The German education system has three main levels: elementary school from ages 6-10, followed by secondary schools which have multiple options based on a student's abilities and skills. After secondary school, students can pursue further education such as apprenticeships, technical colleges, or university. Kindergarten is available starting at age 3 but is not required. Elementary education is the same for all students. In secondary school, students are placed on tracks for regular high school, mid-level, or highest level depending on their abilities, with options to change levels. Graduates can continue their education through apprenticeships, technical colleges, or university.

1. Germany
The German Education System

2. Kindergarten
 At the age of 3, children enter
kindergarten
 Kindergarten is not a requirement
 There is a cost for kindergarten
 Student will stay in kindergarten until
the age of 6

3. Elementary School
 1st – 4th Grade
 All students are
integrated in one
school
 Sonderschule – for
severe learning and
physical disabilities

4. Schultuete – Schoolcone
(For the very first day of school)
 Once upon a time in Germany, children who were
about to start school were told the legend of
the tree that grows in every teacher’s garden.
 It was said that this tree grew bags filled with
all types of Süßigkeiten (sweets), toys and many
goodies. These bags are known as Schultüten
(school cones).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC2N4gElS8E&list=PL371379C16F4E9AA3

5. Entering to the
High School System
Hauptschule
(Grade 5 - 9)
Realschule
(Grade 5 - 10)
Gymnasium
(Grade 5 - 13)
Elementary School
Grundschule
(All Students)
(Grade 1 - 4)

6. Hauptschule
(Regular High School - Grade 5 - 9)
 Students with average grades and
abilities will enter the Hauptschule
 Grade 5 and 6 are the
“Orientierungs Stufen”, this gives
students a chance to improve and
move up
 Graduating students will enter an
apprenticeship and continue their
education, or will enter continuing
education schools

7. Realschule
(Midlevel High School – Grade 5 - 10)
 Students with greater abilities will
enter the Realschule
 Grade 5 and 6 are the
“Orientierungs Stufen”, where
students may be placed in other
schools
 Graduating students may enter
an apprenticeship or continue
their education in more advanced
schools.

8. Gymnasium
(Highest level High School – Grade 5 – 13)
 Gifted Students will enter the
gymnasium
 Grade 5 and 6 are the
“Orientierungs Stufen”, where
students may be placed in lower
level schools
 Graduating students receive an
“Abitur” or Diploma, which is
equal to an Associates degree in
the U.S.A.
 Students may start an
apprenticeship or enter a
university

9.  Students can achieve the highest level
of education, even if they start at the
lowest High School level.
 The system is not closed, but it can be
difficult for students to achieve higher
levels of education. For the most part
pathways are set up for students.

10. Gesamtschule
(High schools for all academic levels Grades 5 – 13)
 Some German states have a
High School for all academic
levels
 Students within those
schools do receive different
levels of education

11. Interesting Facts
Elementary school:
 Pupils learn cursive writing
before printing
 In second grade students
will write with a fountain pen
 Foreign languages, such as
English and French are
introduced to students
 School starts at 8:00 and
ends at 11:30
 There is no lunch served in
school
High school:
 Foreign language is a core
subject and it is a graduation
requirement
 Schools have Saturday
classes
 The school year has 220
days
 Extra curriculum activities
are offered through the
communities and are not
part of the school curriculum
 School starts at 8:00 and
ends at 1:00
 There is no lunch served in
school

12. Continuing Education
Hauptschule Realschule Gymnasium Gesamtschule
Apprenticeship
2-3 years (equal to
an associates degree in
US) or continuing
education to receive the
Abitur, which allows you to
enter the University (to
receive advanced degrees
in theory studies such as
law, education, medical,…)
Apprenticeship
2-3 years (equal to
an associates degree in
US) or continuing
education to receive the
Abitur, which allows you to
enter the University
(to receive advanced
degrees in theory studies
such as law, education,
medical,…)
University
with the completed
Abitur entering, or
Fachhochschule, or
Apprenticeship
2-3 years (equal to an
associates degree in
US), Meister Brief
Apprenticeship
2-3 years (equal to
an associates degree in
US) Meister Brief
or
Fachhochschule
or, with the completed
Abitur entering the
University
Meister Brief
(Masters in your field,
allows you to train
students) or
Fachhochschule
(Technical Univeristies
to receive an advanced
degree)
Meister Brief
(Masters in your field,
allows you to train
students) or
Fachhochschule
(Technical Univeristies
to receive an advanced
degree)
University
(to receive
advanced degrees in
theory studies such
as law, education,
medical,…)
University
(to receive
advanced degrees in
theory studies such
as law, education,
medical,…)