade 610 years oldGrade 59 years oldGrade 47 more rows
What age is 9th grade in Germany?
The secondary school system in Germany Secondary education in Germany consists of two general phases, although things vary across the different states. There is the lower phase (sekundarstufe I), which in most states takes place between ages 10 and 15/16 (or from grades 5 to 9/10).
What is 11th and 12th called in Germany?
Hauptschule (secondary general school for grades 5 through 9 or 10) Realschule (more practical secondary school for grades 5 through 10) Gymnasium (more academic secondary school for grades 5 through 12 or 13) Gesamtschule (comprehensive school for grades 5 through 12 or 13)
What age is high school in Germany?
High school years in Germany vary by which stream or level you choose to study at. Most schools take students until 15 or 16 years of age. The Gymnasium students end at age 18 (grade 13).
What is a Gesamtschule?
Gesamtschule – a comprehensive school combining all education types. The Hauptschule ends after the 9th school grade with the Hauptschulabschluss certificate, the Realschule after the 10th grade with the Realschulabschluss certificate.
What is the Digital Pact for Schools?
The Federal Government and Länder want to change this with the Digital Pact for Schools; its aim is to improve the standard of digital technology in schools. Equal opportunities: All children are supposed to have the same opportunities in education.
How long does it take for a child to go to primary school?
Children first attend primary school for four years. In their fourth year the decision is made on how to continue their education. The secondary school system is divided into: Hauptschule – for less academic students; Realschule – for intermediary students; Gymnasium – for academic students;
Can parents teach their children in Germany?
Martina Schüttler-Hansper / 11.07.2019. iStockphoto. Unlike in other countries with compulsory education, parents in Germany are not allowed to teach their children at home. Here, school attendance is compulsory, and this is justified by the state’s duty to educate. Children usually start school at the age of six and attend classes ...
How long does a German student go to school?
German students attend school for 187-190 days in an academic year, depending on the state. The school year in the US lasts 180 days. German students only get a six-week summer vacation, but they have more frequent vacation breaks during the school year.
What is the German grading system?
The Grading System#N#The German grading scale runs from 1 to 6, with one being the best grade (A) and six the worst (F). Poor grades in several subjects can result in a student having to repeat an entire school year.#N#Class Schedule#N#A German class schedule is not the same every day. More like a college schedule, with some classes three times a week, while others are only two days a week.#N#School Days#N#German students attend school for 187-190 days in an academic year, depending on the state. The school year in the US lasts 180 days. German students only get a six-week summer vacation, but they have more frequent vacation breaks during the school year. In recent years, some US school districts have adopted a similar schedule, with more frequent breaks.#N#School Vacation Dates#N#In order to avoid massive traffic jams, German schools in the 16 states have a staggered vacation ( Ferien) schedule that rotates each year. One year schools in Berlin may begin their summer vacation in June, while those in Bavaria begin in July. There is even a website where you can find a state-by-state Schulferien guide for the next several years.#N#No Substitute Teachers#N#If a teacher is absent, there is no class that day, or the class is taught by a colleague who has a free period. Substitutes ( Ersatzlehrer) are only hired for lengthy absences.#N#School Trips#N#School trips are often more ambitious and more extensive than in the US. A typical English class in Germany might have an annual trip by bus to London with their teachers for a week or ten days, staying in youth hostels.#N#No Hall Passes, No Study Hall#N#If students have a free period, they are free to do whatever they want to during that time. There are usually no study halls (except in a Ganztagsschule) or hall passes. German secondary pupils are not treated like babies. They are expected to be responsible.#N#Klassenlehrer#N#Beginning in the fifth grade in a Gymnasium (seventh for other school types), students are grouped into “homerooms” with a particular teacher Klassenlehrer. They stay together for the rest of their school years.#N#No School Bus#N#Although there may be school buses in some rural areas, in most German cities and towns, pupils bike, walk or use public transportation to get to and from school.
What was the Gesamtschule reform?
