43Expats moving to the country must be aware of the education system and the different types of schools which children can be enrolled in. Once a student enters secondary school, there are five different school types and these will dictate the higher education opportunities.
The government plays a small role in providing the education in the country and the school’s responsibility is mainly with the individual states. Therefore, parents will find that there is a difference in the curriculum, teaching style and facilities within the schools.
Children will study the academic subjects Maths, Science, Geography, History and Languages as well as be having the opportunity to study other vocational disciplines. There is now an emphasis on the academic subjects in the schools with creative subjects outside of the main curriculum. Students will also get the opportunity to decide if they want to follow an academic or a non-academic route at the end of primary school.
Compulsory Education
Education in the country is compulsory for all children aged six to 15 years old, although some students carry on with their education until the age of 18.
The schools in Germany are run by the state which is free, however, there is fee paying private and international schools available for parents who want to send their children to one of those.
In addition to this, the general education policy is set by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with each federal state having their own education programme and standards which mean that the students learn different across the country.
Students are tested on a regular basis and will receive two reports in the year which will give them a grade of 1-6. When the child has gone to secondary school if the student does not achieve the required grade in more than two classes they will be required to repeat the whole of the year.
The School Year
School in Germany starts in Mid-August/September and ends in the beginning of July. You must check this with the school directly as this can vary from the state you are residing in. The schools holidays are similar to those in the United Kingdom with six weeks in the summer, two weeks in the autumn, two weeks at Christmas, a week in Easter and various state and religious holidays. You are unable to take children out of school during the term and parents should be aware that if this is done without permission they will be fined.
The school calendar for private schools will have their own
The Education system
Nursery and pre-school is optional, but primary school and secondary school are compulsory in the German education system.
Pre-School/Nursery
Children who are under the age of three can attend nursery and those with children who are aged between three and six may send their child to a pre-school. Morning sessions, a whole day, evening and weekend sessions are available in some places for children to attend.
The nurseries and pre-schools can be private, public or church run with some being free and with others charging fees which is usually based on how much income the parents earn. It is advised that your child is put down on a waiting list as soon as possible as they may not be able to get a place straight away.
Primary School
Children from the age of six to twelve attend primary school and they are able to start in the autumn term in the year that the child turns six. However, if the application has not been sent, there is a cut off date to determine if they can start school.
On the first day of primary school, the tradition in Germany is that a child brings a Schultute which is a decorative parcel filled with sweets and presents.
Primary education has four grades (1-4), although in some German regions the school continues until year 6. Students will be tested at the end of the second year so that they achieve a certain standard and may need to repeat the year if they fail to do so.
Once the primary school has ended, the teachers will then again assess abilities and interests then advise parents on which secondary school would be best for the child. Although, parents usually decide the secondary school themselves
Secondary School
There are five types of schools which make up the secondary education system in the country. This is determined generally on the basis of the student’s academic performances, teachers recommendation and a parents preference.
- Gymnasium: A secondary school which helps prepare students for tertiary education and finishes with final examinations after grade 12 or 13. Most students study here between the ages of 10 and 18 where they are able to study a broad range of subjects including different languages
- Realschule: This school offers a much more broad education for intermediate students. It offers a range of vocational subjects in addition to the traditional academic courses. After grade 10 a final assessment will be taken place. It can offer a high academic standard and there is a range of subjects which are taught.
- Hauptschule: A school which offers vocational education with a final examination taking place after grade 9 or 10 and is for less academic students. It is the least demanding school but it appropriate for students who want to enter a trade or apprenticeship
- Gesamtschule: This secondary school combines academic courses with the vocational ones allowing students to transfer to Realschule or Hauptschile in grade 10
- Sonderschulen: Another school which prepares students for Realschule or Hauptschile
Local and International Schools
The majority of the children in the country do attend local schools which are free, however, some foreign families may want to send their child to an international school which will make it easy for them to adapt and be able to continue their education in the same language and curriculum.
Berlin and Munich are known to have many international schools which cater for students who have different nationalities.
As well as this, international schools have a high standard of learning, small class sizes and also extracurricular activities for children to take part in.
Expats should expect to pay at least EUR 18,000 per year on tuition fees in an international school.
Home-Schooling
Home-Schooling in Germany is illegal and if you take your child out of the education system you will be fined.
Tertiary Education
Students who want to apply to go to university will be expected to have passed their Abitur examinations following from their Gymnasium education. For those students who have attended Realschule and have passed the Master Craftsman Diploma are also legible to apply for university courses.
Students who do not wish to attend university will be required to go on an apprenticeship which will allow them to do in service training at various companies.