Because of the confusion surrounding the school system in Germany, many immigrants have struggled to choose the right school for their kids. Germany requires compulsory schooling for all children. The federal states are in charge of schooling. This item offers a brief description of the German educational system and how pupils are assigned to the best school.
School system in Germany
Germany’s educational laws vary from state to state, but generally speaking, schools there frequently follow the following:
- Kindergarten, which is optional
- Basic stage (Grundschule)
The student is then assessed, and based on the assessment’s findings, the best stage for him to move on to is selected.
- Basic school (Hauptschule)
- Intermediate School
- Secondary school (Gymnasium)
- The comprehensive school (Gesamtschule).
School system in Germany is well-known around the world. Learn more about the German educational system here.
What is the compulsory age for the school system in Germany?
In Germany, kindergarten is an “optional” period before the start of obligatory schooling. The regulations governing obligatory schooling vary from state to state in Germany, although this phase often starts when the kid is six and concludes when he or she is eighteen.
The foundational first stage, or “Grundschule,” is the first stage of formal education. In Germany, the primary stage typically finishes in the fourth grade, except in some states, such as Berlin and Brandenburg, where it concludes in the sixth grade.
German terminology
Here are some German terminology used in the school system in Germany for your reference.
- Article (der Aufsatz)
- Blackboard (die Tafel)
- Computer room (der Computerraum)
- Degree (die Note)
- Grade (die Classe)
- High school certificate (das Abitur)
- Private school (die Privatschule)
- Pupil (der Schüler)
- Schoolgirl (die Schülerin)
- Teacher’s table (das Lehrerpult)
- The exam (die Prufung)
- Teacher (die Lehrerin)
- The principal of the school (die Schulleiterin)
How to spot a quality good school
Generally speaking, it is up to you to choose the school that your child should attend. Therefore, it is a wise idea to consider a few schools. An excellent school should offer extracurricular activities like theater, athletics, language and music groups, and field excursions in addition to providing a top-notch education. A successful school promotes parental participation as well. Ask about extracurricular activities at the school in addition to finding out if there is space for your child there.
Make sure the school provides German courses, often known as “Deutsch als Zweitsprache” (German as a foreign language) if your children are not yet German native speakers. Here, the teachers will make sure that your child can follow the curriculum and understands the courses.
International student’s eligibility for admission to German universities
You must produce your secondary school diploma (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) or a foreign diploma that is equivalent to being admitted to the German university system.
Foreign students frequently needed to complete an entrance exam before being admitted to a German university, particularly if they come from a nation where German institutions do not recognize the level of pre-university education.
The German educational system mandates that international students submit their papers at German universities six months, and even a full year, before the commencement of the semester. Before getting admitted to the institution, he might have to submit an academic personal statement.
