"The ABCs of education in Germany"
High School in Germany
During Grundschule- fourth year- the decision is made on whether a student will attend Hauptschule.
Grundschule- the fourth year
Hauptschule-fifth to ninth year
Gymnasium- fifth to twelfth or thirteenth year
Gesamtschule is only offered in some religions in Germany.
Gesamtschule combines all three types of high school which offers differentiation based on performance.
German School Hours
8 a.m.-1 p.m.
They don't offer much extracurricular activities
They have theatre and sport associations
There is a range of after-school/pre-school facilities for children that are 12 or younger.
School Holidays in Germany
Children have 6 weeks of summer vacation
1 week autumn vacation
2 weeks of Christmas/winter vacation
2 weeks of Easter/spring vacation
Gymnasium
Not physical education
Ages 12 to 18 to 19
required for anyone planning on tertiary education
2 foreign languages required English, Latin, French, or Spanish
13th grade students prepare for Abitur
Fail more than 2 subjects: repeat whole school year
More than two subjects failed:required to move schools
Realschule
1 quarter of the children attend Realschule
If a student gets high enough grades they can transfer Gymnasium.
6 years; then they graduate with a diploma: Mittlere Reife
Vocational school is the next
Hauptschule
final half of elementary school
5-year programme teaches basic skills including foreign language.
They also learn English.
Can go onto a vocational school which lasts 2-years
Gesamtschule
Another option for the parents is to send their children to a Gesamtschule.
Attended by students abilities.
Students take their final exam.
Private Schools
3,000 private schools.
Many are boarding schools.
Berufskollegs
German education system also includes vocational schools called Berufsschule or Berufskolleg.
Aged between 16 and 19 sometimes up to 23
Can undertake a range of work-directed
studies such as economics and specific business studies.