The Germans educational system is referred to as a Bildungsystem. In my last post, I touched a bit upon the German child care system which is considered the first level or foundation of the educational system. Today, I’d like to concentration on the local school system. It is important to note that the federal states, known as Bundeländer are mainly responsible for the governing and legislating of the local school system. This means the school system in Bremen or Berlin may be structured differently than in Hamburg, Düsseldorf or Köln (List other cities?). Here in Bremen, the education system falls under the responsibility of the Die Senator*in für Kinder und Bildung, which oversees both the daycare and school systems.

At the end of every summer, our team of consultants throughout Germany are working with families to find school spots for the upcoming school year.  Many of our clients have recently arrived in the country or have been transferred to a new division within their current firm and accordingly to a new city. As I have mentioned in Germany, school attendance is mandatory. You may hear words like schulpflicht or verpflichtet. This means once a child is registered in Germany, their information will be forwarded authorities and they must attend school.

The school structure is broken down into elementary school, Grundschule, followed by secondary school. Based on aptitude and skills, children can then apply for a vocational educational- and training Program, Ausbuilding, or to attend a university.

Children are required to go to school within the year they turn 6 or 7 based on the child’s date of birth. These children will attend elementary or primary school, which is grades or years 1 to 4. Students are typically between the ages of 6 to 10 years old. The academic focus will typically be in subjects such as German, mathematics, and general studies. Students are regularly assessed through exams, and the transition between school types often depends on performance. During the fourth grade, teachers will provide a recommendation for each student regarding the secondary school track.

Primary school students, attending a public German school, would be zoned to a local school based on the address registration. The format of a school may also vary. Many children attend a school that is primarily from the hours of 8:00am to 12:30pm. Here students would not eat lunch at school and there are no school-related activities in the afternoon. This would be referred to as a Halbtagsschule. Many familys do still need afternoon childcare during the elementary school years. Many cities offer an additional program for afterschool care which will include lunch, allotted time for homework as well as an afternoon activities. This program is typically referred to as a Hort.

Some primary schools do offer a full school day from 8:00am to 3:00 or 4:00pm. These schools are known as a Ganztagsschule. Students here typically participate in the same type of classes as their counterparts in a Halbtagsschule, eat lunch at school, have more breaks, finalize homework during the school day in what is know as Übungszeit and participate in group activites often reffered to as anAktiengesellschaft (AG).

Secondary Schools are also referred to as weiterführende Schulen. At this level, there will again be difference between the tiers and structure based on the federal state. The overall school concepts are focused on the division between students, who will at the end of their schooling go on to learn a vocational trade and those, who will go on to study at a university level.

For those who likely participate in a trade program, there are a few differences in the school structure. Some students may attend a Hauptschule. These students are aged 10 to 16 years old in the grades 5 to 9. This format provides more vocational training with a focus on practical skills, leading to vocational schools or apprenticeships. In other cities, the school for some students may be referred to as a Realschule. Here students are between the ages of 10 to 16 years old and in grades 5 to 10. This school offers a broader educational program with an emphasis on both practical skills and academic subjects, allowing for vocational training or entry into higher education. Attendees do typically, after graduation from secondary school, go on to participate in a vocational education program (Ausbuilding).

Another form of secondary school may be referred to as Oberschule or Gesamtschule. These comprehensive schools combine elements of Hauptschule, Realschule, and Gymnasium and allow students to pursue different educational paths within the same institution. Students are aged 10 to 16years old and attend grades 5 to 9. During the tenth grade, it is typically decided if a student would likely move forward with a training program or transfer into a Gymnasium to complete further studies.

Students who have demonstrated a certain level of academic aptitude may attend a Gymnasium. The students are aged 10 to 18 years old and the school offers grades 5 to 12 or 13, culminating in the Abitur, which qualifies students for university. This school structure includes a rigorous academic curriculum with an emphasis on languages, sciences, and humanities.

In addition to the state funded school, there are a number of private school options. Many of our clients wish to register their children at an International School so that they can easily transition into a new school when the family departs Germany. There are also religious affiliated schools as well as Waldorf schools.

But how does this help me know what the best option for my child is?

Our Local Worldwide Relocation team will connect with you to better understand the needs of your family and child(ren).

We recently worked with a client in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, he is a citizen of a Southeastern Europe country (Non-EU). His wife and kids are citizens of another EU country and they were relocating to Germany. For this family, it was important for the kids to be well integrated into German-life and have a traditional German childhood. The children had no prior German language skills. We worked with the local school district to register both kids in elementary school. We accompanied the family to visit two schools in the local district and coordinate an application to the preferred school. The two kids will also participate in a school sponsored integration course to strength their language skills. In some states, children may be required to attend an integration or language course, before they are assigned to a specific school and class.

Last summer, we registered a child here in Bremen at a local school and at the same time were looking for private school options. In the end, we were able to secure a spot at a Waldorf school outside of the city. The son had previously attended an International School, could speak some German and had lived both in Europe and abroad. For this family, it was really important that the child attend a school where the primary language was German, but at the same time, the family wanted a private educational institution. A year later the family confirmed that they are very happy at the Waldorf school and have now enrolled the younger sibling in the affiliated Kindergarten.

In Düsseldorf, we were working with a family who knew they had a 2-year assignment and would likely either return home or be transferred to a non-German speaking country at the end of the assisgnement. For this family, it was essential for their children to attend an International School where the level of education would allow one of the children to easily transition into another school and the other child to apply for university in the following year.

Not sure what is right fit for you and your family?

Let us talk you through the process in your destination, what options are available and which one might make the most sense for your family.

Contact us today and let us simplify the school application process for your family!