From Kita to Uni

The education system in Germany varies from state to state, although the basic
K-12 system is fairly uniform. As in the US, education is the responsibility of
each of the 16 German states (Bundesländer), but there is a national
conference of state education ministers (Kultusministerkonferenz, KMK) that
serves to coordinate educational practices at the national level. However, there
is still some variation in the school systems across Germany. (Also
see: Education in Germany.)

Secondary school students in Berlin on a field trip to the former

Hohenschönhausen Stasi (secret police) prison and interrogation center
in Berlin. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

General Overview

Compared to the United States, the German primary and secondary school
system is a rather complicated one in which there are sometimes as many as
five different kinds of secondary schools (usually starting at grade 5) and
various paths leading to academic higher education, advanced technical
training or a trade. For more about the types of schools in Germany see below.

In addition to Germany’s extensive public school system, there are also some
private and parochial schools, but far fewer than in the US and most other
countries. Among the private schools, Montessori, Waldorf, Jena and other
alternative education models are popular. But in all of Germany, a country of
82 million people, there are only about 2,500 private and parochial schools,
including boarding schools (Internate). There are also a good number of
international schools all across Germany, which can be a good option for
English-speaking expats. (See more about international schools below.)

Compulsory School Attendance

Part of the reason for the dearth of private or church schools is the German
conviction that public education is a vital element that contributes to a well-
educated citizenry and a sense of common purpose. Germany has a compulsory
school attendance law. The law requires school attendance (Schulpflicht), not
just instruction, from age 6 until age 15. This helps explain why homeschooling
is illegal in Germany. (See “Homeschooling verboten” for more.)
The German Educational Class System
Although most Germans claim to be against elitism and favoring any social
class, their entire educational system is basically a three-class system that
divides students into three different tracks: (1) Gymnasium for bright students
headed for college, (2) Realschule for the next step down, kids headed for
average or better white-collar positions, and (3) Hauptschule for the bottom
tier, generally aimed at the trades and blue-collar jobs. By the age of 10 most
pupils in Germany have been put on one of these three educational tracks. But
it has become easier to switch tracks, and this is now more common in
Germany than it used to be.

Efforts over the past several decades to reform this system, with its emphasis
on tracking, have largely been unsuccessful. Essentially the same tracking
system also exists in neighboring Austria and Switzerland, which also have
resisted educational reforms. Citizens of the German-speaking countries seem
to feel that the current system produces good results – despite a poor showing
in recent PISA rankings and other educational studies that indicate German
schools don’t always produce the best educated students.

The Gesamtschule Reform

In some states, usually governed by the SPD (Social Democratic Party), there
was an attempt to reform the system by creating a more inclusive kind of
secondary school, more like the American high school. Beginning in the late
1960s, the Gesamtschule (comprehensive school) was introduced as an
alternative to the traditional three-tiered secondary education system. Instead
of three different schools, there are three different tracks within one school.
Beginning in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, the
first Gesamtschulen appeared in West Berlin and a few other Länder, but soon
there was resistance from the conservative CDU (Christian Democratic Party),
teacher unions and parent groups, who felt that the comprehensive school was
inferior to the traditional system.

Although the original idea was to replace the old three-school system
(Gymnasium, Realschule, Hauptschule) with a single secondary school,
the Gesamtschule or Einheitsschule, in practice it has not worked out that way.
Rather than replacing the three-school system, the Gesamtschule has merely
been added to the traditional system. Some Gesamtschulen are
also Ganztagsschulen (all-day schools), with a class schedule that runs longer
than traditional schools, which usually only have classes until noon or 1:00
p.m.

The decade between 1972 and 1982 was supposed to be a trial period to see if
the Gesamtschule was superior or not. The verdict was mixed, and
the Gesamtschule now only exists in various forms in about ten of the 16
German states. In some German states, including Bavaria, Hamburg, Saxony,
Thuringia and others, the Hauptschule and Realschule have been combined to
create the Mittelschule (also known as Regelschule or Regionalschule) to create
a two-tiered system rather than three. Even in former East Germany, where the
“unified school” educated everyone to be good, socialist citizens,
the Gesamtschule has not been adopted uniformly. The good old
academic Gymnasium has endured in most of Germany to this day. In Austria
and Switzerland the Gesamtschule concept has never drawn any real support.

Special Education
As opposed to the US system of inclusion of students with special needs
whenever feasible, Germany also promotes tracking in that
area. Förderschulen or Sonderschulen are separate schools for students with
moderate to severe learning disabilities, blind or deaf students, or those with
physical disabilities. This practice, which puts some 430,000 German students
in special, separate schools, has been criticized for not meeting the 2008, EU-
ratified UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which calls
for a more inclusive, integrated education for disabled students. Critics say that
by separating special-needs students from the general population, the German
special education system fails, in that it puts disabled students at a
disadvantage and prevents their integration into daily life. This is especially
true for students with physical disabilities. Only in a few places in Germany are
some special-needs students integrated into regular schools.

