The quality of German educationis world-renowned for a reason. It's well-organized and designed to be highly accessible to all students allowing them to continue studying up to the university level regardless of a family's finances.All German states offer the same school systems and education system. German public schools - no matter if they are elementary schools, secondary schools, or vocational schools - generally do not require any tuition fees. This article will give you an overview of the German standards of education, the organization of the school system, the subjects taught, grading systems, and more. General information about how the school system is organized in Germany Compulsory studies in Germany is based on the rules and regulations of theGrundgesetz(the German basic or fundamental national law). The federal government, with its departments of Education, Cultural Affairs, and Science has come together to createcomprehensive education guidelines regarding basic general studies, administrative regulations for school attendance, management of higher education, and foundations for public and private schools. German educational standards at local schools and also at higher education institutions are relatively high. In fact,precisely because the German school system is so well structured and rigorous, it produces some of the most accomplished students in the world. In a2015 OECD/PISA study, Germany ranked 16th in mathematics as well as in science, and students attending ranked 11th in reading. Students are thoroughly tested and evaluated at each stage of schooling. If a student fails to achieve the required minimum grades in two or more classes - for example, in a foreign language, and in religious studies- they have to repeat the whole year to ensure that they are always meeting the requirements to move up. Only 18% of students at most German schools have to repeat the year once, and more than 50% of students report attending post-secondary and higher studies in Germany. Compulsory education in Germany dictates thatall students from the age of six to 15 years old need to attend school consistently. However, students usually stay in school until 18 years of age and then start a university education at a German university or a continuing vocational education at a full-time vocational school or technical school. While parents can choose to put their kids in a private school or even an international school for preschool education, primary education, or secondary education, the curriculum in public schools and the secondary education in Germany is sufficient enough to allow their students to aim confidently for university-level education and obtain a university entrance qualification after the final examination at theGymnasium(high school). Did you know that nursery or preschool is optional in all German states? Up until six years old (that's the school age for German primary school), children may legally stay at home with parent(s) or spend the days with a privately-run child-minding service provider (or "Tagesmutter") instead of going to an official children's daycare center or "Kita" / "Kindergarten" for early childhood education. After this, children will then first attend primary school orGrundschule,and later one of the available types of secondary school/high-school studies. See ourpageabout the German school system to learn more about the different kinds of pre-schools as well as the primary, secondary and upper secondary studies as well as the tertiary education and professional study options available in Germany. The German school week runsfrom Monday to Friday. Students at elementary school start pretty early, from 8 a.m., and stay on until 1 or 2 p.m. For older kids in lower secondary education, these hours may be extended until about 4 p.m. German students in upper secondary education might even stay until 5 p.m. during their last school year. Primary school and secondary schools in Germany Primary school or elementary school in Germany is known asGrundschule. The very first term in German primary education starts around the beginning of September. From ages six to ten, children go through four years of school at a primary level. However, some primary schools and private institutions run for six years; that means your 5th-grade age would be 11 and a 6th-year student would be 12 years old. This depends on when you entered primary school. If a child hasn't turned six by the time school starts, they are considered akann Kindor a 'can child'-as in theycanattend school. They're not amuss Kind, which is a 'mustchild'. These childrenmustattend school. They may be required to pass a test known as theEinschulungsuntersuchung-and even if this is passed, administrators may not offer entering secondary school as an option if the child is not also socially or physically ready. Once basic school or primary school is complete, students progress to the secondary school component of education in Germany. There are five types of academic secondary school in the German secondary education system, including: School holidays in Germanyinclude common breaks likeEaster,winter holidays, andsummer holidays. The exact dates differ for each kind of school, however. Berlin public schools, for example, begin the summer break around June 20th and end around August 2nd. Meanwhile, students in Bavaria break around July 29th and resume around September 9th.The exact dates change from year to year. Anyone attending vocational programs in Germany is usually not only trained in their workplace butmust also attend a vocational school. As a rule, a secondary school leaving certificate is expected at the vocational school. This can usually be obtained at comprehensive schools, theRealschuleor specialist schools. Studies in German comprehensive schools does not focus so much on learning a second foreign language, but rather on computer skills or physical education, for example. These subjects are more important for vocational programs. There are basically eight specializations in vocational education: Agriculture, Design, Health, Education and Social Services, Information Technology/Computer Science, Technology/Natural Sciences, Nutrition and Supply, and Business and Administration. Administrators and educational ministers in Germany believe that the costs for education should not be a prohibiting factor in a child's education. That's whycompulsory studies in Germany is completely free for all students. School attendance is not subject to any tuition fees and also higher education at a German university is free of charge, provided it is not at private institutions. Anyone in Germany who earns a higher studies entrance qualification or completes training at vocational schools has good opportunities on the job market. In 2018, around 88 out of every 100 people between the ages of 25 and 64 in Germany had at least one of these qualifications. No. If you're attending a public school, whether it's a primary school or a secondary school, you do not need to wear a school uniform. Only some private schools in Germany may require a uniform. Homework in Germany is considered very important, and the school day is structured in such a way that students have plenty of time to complete it and gain extra help or support where necessary. Even in primary school,students spend at least half an hour on homework every day(known asHausaufgaben). Education in Germany is designed to provide students with 20 to 30 hours of lessons per week. Each class runs for about45 to 50 minutes. There are breaks for food and socializing, but there's usually no need for a cafeteria because school ends around lunchtime. Students at secondary schools with longer classes usually bring their own food, and