The German school system
If your children are six years old or older, they must attend school. School attendance is compulsory in Germany. The vast majority of schools in Germany are state-run, which means your children can attend them free of charge. Of course, there are also private and international schools, but these charge tuition fees. Homeschooling is only permitted in exceptional cases, such as when children are unable to attend school for an extended period due to illness. As parents, you will receive a letter from the relevant school authority (Schulamt) with information about the exact dates and registration procedures. You can also obtain information about compulsory schooling from the responsible Ministry of Education (Schulministerium).
The different federal states (Länder) are responsible for education policy in Germany. This is why the most effective way to find a suitable school for your child is to consult the websites of the ministries of education of the respective Länder. These websites usually allow you to filter by region, type of school, and international orientation, for example. On the individual school websites, you will find additional information such as teaching specializations, full-day programs, and enrollment procedures.
School search
Websites for Searching Schools by Federal State (Land)
Depending on the region where you and your family will settle, you will encounter slightly different school systems. For example, children do not always learn the same things from one federal state (Land) to another and sometimes use different textbooks as well.
Good to know
Toutefois, la comparabilité des habilitations et des diplômes au sein de l’Allemagne est garantie au-delà des frontières des Länder. C’est bon à savoir si vous déménagez pour des raisons professionnelles et que vous changez de Land.
Depending on the federal state (Land), there may also be different types of schools. Overall, the following structure applies throughout Germany:
Grundschule (école primaire)
For children aged 6, schooling generally begins at "Grundschule" (primary school). Children attend primary school from first to fourth grade. In the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg, primary school continues until the sixth grade. Depending on the level of the child in primary school, parents can decide, in consultation with the teachers, which type of school their child will attend starting from the fifth (or seventh) grade. Secondary schools (weiterführende Schulen) are generally divided as follows:
- « Grundschule » (école primaire) : classes 1 à 4/6
- « Gesamtschule » ou « Gemeinschaftsschule » (école polyvalente) : classes 5/7-9/10 à 12/13
- « Gymnasium » (collège, lycée) : classes 5/7 à 12/13
Gesamtschule / Gemeinschaftsschule (école polyvalente)
Students can earn, depending on their results and the length of their studies, the first general education diploma "ESA" (Hauptschulabschluss), the secondary school leaving certificate "MSA" (Realschulabschluss, Mittlere Reife), the professional baccalaureate (Fachhochschulreife), or the general baccalaureate (Allgemeine Hochschulreife, Abitur). In some federal states, these schools have specific names such as "Mittelschule", "Sekundarschule", "Oberschule", etc., but they all operate in a similar way. Some federal states still have "Hauptschule" and "Realschule" schools.
After obtaining one of the secondary school diplomas from the first stage of education (Sekundarstufe I), it is possible either to continue attending a general education school to obtain the Abitur (general baccalaureate), for example, or to pursue a vocational education. vocational training which may be purely academic or work-linked.
Full-time compulsory schooling lasts 9 to 10 years (depending on the federal state), and part-time compulsory schooling lasts 2 to 3 years or until the age of 18. Part-time compulsory schooling is fulfilled when students, after attending a general education school (full-time school), for example, pursue vocational training that includes attending a vocational school.(Dual education system).
Gymnasium (high school)
At the end of the twelfth or thirteenth grade (depending on the federal state), students who pass the exam can obtain their general baccalaureate (Abitur) or professional baccalaureate (Fachabitur). This qualification then allows them to study at a university or a specialized higher education institution. However, graduates from high schools can also choose to pursue a vocational training program. professional trainingation professionnelle and directly gain practical experience.
Schooling of Children and Young People Newly Arrived in Germany
Are your children already of school age when you arrive in Germany? You’re probably wondering how to enroll them in school. The relevant school administration, in cooperation with the "Schulbehörde" (Education Department), will decide on how to organize your children's schooling. In general, newly arrived children who are not yet able to follow classes continuously due to their lack of proficiency in the German language have the opportunity to participate in a trial course. The goal is to allow children to integrate and start a regular school education as quickly as possible.
How to recognise a good schoolNews
In general, you can freely choose which school in the city your child will attend. It’s a good idea to explore several schools. You can recognize a good school by the fact that it offers, in addition to quality teaching, extracurricular activities such as theater performances, sports, music and language workgroups, or even field trips. The school should also involve parents in school activities. So, don’t just ask if there’s space available—make sure to inquire about the extracurricular activities as well. If your children are not yet fully proficient in German, ensure that the school offers German language courses. These are usually called "Deutsch als Fremdsprache" (German as a foreign language). Teachers will make sure that your child understands everything being said in class and does not have to worry about receiving poor grades.