After completing the primary education (at the age of 10 or 12 in Berlin and Brandenburg and at the age of 10 in other regions), there are four options for pursuing
Secondary Level I education:
- Hauptschule (non-academic secondary school, Grades 5 - 9 or 10)
- Realschule (mid-level secondary school, Grades 5 – 10)
- Gymnasium (academic secondary school, Grades 5 – 10)
- Gesamtschule (comprehensive school, Grades 5 – 9 or 10)
The German school system is free and compulsory until 9th grade. After the Grundschule (primary/elementary school lasting four to six years), teachers recommend each pupil for one of three different types of secondary education. Parents have the final say about which school their child will attend.
HauptschuleDesigned for students going into trades such as construction; complete after 9th or 10th grade (ages 14 to 16). During apprenticeships, pupils then attend Berufsschule, a dual-education vocational high school. The Hauptschule has been subject to significant criticism, as it tends to segregate the children of immigrants with schoolmates whose German is also poor, leading to a cycle of poverty.
RealschuleDesigned for students who want to apprentice for white-collar jobs not requiring university studies, such as banking; complete after 10th grade (age 15 to 16). Those who change their minds and decide to attend university can proceed after testing to:
GymnasiumAcademic preparatory school for pupils planning to attend universities or polytechnics. Some offer a classical education (Latin, Greek), while others concentrate on economics and the like. The curriculum leading to the Abitur degree were recently reduced from 13th grade to 12th grade (ages 17 to 18 - "G8," eight years of Gymnasium).
GesamtschuleA mixed ability school, puts all pupils in a single building, combining the three main types; these are still quite rare.
Students with special needs are assigned to Förderschule.
Successful completion of the above schools will lead to Mittlere Reife, which will qualify the pupils for vocational training at a vocational school (Fachabitur) at
secondary level II or to attend school at secondary level II or to attend a Gymnasium (Grades 10 - 12 or 10 - 13).
Information about the schools is available at following places:
- The Migration Advisory Service for Adult Immigrants (Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zuwanderer (MBE))
- School/Education authority
- Local schools
- Parents’ representation bodies and parental networks
- Education counselling officesMigrant organizations