In Germany children at the age of three years can go to the “Kindergarten”.
After Kindergarten, at the age of six or seven years, they go to the “Grundschule”. This takes four years.
Depending on school grades, the “Grundschule” is followed by “Hauptschule”, “Realschule” or “Gymnasium”.
The “Gymnasium” takes nine years. The last two years are called the “Abitur” which end up in examinations. If you pass the “Abitur”, you have the possibility to visit universities.
The “Realschule” lasts for six years. The graduation is called “Mittlere Reife”. Here you have the possibility whether to make a professional education, to visit a vocational school or to make the “Abitur” by hindsight.
The “Hauptschule” takes only five years and most of the pupils start an apprenticeship afterwards. But you also have the possibility to visit further studying schools.
Some facts:
- One lesson lasts for 45 minutes.
- The scale of grades range from 1 to 6. The best grade is 1.
Take a look at the chart to get an overview of the German school system
(it shows only the main structures):
5 Comments
Very interesting. I was wondering how the german school works because it is very different from the standards that we have in Brazil.
Hi Jan, just one little note to your scheme: if you leave the ‘Gymnasium’ you have all options (Ausbildung, Fachhochschule and Universität) and not only university…
Any thoughts on the “Schuldurchlässigkeit” or lack thereof between schools? As an American, the natural response seems to be to balk at the thought of restricting a child’s path at such an early age. Are Germans generally for or against more durchlässigkeit between schools?
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. really the educational system of Germany is great.
I enjoy reading your post, thank you very much.