School types in Germany - an overview

Forms of school in Germany is a national issue. Because school types and educational goals differ from state to state. We have summarized the types of schools for you.

School forms in Germany

The German school system is divided into three levels. The primary, lower secondary and upper secondary level.

• The primary level includes school years 1 to 4. Secondary level I includes classes 5 to 10. Secondary level II includes classes 11 to 13.
• A distinction is made between general education and vocational schools according to school levels.
• The general schools are divided into elementary school (1st-4th school year), secondary school (5th-9th school year), junior high school (5th-10th school year), comprehensive school (5th-10th or 13th school year). and high school (5th-13th school year).
• At least nine years of attendance at a general education school is compulsory in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
• The vocational school system includes, for example, vocational school, vocational school, technical high school, technical high school and technical school.
• A differentiated system of special schools is available for disabled children and adolescents.
• Schools in Germany can be public, i.e. public or private - for example church sponsorship.
• Due to the cultural sovereignty of the federal states, the school system in Germany is the responsibility of the federal states, limited by the supervision of the state over the entire school system and parental rights. Parental rights guarantee legal guardians the choice between different educational paths.

School types: The primary and secondary levels

The first four primary school classes are spent by your children in primary school. Then the first secondary school is chosen. However, this is also not regulated in all federal states.

• In Berlin and Brandenburg, the primary level is divided into six school years.
• In some places there is the possibility to have your child attend an orientation level that is independent of school type. This includes school classes five and six.
• In the primary school, the class teaching principle is in the foreground. This means that a teacher teaches almost all subjects.
• Lately there has been a change in the primary level. In some places, this is replaced by a full half-day school.
• Due to the different learning success and the ability of your child to learn, your child will be transferred to a secondary school, secondary school, comprehensive school or a high school. That is the orientation level.
• The lower secondary level concludes with the main or secondary school qualification.
• The upper secondary level is referred to as upper secondary level. This also includes the upper level of the vocational high school.
• The vocational training system includes dual training on the one hand, and the vocational preparation year, the vocational school and the technical college on the other.
• Your child's choice of career decides which type of school your child will attend after secondary school.

Special areas of the German school system

In addition to the regular school types, there are other types of schools in Germany for special areas. This includes:

• Special schools, such as general education schools
• Schools for those with educational difficulties
• School for the hearing impaired
• School for individual coping with life
• School for the blind and visually impaired
• School for the sick
• Vocational special school
• Sprachheilschule

In our next practical tip, you will learn how the school system works in the USA.