The German school system

Attending primary and secondary school is compulsory for young people between the ages of six and 15 in Germany. However, 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 of schools and qualifications can make it seem confusing to expats. This page provides an overview of the German school system. 

The German school system explained

Simply put, while all schoolchildren in Germany attend similar primary schools, German secondary schools are divided into three separate streams, based on factors like academic ability, self-confidence and ability to work independently. These public schools do not charge school fees.

There are three "types" of schools at secondary level:

• General secondary schools (Hauptschulen) prepare students for vocational training
• Secondary schools (Realschulen) prepare students for vocational higher education
• Academic secondary schools (Gymnasien) prepare students for university

There are, however, multiple pathways through the system, meaning that no qualification is necessarily off-limits to anyone.

Note that individual federal states have control over education policy, meaning that there are many regional variations in terms of school types and curriculums. What follows is a generalised overview of the school system in Germany.

Early childhood education 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. Sending your child to daycare is an ideal opportunity to allow them to socialise with other children and get used to attending school. 

Early years childcare in Germany is provided by a mixture of organisations such as churches, welfare associations, local authorities and parent associations. 

Primary school in Germany (Grundschule)

In Germany, compulsory schooling (Schulpflicht) starts 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 (most federal states) or 12 (Berlin and Brandenburg) 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, this starts at grade 1.

Children usually attend their local primary school, although in North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein parents are free to enroll their child in any primary school. There are approximately 15.500 primary schools in Germany, according to the German government.

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 suitable. In most federal states, however, the final decision rests with the parents.

General secondary school (Hauptschule)

The Hauptschule provides students with a basic general education, geared towards completing a vocational qualification. There are around 1.800 general secondary schools in Germany. 

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).

Students also have the opportunity to stay on for an extra year, and receive the Mittlerer Schulabschluss (Realschulabschluss) after grade 10, a slightly more advanced qualification that opens more pathways. Students with high grades at Hauptschule level can take an entrance exam in order to be admitted to a Gymnasium for their upper secondary education (grades 11 to 13).

Secondary school (Realschule)

Also leading towards vocational qualifications, the Realschule provides pupils with a more extensive general education. There are around 1.750 Realschulen in Germany.

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).

Academic secondary school (Gymnasium)

Covering grades 5 to 12 (13 in some federal states), Gymnasien provide the most intensified general education in Germany. It is also the most popular type of secondary school in Germany, with approximately 3.100 Gymnasien operating in the country. 

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.

Schools offering multiple qualifications (Gesamtschulen)

In the face of criticism of the purported divisions it creates, some federal states have abolished the streamed school system in favour of schools that combine two or three different models to offer multiple kinds of qualifications.

These types of schools are referred to by a vast array of different regional terms, including “Mittelschule”, “Regelschule” and “Sekundarschule” (for schools that combine Hauptschule and Realschule) and “Integrierte Gesamtschule”, “Oberschule”, “Stadtteilschule” and “Gemeinschaftschule” (for schools that combine all three models).

Gesamtschulen typically also offer full-day classes, unlike many schools which only offer half-day classes. There are around 2.100 Gesamtschulen in Germany. 

Vocational upper secondary education (Berufschulen)

Providing an alternative to the academic instruction given at the upper secondary level in Gymnasien, there are several institutions in the German school system that offer apprenticeships, vocational education and on-the-job training for pupils in grades 10-13:

Dual system (Duales System)

The “dual system” is a term used to refer to a system of training that lasts two, three or three and a half years, combining vocational education and training. Students divide their time between doing an apprenticeship at a workplace and studying at a vocational school (Berufsschule).

Although there are no formal prerequisites for admission, around a quarter of pupils have a Hauptschulabschluss and half have a Realschulabschluss.

Technical college (Berufsfachschule)

At a Berufsfachschule, students are introduced to one or several occupations over the course of one to three years. At the same time, they undertake part-time vocational education and training, which can lead to a qualification in a specific occupation.

Technical upper secondary school (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).

Vocational Gymnasium (Berufliches Gymnasium)

Alongside the general education provided at the Gymnasium, this specialised three-year course of education also provides career-oriented instruction. Like regular Gymnasium pupils, students graduate with an Abitur qualification.

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.

The school day

School starts quite early in Germany: students are normally expected to start lessons around 8am. However, they also finish early: around 1pm or 2pm in the afternoon. At higher school levels, students may finish later, but no later than around 4pm. 

Classes are typically 45 minutes each with a short break between most periods, and two longer breaks. 

When a child joins a German school, they become part of a fixed class with a lead teacher (Klassenlehrer). The class remains the same as it progresses up the school levels, except for certain subjects. The lead teacher usually sticks with the same class, as well. 

German school grades

German schools don't grade their students A to F, but instead a grade (Note) of 1 to 6 is given, with 1 being the best. Anything between 1 and 4 is considered a pass, and a 5 or a 6 is a fail. 

The school year in Germany

The German school year consists of two semesters and normally starts in mid- to late-August, running through until early June or early July, depending on the federal state. School holidays are staggered between the federal states, so the school term start and end dates typically shift every year.