The School Day in Germany

Traditionally, the German school day has started at 8:00 a.m. and finished at
1:00 or 2:00 p.m. – and that is often still the case. But in recent years, some
schools in Germany have started offering a full day of education
(Ganztagsschule). They offer study hours for homework, extracurricular
activities and a hot lunch at the cafeteria. Since most German schools never
had a cafeteria, this often requires new construction to provide them.

Class Schedule
German secondary schools have a class schedule that resembles a US college
schedule, with different classes offered each day. Some subjects are taught
three days per week, with others taught only twice a week. On Monday a typical
schedule might offer four 45-minute classes (and sometimes double 90-minute
classes) in (1) math, (2) history, (3) art and (4) English, while on Tuesday a
student might have five classes: (1) German, (2) religion, (3) calculus, (4)
French and (5) PE. There are also break periods, usually a short and a long
break (große Pause), during the school day. Most students eat lunch at home,
since schools usually have no cafeteria, and the school day ends fairly early.
Although there is some physical education, German schools are more academic
in nature. Competitive sporting events between schools are rare. Athletics is
usually done outside of school by belonging to a sports club.
For a long time in many parts of Germany the school week included Saturday.
In the 1980s schools in Baden-Württemberg still had classes every other
Saturday. In East Germany Saturday was a school day nationwide. Since the
early 1990s most German school students, including those in Baden-
Württemberg, have enjoyed a full weekend. Only a very few local schools still
have Saturday classes (Samstagsunterricht).

Now let’s look at the various types of schools in Germany.

Preschools in Germany
Surprisingly, in the land that invented the kindergarten, preschool education is
not part of the public education system. Most preschools or daycare centers for
young children in Germany are run by churches or other non-profit
organizations. The federal government does provide some funding to the
states, but despite new laws that “guarantee” at least half-day childcare for
children between the ages of one and three, there are not enough places
available. Efforts to increase the availability of childcare have been hindered by
a lack of funding, plus a lack of trained staff. Less than a third of three-year-
olds in Germany had access to daycare in 2012.

The German preschool system varies from state to state, but in general it works
this way:

 Kinderkrippe (literally, “crib” or “crèche”) – For ages eight weeks to three years.
 Kita (short for Kindertagesstätte (children’s daycare center) – For ages 3-6, open
from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or later.
 Kindergarten – For ages 3-6; half-day or full-day kindergarten.
 Hort or Schulhort – Provides after-school daycare for elementary school pupils.

Finding a place for your preschooler can be difficult, since there are also many
other parents trying to find a good Kita or kindergarten. The better facilities
tend to fill fast, so it is necessary to plan ahead. Finding a place for your child
often depends on where you live. Getting your child into a good facility near
where you live is considered a wonderful stroke of luck.

Elementary Schools in Germany

After preschool, German pupils attend primary school (Grundschule, “basic
school,” grades 1-4). Compulsory school attendance Schulpflicht starts in
September after a child has turned six. All students attend elementary school
from grade one to grade four in most states. Before beginning the fifth grade
(seventh in Berlin/Brandenburg), students and their parents must choose the
type of secondary school they will attend, in other words, which educational
track they will be on.
The majority of children attend a public elementary school in their
neighborhood. As in the US, schools in affluent areas tend to be better than
those in less-affluent areas. In bigger cities students “with a migratory
background” (as the Germans refer to immigrant Turks and other non-
Germans migrants) often lower the quality of education in schools with a high
percentage of foreign students. Efforts to combat this inequality have met with
limited success.

Secondary Schools in Germany

After completing their primary education (at 10 years of age, 12 in Berlin and
Brandenburg), children attend one of five types of secondary schools in
Germany. The five kinds of schools vary from state to state in Germany:

Hauptschule (HOWPT-shoo-luh, grades 5-9 or 5-10)

The Hauptschule is generally considered the least demanding of the five types
of secondary school, but it may be very appropriate for students who wish to
enter the trades or go through an apprenticeship for certain types of industrial
employment. The Hauptschule prepares pupils for vocational education, and
most of the pupils work part-time as apprentices. Upon completion of the
final Hauptschulabschluss examination, after grade 9 or 10. They also have the
option of earning the more prestigious Realschulabschluss after grade 10. With
that, the next step is often a Berufsschule, an advanced technical/vocational
school with a two-year course of apprenticeship and study.

