Elementary School

Children generally attend elementary school from 1st through 4th grade; in Berlin and Brandenburg, they attend through 6th grade. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the system of assigned elementary school districts no longer exists, so you have more freedom in choosing a school and can specifically consider factors such as after-school care.

Reliable after-school care is especially important for working parents. While binding minimum standards for staffing and qualifications generally apply only to after-school care programs, the types of care provided vary significantly from region to region. After-school care remains widespread in eastern Germany, Hamburg, and Bavaria. In many western German states, however, open all-day schools are becoming increasingly important. At the end of elementary school , parents receive a recommendation from the teachers regarding which type of secondary school seems appropriate for their child.

Secondary Schools

Secondary general education schools in Germany are traditionally part of a tiered school system. For a long time, lower secondary education comprised the Hauptschule, the Realschule, and the Gymnasium. Since German reunification, this structure has been further developed in many federal states and expanded to include additional types of schools, particularly the Gesamtschule.

In addition, the so-called two-way model is becoming increasingly prevalent. In addition to the Gymnasium, there are integrated school systems in which the Hauptschule, Realschule, and Gesamtschule tracks are combined and which often offer their own upper school. For your child, this means more flexibility after elementary school, as educational paths remain open for longer and decisions about degrees can be made later. This increases the chances of earning the appropriate high school diploma and being well-prepared for a skilled trade program or college.

Junior High School

The secondary school has a strong practical focus. A core subject is career education, supplemented by several vocational internships that give students early insights into various career fields.

Graduation usually takes place after the 9. or 10th grade with a secondary school diploma, which also certifies eligibility for vocational school. In North Rhine-Westphalia, attendance in 10th grade has been mandatory for several years. If students perform well, they can earn the Fachoberschulreife after 10th grade, which is equivalent to the Realschulabschluss. Alternatively, it is possible to switch to vocational education.

In some federal states, the Hauptschule was merged with other types of schools for organizational purposes. It has been part of the integrated secondary school system in Berlin since 2010.

The Secondary School

The Realschule is a type of general-education secondary school, and students typically graduate after 10th grade with the Mittlere Reife. This qualification opens up various paths, such as the transition to vocational training or—through further academic qualifications, such as the Fachoberschule—access to certain college programs.

As with Hauptschulen, a trend toward open all-day schools has also been observed at Realschulen in recent years. However, afternoon care is not automatically provided at all locations.

High School

The high school provides an in-depth general education and prepares students for college as well as for challenging career paths. Depending on the federal state, it leads to a high school diploma in eight years (G8) or nine years (G9). Admission may depend on recommendations from the elementary school, additional exams, or the decision of the receiving school.

In some federal states, parents may choose not to follow the elementary school’s recommendation. There are still a few single-sex high schools here and there. As a result of the reduction in school hours under the G8 reform, many high schools have transitioned to full-day schools.

Comprehensive School

The comprehensive school combines the educational programs of the Hauptschule, Realschule, and Gymnasium into a single school type. This keeps educational paths open for longer. After 10th grade, your child can either move on to upper secondary school and earn the Abitur or begin vocational training.

In many federal states, comprehensive schools were organizationally merged with Hauptschulen and Realschulen to form integrated secondary schools. Comprehensive schools are generally designed as full-day schools, so that supervision is usually provided until late afternoon, often until around 4:00 p.m.

Full-day schools

All-day schools are now found in many federal states and types of schools, including elementary schools, comprehensive schools, middle schools, Realschulen, Gymnasien, and integrated secondary schools. The programs range from homework help and remedial instruction to extracurricular clubs focused on culture, sports, and games.

Full-day schools are defined as institutions that

• that provide full-day programs in primary and secondary schools at least three days a week, with each program lasting at least seven hours,
• that offer lunch on all full-day school days and
• whose full-day programs are integrated with the curriculum and are overseen by the school administration.

This structure not only supports children academically, but also provides a reliable framework for families.