In some states, usually governed by the SPD (Social Democratic Party), there was an attempt to reform the system by creating a more inclusive kind of secondary school, more like the American high school.
What is the name of the school system that replaced the three schools?
Although the original idea was to replace the old three-school system ( Gymnasium, Realschule, Hauptschule) with a single secondary school, the Gesamtschule or Einheitsschule, in practice it has not worked out that way.
What is the German Gymnasium?
The German Gymnasium is an academic secondary school that prepares pupils for a university education. It begins with the fifth grade (seventh in Berlin/Brandenburg). After grade 12 or 13 (depending on the state), students earn a diploma called das Abitur by passing an oral and written examination.
What is the responsibility of the Bundesländer?
As in the US, education is the responsibility of each of the 16 German states ( Bundesländer ), but there is a national conference of state education ministers ( Kultusministerkonferenz, KMK) that serves to coordinate educational practices at the national level.
Why does the German special education system fail?
Critics say that by separating special-needs students from the general population, the German special education system fails, in that it puts disabled students at a disadvantage and prevents their integration into daily life. This is especially true for students with physical disabilities.
How many grades are there in Germany?
Primary school in Germany has four grades (six in Berlin and Brandenburg), known as Klassen. Children attend primary school until the age of 10 or 12 and gradually acquire key competencies including reading, writing and arithmetic. All pupils will also begin to learn a foreign language (usually English or French) in grade 3; in six federal states, ...
How old do you have to be to go to school in Germany?
The German school system. Attending primary and secondary school is compulsory ( Schulpflicht) in Germany, from the age of six to 15, although many students continue attending school until age 18 or 19. While the structure of primary education in Germany is very simple, the separation of secondary education into multiple types ...
What is realschule in education?
Also leading towards vocational qualifications, the Realschule provides pupils with a more extensive general education. After six years (grades 5-10), pupils sit exams for their Realschulabschluss. With this qualification, students can complete their upper secondary education at a Gymnasium, if they wish to go to university, or pursue vocational qualifications in the Dual System, a Berufsfachschule or a Fachoberschule (see below).
What is an upper vocational school?
Upper vocational school ( Berufsoberschule) Some German states also have Berufsoberschulen, specialised vocational schools which enable anyone with a Realschulabschluss to gain the necessary qualifications to enter higher education.
What is the Hauptschule?
The Hauptschule provides students with a basic general education, geared towards completing a vocational qualification. Pupils usually attend for five years (grades 5-9) and graduate with a qualification known as the Erster allgemeinbildender Schulabschluss or Hauptschulabschluss, which is needed for admission into upper secondary education and training in either the “dual system” or a Berufsfachschule (see below).
What is the most intensive general education in Germany?
Covering grades 5 to 12 (13 in some federal states), Gymnasien provide the most intensified general education in Germany. At the age of 18 or 19, pupils sit their Allgemeine Hochschulereife ( Abitur or Abi) examination, a qualification that grants them a place at either a university ( Universität) or a university of applied science ( Fachhochschule). Students with high grades at Hauptschule or Realschule level can be admitted to Gymnasien to complete grades 11-13.
What is a Fachoberschule?
The Fachoberschule covers grades 11 and 12 and requires a pupil to have a Realschulabschluss. Students are equipped with general and specialised theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, leading to a qualification called a Fachhochschulreife, which guarantees entrance to all universities of applied science ( Fachhochschulen) and to some universities ( Universitäten ).
What is the school system in Germany?
The public school system is the centerpiece of Germany’s school system, despite private schools becoming more popular and almost doubling over the past two decades. Every German state ( Bundesland) is responsible for its education policy, from school types to school calendars and class subjects.
What is the German school system?
An Introduction to the German School System [2021 English Guide] The German school system, along with the higher education system, is known worldwide for its quality and accessibility, thanks to no tuition fees. Yet, the German education system is very complex and differs from those in other Western countries.
What grade is secondary school in Germany?