Realschule (ray-ALL-shoo-luh, grades 5-10)

This is the most popular type of secondary school in Germany. About 40
percent of German pupils attend this kind of school. The Realschule may be a
step below the Gymnasium (more below), but it can be a very good school, with
academic standards that usually exceed those of a typical high school in the US.
For instance, Realschule students must study at least one foreign language
(usually English or French) for a minimum of five years. (In Gymnasium a
second foreign language is required.) Graduates earn
a Realschulabschluss diploma. In some communities a Realschule and a
Gymnasium may share the same building, with a common library, and other
common facilites.

Mittelschule (MIT-tel-shoo-luh, grades 5-10)

Only some German states have this type of intermediate school (grades 6-10)
that combines the Hauptschule and Realschule tracks.

Gymnasium (ghim-NAH-zee-uhm, grades 5-12 or 5-13)

The German Gymnasium is an academic secondary school that prepares pupils
for a university education. It begins with the fifth grade (seventh in
Berlin/Brandenburg). After grade 12 or 13 (depending on the state), students
earn a diploma called das Abitur by passing an oral and written examination.
The Gymnasium has a long history, dating back to 1528 in Saxony.
Traditionally there was a heavy emphasis on the study of Latin and Greek, but
modern languages are favored today. Until the 1970s there were
separate Gymnasien for boys and girls. Nowadays they are co-ed. The
Gymnasium curriculum is highly academic, with two foreign languages
required, plus higher math and science courses. Students also have the option
of taking more advanced “honors” courses (Leistungskurse).

Any student with an “Abi” diploma from a Gymnasium must be admitted to a

German university, but there are no guarantees concerning the field of study.
Popular fields such a law and medicine are very competitive. Students often
have to choose a second or third choice for their major, or have to enroll in a
more distant university than they might prefer.

Gesamtschule (guh-SAHMT-shoo-luh, grades 5-12 or 5-13)

Only some German states have this kind of school, which combines the three
school types into a comprehensive school that is similar to an American high
school. (See the more detailed information above.)

Sportschule
Although German public schools tend to be mostly academic, with only some
physical education or athletics, there are sports schools in some locations.
A Sportschule has academic courses, but puts much more emphasis on a
particular sport or range of sports, including swimming, soccer, skiing, and
other sports. Prospective students need to apply and demonstrate ability in the
sport they want to train for. See Sportschulen: Sports Schools in Germany for
more information.

Even after parents have decided which school type they prefer, there remains
another choice, at least in larger communities. In a typical city of even average
size, there may be a choice of five or more Gymnasien or Realschulen in the
area. Unlike in the US, students are not zoned to a school in their
neighborhood or district. Students and their parents have a choice of any
school that will accept the student.

Some US vs Germany School Differences

The Grading System

The German grading scale runs from 1 to 6, with one being the best grade (A)
and six the worst (F). Poor grades in several subjects can result in a student
having to repeat an entire school year.
Class Schedule
A German class schedule is not the same every day. More like a college
schedule, with some classes three times a week, while others are only two days
a week.
School Days
German students attend school for 187-190 days in an academic year,
depending on the state. The school year in the US lasts 180 days. German
students only get a six-week summer vacation, but they have more frequent
vacation breaks during the school year. In recent years, some US school
districts have adopted a similar schedule, with more frequent breaks.
School Vacation Dates
In order to avoid massive traffic jams, German schools in the 16 states have a
staggered vacation (Ferien) schedule that rotates each year. One year schools in
Berlin may begin their summer vacation in June, while those in Bavaria begin
in July. There is even a website where you can find a state-by-
state Schulferien guide for the next several years.
No Substitute Teachers
If a teacher is absent, there is no class that day, or the class is taught by a
colleague who has a free period. Substitutes (Ersatzlehrer) are only hired for
lengthy absences.
School Trips
School trips are often more ambitious and more extensive than in the US. A
typical English class in Germany might have an annual trip by bus to London
with their teachers for a week or ten days, staying in youth hostels.
No Hall Passes, No Study Hall
If students have a free period, they are free to do whatever they want to during
that time. There are usually no study halls (except in a Ganztagsschule) or hall
passes. German secondary pupils are not treated like babies. They are expected
to be responsible.
Klassenlehrer
Beginning in the fifth grade in a Gymnasium (seventh for other school types),
students are grouped into “homerooms” with a particular
teacher Klassenlehrer. They stay together for the rest of their school years.
No School Bus
Although there may be school buses in some rural areas, in most German cities
and towns, pupils bike, walk or use public transportation to get to and from
school.

