The German education system is unclear, leaving many newcomers struggling to choose the right school for their children. This text provides a simplified explanation of the German education system and how to choose the right school for students.
In Germany, rules regarding the school system vary from state to state. This is because education in Germany is the responsibility of the ministries of education of the federal states, meaning that the federal states are responsible for amending the rules of their own education system.
Compulsory Education Age
After kindergarten, which is optional in Germany, compulsory school education begins. Compulsory school education laws vary from one German state to another, but this stage usually begins when a child turns six and ends when they turn eighteen. School education begins with the basic primary stage, known as the "Grundschule." In Germany, primary education usually ends in the fourth grade, with the exception of some states where it ends in the sixth grade, such as Berlin and Brandenburg. In the "Grundschule," children learn the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Some schools offer early language learning, such as English, Spanish, or French, as well as another subject known as "Sachkunde." In this subject, children learn basic grammar rules that include various knowledge areas, including geography and science. It is worth noting that primary schools in Germany are free and funded by taxes.
Who determines the appropriate secondary school for a student?
After completing this primary education stage, children are separated and transferred to secondary schools ("weiterführende Schule"). The criteria used to select secondary schools depend primarily on the children's results in primary school, their competence, and their learning abilities. Teachers provide suggestions to parents to help them choose the appropriate school for their children. In the primary stage, students are accompanied by a teacher for four years, allowing them to monitor their progress and help them accurately assess their abilities throughout primary school.
In Germany, there are four basic types of secondary schools:
Comprehensive (main) school Hauptschule
Middle (practical) school Realschule
Higher (secondary) school Gymnasium
Comprehensive (comprehensive) school Gesamtschule
Comprehensive (main) school (Hauptschule): Studies at this school continue until the ninth grade. At this school, students can obtain three different certificates. The first is the basic education certificate (Hauptschulabschluss), which is the regular certificate obtained at the end of this school. Students at this school can also, optionally, after the ninth grade, transfer to a specialized vocational school (Berufsfachschule), a preparatory year for a profession (Berufvorbereitungsjahr, abbreviated as BVJ), or to dual education (duall Bildung) at an institution. After this year, they can take an exam that allows them to obtain the qualifying basic education certificate. They can also optionally enroll in the tenth grade, transferring from basic school to middle school (Realschule), to obtain what is known as the "middle school certificate." Each federal state has its own laws and regulations regarding school certificates issued by basic schools.
Middle school (Realschule):
Studies continue until the tenth grade, and the certificate students receive at
the end of this stage is called the “middle school certificate.” After
obtaining this certificate, students have four options: either transferring to
a secondary school (Gymnasium), which of course depends on the student’s
results in middle school. They can also transfer to a specialized upper
secondary school (Fachhochschule), a specialized vocational school
(Berufvorbereitungsjahr), a dual education program (duall Bildung), or a basic
vocational school year (Berufgrundschuljahr), abbreviated as (BGJ). This means
that those who obtain a basic education certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) or a
middle school certificate (Mittelschulabschluss) cannot enroll in university.
Rather, they can begin vocational training or enroll in vocational schools.
Gymnasium: This school is designed for students with very good academic skills
and good grades. School hours in high schools are often longer than in other
schools, and the education is in-depth and broad, unlike other schools.
Furthermore, high schools allow students to learn at least two foreign
languages. Studies in this school continue until the twelfth or thirteenth
grade, depending on the state. At the end, students receive the Abitur (Higher
Secondary Education Certificate), which allows them to continue their studies
at German universities or higher institutes.
Gesamtschule: This school combines various types of supplementary schools, as students in comprehensive schools can obtain various school certificates. It offers the opportunity to learn in a general and comprehensive way, or to learn in a more in-depth and broad way, or to focus on a specific subject, according to the student's skills and interests. After the tenth grade, students can either enroll in a Gymnasium (Higher Secondary School) or enroll in a vocational school. Specialized Secondary School (Fachochscule): This school provides students with in-depth and broad vocational education, both practical and theoretical. Enrollment requirements for this school include a middle school diploma (Mittelschulabschluss), which is the equivalent of a specialized secondary school diploma. This diploma qualifies students for admission to specialized higher education institutions.
Vocational Secondary School (Berufsoberschule): This secondary school, through what is known as a "second chance education," provides students with a certificate that allows them to enroll in a higher education institution or university. The duration of study at this school is two years, and students ultimately receive a technical higher education diploma, a specialized higher education diploma, or a general higher education diploma. The admission requirement for this school is a vocational training certificate. In some states, it is possible to enroll in a preparatory class, i.e., the eleventh grade, at the vocational secondary school. Students who have obtained a middle school diploma can also enroll in this school.
A complex educational system, but! Perhaps the most important feature of the German education system is its constant motivation to learn. There are many students who need special educational support that they cannot receive in regular primary schools (Grundschule). Parents can enroll their children in support schools known as Förderschulen. In secondary schools, some students discontinue their studies before obtaining school certificates that would allow them to undertake vocational training or attend university. The German education system allows these individuals to continue their education later, even if they are older. Germany has night schools, which allow students to obtain the basic education certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) or even the Abitur. This, of course, allows them to continue their studies at higher education institutions or universities, thus improving their employment opportunities.