Secondary School In Germany (Weiterführende Schule) In most German states, secondary school starts with fifth grade, and this is when the differences in the German education system start. Every German state has its own school system and different names for specific schools.
What is the German word for a big cone?
This is a big day for kids, which is celebrated with the entire family. In German, it is called Einschulung, and tradition has it that kids get a big school cone ( Schultüte) filled with school stationery, sweets, small gifts, and sometimes money. Yvonne with her school cone on her first day of school.
How many boarding schools are there in Germany?
A boarding school in Germany is called Internat, and there are over 250 different boarding schools in Germany. They range from elite-type with a high academic focus and strict rules to sport or music boarding schools. Some of the Internate are still boys and girls only.
What is compulsory schooling in Germany?
It is design to allow every child proper and qualified education, regardless of the family’s financial situation, to mix social classes, and prevent religious or ideological parallel societies.
How many years of school is in a Gymnasium?
Traditionally the Gymnasium has nine grades (G9), leading to a total of 13 years in school. However, in the early 2000s, a school reform decided to cut one year (while keeping the same amount of learning matter) to end the school education after grade 12 (G-8).
What are the vocational schools in Germany?
In Germany you’ll find the following types of vocational education institutions, respectively: The Fachoberschule which involved 2 years of education and students receive a graduation certificate or Mittlerer Schulabschluss which leads to holding a Fachhochschulreife.
What is private secondary education in Germany?
The private secondary education system in Germany comprises: The Ersatzschulen, or alternative schools, which offer the same classes as public schools. The Ergänzungsschulen or complementary schools which provide extra classes compared to public schools.
What is the Sekundarstufe II?
The Sekundarstufe II is offered to pupils who are 15-16 or 18 and who have finished the Sekundarstufe I stage to help them qualify for the university or vocational education stages. It summarizes all the classes of the Sekundarstufe I which offered the basics to participating students.
What are the courses offered by the universities of applied sciences in Germany?
The universities of applied sciences in Germany offer courses such as agricultural economy, technology, business, design, and social work. However, training and education for civil servants which will serve the Federal public administration is provided by the Verwaltungsfachhochschulen.
What are the colleges of music and art in Germany?
The colleges of music and art in Germany offer classes to train future musicians and artists, including academics of music and art. Some institutions offer classes on all subjects, while others only teach specific subjects for certain art domains. In Germany, colleges of music and art include the following courses:
What is a Berufsoberschule?
The Berufsoberschule which offers 2-years of general and specific classes for primary vocational education and knowledge attained during prior attended classes, which leads to the student gaining vocational qualification or Abitur by attaining a good knowledge of the second foreign language.
What grade do you go to in primary school?
Primary School Grading System. After completing the classes during 1st grade, regardless of the level of education attained, pupils automatically enter the 2nd grade. Starting with the 2nd grade, pupils are graded depending on their knowledge level.
Why is German education so good?
The German education system is considered to be very good because it’s well-organised, and easily accessible to students at all levels. Germany is often found ranked in the top 10 countries for education.
How does education in Germany work?
Education in Germany is based on a class system where all students are divided into 3 different ‘tracks’:
What is compulsory education in Germany?
Primary and secondary education is compulsory in Germany, this covers students aged 6 to 15-years old.
How does the higher education system work in Germany?
After students in Germany finish their secondary education, they can choose to apply to a University.
What are the different types of German universities?
General universities teach courses that are very academic and research-focussed across a large range of topics.
What qualifications can you get in the German higher education system?
A Bachelor's degree is what students will go for after finishing their secondary education. German students will choose a specific subject they want to study over a total of six to eight semesters.
What languages do German universities study in?
There are more than 400 universities in Germany, some offer only German programmes and some offer only English programmes - and of course, there are some Universities, like CBS, that offer a mixture of both.
