Germany The German Education System

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

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

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).

Entering to the High School System

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

Realschule (Midlevel High School – Grade ) 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.

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

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.

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

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

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,…)