Other Educational Options

Berufsschule
The Berufsschule (vocational school, technical school) is not part of the normal
German public school system, but is financed and supervised by the federal
government in conjunction with industrial groups (chambers of
commerce/trade) and trade unions. As part of a concept known as “duale
Berufsbildung” (dual vocational education), in which businesses and schools
work together, a Berufsschule combines academic study with an
apprenticeship.

In order to attend a Berufsschule, which usually offers a two- or three-year

course of study, a prospective student must first apply for an apprenticeship
(Ausbildungsplatz) with an employer. Once accepted, the employer registers
the student at a Berufsschule in a specific program that follows a designated
apprenticeship plan (Ausbildungsplan) designed by experts for the employer
and the trade union. A typical workweek for an apprentice includes three days
on the job with a teacher/trainer (Ausbilder) and two days at school for
academic studies.

Successful tech school graduates have to pass both a theoretical and a practical
exam before being certified in a certain trade or industrial field. With the
increasing sophistication of manufacturing and other fields, Germany’s
technical schools help fill an educational gap in a way that the US and other
nations could learn from. Austria and Switzerland also have their own dual
education vocational programs.

Educational Options for Expatriates

The public education system, including higher education, is available to

everyone living in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, including English-
speaking expatriates, pretty much free of cost. Ideally the children of expats
attend local public schools and become fully integrated in the country’s
language and culture. But of course, things are rarely that uncomplicated.

International Schools
The choice of a school for expat children will be influenced by several factors:
the age of the children, the length of the expat assignment, affordability
(tuition, etc.), the school assortment in your location, and several other
considerations. If there is an international school in your area, you may have to
consider that option as well. Keep in mind that you may need to provide
an official translation of a diploma, certificate, or school transcript.

A classroom at the Berlin Metropolitan School (BMS), located in central

Berlin. BMS is a private K-12 school that charges tuition on a sliding scale
based on family income. See more below. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

Some international schools, including the K-through-12 John F. Kennedy

School in Berlin, are part of the public school system, but in most cases such
schools are private and charge tuition. They usually offer the International
Baccalaureate (IB) rather than the standard German Abitur or the
Austrian/Swiss Matura diploma. The big advantage (or disadvantage,
depending on how you view it) is that most international schools offer English-
language instruction. Large cities such as Berlin, Vienna or Zurich each offer a
choice of several international schools, but they are also found in medium-
sized towns. In Bonn, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin and other cities there are IB
schools that are part of the public school system, but admittance is usually very
limited and highly competitive.

Even though it is a public school, admission to Berlin’s John F. Kennedy

School, with 1700 American, German and other students, is also very
competitive. From the school’s website: “All admissions to the John F. Kennedy
School are probationary. For grades K through 6 the period of probation is one
year from the date of admission. For students in grades 7 through 13, the
period of probation is half a year or one semester from the date of admission.”

Another international school in Berlin is the Berlin Metropolitan School.

Unlike JFK, the Berlin Metropolitan School (BMS) is a private school that
charges monthly tuition. BMS is a certified IB World School, certified
Cambridge Exam Center, a state-recognized substitute school as certified by
the Berlin Senate for grades 1 to 10, as well as a supplementary school for
grades 11 and 12. The school has 1,000 students from 52 countries, and an
international team of more than 200 dedicated staff. The Berlin Metropolitan
School is an all-day school offering students from kindergarten through 12th
grade the opportunity to complete a modern education, culminating in an
internationally recognized diploma or a normal German Abitur. Income-
adjusted tuition in the 2019-2020 school year ranged from €270 to €1199 per
month, depending on the student’s grade level and the family’s gross annual
income. The school provides textbooks and other educational materials for an
annual “Media Fee.” Besides these and other fees, there is also a one-time, non-
refundable admission charge per child (with a discount for additional siblings).

Higher Education in Germany

Traditionally, university attendance in Germany has been tuition free. That is

such an embedded German tradition, that when seven states (between 2004
and 2007) introduced very modest tuition fees (Studiengebühren) of 500
euros, or about $560 per semester, there were mass protests. By 2013 only
Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) still had university tuition fees. Then Bavaria
dropped them, and Lower Saxony, the last holdout, cancelled its tuition fees in
2015.
 So a German university education continues to be tuition free. (Non-
German exchange students may have to pay fees for some programs.)
Students usually have to pay only for textbooks, certain administrative
fees, and for room and board. However, most states continue to assess
a so-called Semesterbeitrag (semester fee) that ranges from about 50
to 300 euros. In some states if a student’s studies exceed four
semesters, there is a special tuition charge of 500 to 800 euros per
each additional semester. Tuition policies in Germany depend in large
measure on which political party (or p

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