This Is How The German School System Works
Early Childhood Education in Germany
- What Is Considered Preschool Education in Germany? Early childhood education is optional education and care that children between 0-6 of age receive in the Federal Territory of Germany. Who’s Responsible for the German Preschool Education? Supervision of the German pre-school education is mainly the responsibility of the State Youth Welfare Office “Landesjugendämter” of …
Compulsory Education in Germany
- What Is Considered as Compulsory Education in Germany? All Germans are obliged to attend primary and secondary education, ever since they reach the age of 6, up until they complete a 9-year full-time schooling at Gymnasium,or 10 years of full-time years for other general education schools. If youngsters fail to attend full-time classes at the general or vocational education scho…
What Makes A Tertiary Education in Germany?
- German tertiary education in Germany provides higher education for qualifying individuals, who before all, have completed secondary education in Germany or abroad which entitles them to enter higher education studies.
Qualifications of The German Higher Education System
- Bachelor Degree – First German Higher Education Qualification
The first higher education qualification in Germany is the Bachelor degree. The standard period of study “Regelstudienzeit” in a Bachelor program is 6 semesters, or 3 full academic years. In Universities of Applied Sciences bachelor studies last 6-7 semesters, by also including the practi… - PhD Degree – Third German Higher Education Qualification
The third higher education qualification in Germany is the PHD degree. This is a program that is embraced by the most qualified students, and can be taken at German universities and equivalent institutions, in collaboration with non-university research institutes. There is no standardized per…
Admission Requirements of The German Higher Education Institutions
- Admission requirements for German Bachelor Degree: 1. Higher Education Entrance Qualification. To get admitted in any study course in any higher education institution in Germany, applicants must possess either “The Allgemeine Hochschulreife” commonly referred as “Abitur” or “Fachgebundene Hochschulreife”, or a foreign school-leaving certificate comparable to any of th…
What Is Considered Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in Germany?
- Continuing education in Germany is the education that is aimed at responding ever-changing demands of the labour market. This education type is provided by municipal and private institutions, churches, trade unions, chambers of industry and commerce, associations, political parties, businesses, public authorities, academies, family education centers, vocational schools, …
Do Schools Charge Fees in Germany?
Who Bears Responsibility For The Schools?
- Schools in Germany are not centrally organized, but are the responsibility of the regional ministries of education and culture in the 16 Länder. The range of subjects, curricula, certificates and transitions between the school types can be differently regulated in different Länder.
What Are The Main Topics in The Education Policy Debate?
- Digitization: Many schools in Germany still lack a fast internet connection, the necessary modern technology, and teachers who are keen to use new teaching methods. The Federal Government and Länder want to change this with the Digital Pact for Schools; its aim is to improve the standard of digital technology in schools. Equal opportunities: All children are supposed to have …
The German Education System Explained
Daycare in Germany
- Although it is not compulsory for them to attend, by law all children aged between one and five years are entitled to a place at a daycare facility. Despite efforts to increase availability, however, there are still not enough places to keep up with demand. It is worth registering your child as soon as possible to secure a place. Early years childcare is provided by a mixture of organisations suc…
Primary School in Germany
- Compulsory schooling starts in Germany on August 1 after a child’s sixth birthday, although it may be possible for your child to start midway through the school year. Primary school in Germany has four grades (six in Berlin and Brandenburg), known as Klassen. Children attend primary school until the age of 10 or 12 and gradually acquire key competencies including reading, writing and a…
Secondary Education in Germany
- Upon entering secondary education at age 10 (or 12), students are split into three different streams, which offer different qualifications and pathways to higher education(either academic or vocational). In principle, it is possible to move between streams, so that all students can attain any kind of qualification. Your child’s teacher will advise you as to which stream would be most …
How Does The German School System Work?
Is Schooling Free in Germany?
The German School Year Explained
The German School Day Explained
German Grading System in Secondary Schools
- The German grading system in secondary school relies on the following 6-mark number system: An exam or an entire grade gets passed with a 1-4. If the school certificate (Zeugnis) at the end of the school year shows two or more 5s or one 6, the student usually has to repeat the entire school year. Usually, a student can repeat a school year twice du...
German School System Facts
Final Thoughts