Compulsory school attendance and costs
In Germany it is compulsory to attend school: children must attend school for 9 years. In some federal states, compulsory school attendance also applies to children whose residence status is unclear. A school year begins in August or September and continues until June or July, depending on state. Children usually attend state-funded schools. Nobody pays school fees. There are small charges for copies, materials or outings. In private schools you have to pay school fees.
© Goethe-Institut
School types
There are different types of school. All children attend elementary/primary school from the age of 6 or 7. After 4 years the children go to a secondary school. There is quite a variety of secondary schools. The primary school will often advise as to which school your child could attend when he/she is ready to transfer. There is theHauptschule(vocational secondary school; 5-9th grade), at this school you can do aHauptschulabschlussfinal school certificate, or one which qualifies you to continue your education. In theHauptschulethere are also practical subjects such as wood/metalwork or technical drawing. A higher level of school than this is theRealschule(intermediate secondary, 5-10th grade), at this school you do theRealschulabschluss(secondary school diploma). After theHauptschuleorRealschuleyou can learn a profession. Then there is theGymnasium(grammar school; up to 12th grade). Here you can do theAbitur, which then qualifies you to study at university. At aGymnasiumyou often learn 2 or 3 foreign languages, such as English and French.
In some states they have theGesamtschule(comprehensive school). This combines theHauptschule,RealschuleandGymnasiumin a single building. If a child wants to move schools, for instance from theHauptschuleto theRealschule, it is easier. It is possible to change if the schools are separate as well, but it isn’t as straightforward. Every state also has bilingual schools, special schools, specialist academies and vocational colleges.
School hours
In most schools, lessons finish at midday or in the early afternoon (2 or 3pm). After that children can go to the after-school childcare centre. They can stay there for the afternoon. They will be fed and helped with their homework. But you have to pay for the after-school daycare centre. All-day schools are also on the increase. Children spend the whole day in these schools, usually until 4 or 5pm.
School subjects
The children learn many subjects in school. This includes PE lessons. At primary school they often are not taught in gender groups. So boys and girls do PE together. There are often swimming lessons as well. Most schools have Christian religion lessons. But you can opt out of religious studies, and attending the lessons is not mandatory. Ethics is offered as an alternative, and in some schools there is tuition in other religions (for instance Islam or Judaism).
© Goethe-Institut
Out-of-school activities
School students usually go on a class trip once a year. It is usually 3-5 days. The class travels to a different city or location together. There are also field days. The children go on an excursion together. Doing this enables them to learn about history, culture and nature. The schools also stage school festivals. These feature play performances or concerts by pupils for instance.
Parents
Every school has parent representatives – i.e. parents who work together with the school. There are parents’ evenings several times a year. The parents are given important information by the teachers at these evenings, and have an opportunity to get to know each other. They can also make an appointment with a specific teacher for a private meeting. This is a parent consultation. This can be done if there are problems in school. Or maybe the parents want to find out how the child is doing at school.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I have to register my child at a school?
When does my child have to go to school?
Can I teach my children at home?
How long is a school day?
My child would like to go to university. Which school should he/she attend?
We are new to Germany and my child does not speak German. Can he/she attend a German school?
Can I choose a school?
Can my child travel to school on the school bus?
Further questions? Write us via the contact form. We will forward your questions anonymously to the advisors of the youth migration services.
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