1. • Germany • Austria • Switzerland School Structures 101

2. Elementary School (Grundschule) • Starts at age 5/6 • Introduction to School Choices Grade 4 (age 10) • Grade 5 and 6 (choose track) • Hauptschule • Realschule • Gymnasium

3. Hauptschule • The Basics (not college prep) • Vocational Track • Graduate age 15/16 • Same subjects as other schools but slower pace

4. Realschule • Most like American or Canadian high school • Middle level learning • Graduate age 16/17 • Can go to university, but only certain subjects • Apprenticeship also an option

5. Sample Realschule Schedule

6. Gymnasium • College preparatory • Graduate age 18/19 • Grade 13 is strictly devoted to studying the “Abitur” • “ Abitur” is comprehensive test of all subjects studied from grade 7-12

7. (cont.) • To attend must receive recommendation from Grade 6 teachers • Must learn 2 foreign languages -English or Latin -French, English, Latin, Greek, Spanish, Russian • Admitted to college with Abitur -Not required, but recommended for certain subjects

8. Sample Gymnasium Schedule

9. School Structure 101 Overview