many private schools offer complimentary meals. The German education system might take some time getting used to for international students: If you're moving from overseas and are used to a different structure of full-day schooling at secondary school, don't fret. Increasingly, German schools are offering a full day of education that sets aside time for homework, extracurriculars (like German language classes for foreign students), and lunch hours. Learn more about the general subjects in Germany Subjects taught in German schools differ at each level. For example, students at theRealschulelevel will study a range of subjects (computer science, mathematics, a foreign language, etc.) while also achieving an establishedacademic level. The differenceis that this kind of school's culminating diploma will be known as theRealschulabschlussand this will qualify to graduate students to take vocational qualifications, training courses, or apprenticeships in, for example, commercial trade or a medical profession. However, these students still have the opportunity to transfer to theGymnasiumfor their final two years if they're set on attending university.Education in Germany is designed in such a way that it depends on which secondary schools one attends in order to receive higher studies later on. Nevertheless, most German schools allow students to transfer within the system and attend a school whose final examination will give them a university entrance qualification. This means that higher study institutions in Germany are open to all German students within the German education system. This depends on which secondary school the student has chosen and where in the country they're located. In general, education at theGymnasiumlevel (required for those planning to attend tertiary education, i.e. university) covers a broad range of subjects. Students are opting for 32-40 hours of lessons a week, plus additional homework. They'll be studying a variety of subjects, usually including asecond foreign language from a pickof English, French, Spanish, Latin, and more.There are also sports, music, drama and art lessons."Honors" courses in Germany are known asLeistungskurse. Students at other secondary schools have the same subjects, but usually learn only one foreign language and school attendance is shorter. While students attend aGymnasiumfor 8 to 9 years, they attend aRealschuleor another comprehensive school for two years less. By the way, school attendance is compulsory andstudents who skip classes receive a reprimand. Yes,homeschooling in Germany is considered illegalbecause students must attend school from 6 to 15 years of age. The German education system requires that all children attend a school, whether it is a primary school, a secondary school, an international school, or a private school. The grading system in Germany runs on ascale from 1 to 6. Thehighest is 1orsehr gut("very good"). This is an outstanding achievement.An average score is 2,6 to 3,5,orbefriedigend, which is 'satisfactory'. International schools in Germany are a big draw for foreign families that want their kids to be schooled in anotherlanguage - usually English. This can help students feel more comfortable as they transition into life in a new country. These are full-day schools with students from different nationalities and countries represented. They offer a full range of educational subjects and extracurricular activities. They're perfect for students who are already halfway through their curriculum in their own countries. Search by city, major, or field of study and find your dream study program in Germany.The German education standards
How does the German education system work?
Kindergarten and Preschool in Germany
How many days a week do German students go to school?
School Organization
How old are you in 4th grade?
What does thekann Kind'seligibility depend on?
Vocational school
Is education in Germany for free?
Is there good education in Germany?
Do German Students wear a school uniform?
Does Germany have homework?
How long is the average school day in Germany?
Full-day schooling
Subjects taught in German Schools
What subjects are taught in German schools?
Is Homeschooling illegal in Germany?
What is the Grading System in German Schools?
International Schools in Germany
Find Your Perfect Match
FAQs
How good is Germany's education system? ›
German educational standards at local schools and also at higher education institutions are relatively high. In fact, precisely because the German school system is so well structured and rigorous, it produces some of the most accomplished students in the world.
What grade is a 13 year old in Germany? ›Pupils attain proficiencies and aptitudes required for university studies or high-end vocational programmes. A full Gymnasium career consists of the first stage of secondary education (G8: Year 5 – 9; G9: Year 5 – 10) and a subsequent three-year upper secondary stage (gymnasiale Oberstufe) (Year 10 – 12 or 11 – 13).
Which country has the best education system? ›1. United States of America. The United States has the best education system in the world. A significant number of international students, totalling 1,057,000, have been enrolled in universities in the USA last year.
Is Germany better than USA for education? ›Germany is an excellent option if you're looking for affordable and high-quality education. If you want to be in an English-speaking environment and have the opportunity to travel within America, the USA is a good choice.
What age is grade 9 in Germany? ›The secondary school system in Germany
There is the lower phase (sekundarstufe I), which in most states takes place between ages 10 and 15/16 (or from grades 5 to 9/10). This is compulsory for all students. The upper phase (sekundarstufe II) continues until students are 18 and is optional.
Youth Protection Act principally differentiates between children (up to 14 years) and teens (14-18 years)- who are considered minors- and adults (18 years and over):
What grade is 75 in Germany? ›| German Grade | Percentage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 - 2.5 | 75 - 89% | Good – gut |
| 2.6 - 3.5 | 60 - 74% | Satisfactory – befriedigend |
| 3.6 - 4.0 | 50 - 59% | Sufficient - ausreichend |
| 5.0 | 0 - 49% | Failed – nicht bestanden |
Lessons start between 7:30 and 8 am. At primary school they finish at 11 or 12. In the other schools, classes mostly continue until 1 pm, sometimes longer. There are also all-day schools, where they have lessons until about 4 pm.
Is the US switching to a 4 day school week? ›Four-day weeks have been adopted in almost 900 school districts nationwide, the Associated Press reported in September 2023 . That's up markedly from even four years earlier, in 2019, when about 650 districts in 24 states had adopted the schedule .
What country has only 4 days of school? ›The new policy in Poland is part of an expanding interest in the four-day school week, with similar experiments in the United States, Australia, and France, with some instituting one full day of “non-traditional” learning, or simply an extra day off, as a means of reducing student stress and increasing engagement in ...
Which country has school 6 days a week? ›
Israel is the only country in the developed world where children go to school six days a week.
What country is #1 in education? ›| Country | Education Rank (USN 2021) |
|---|---|
| United States | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 2 |
| Germany | 3 |
| Canada | 4 |
1- South Korea
South Korea stands out as the most educated country globally, with a literacy rate of 97.9% in 2024. Its high percentage of higher education graduates among OECD countries was reached in 2022 when approximately 70% of the population between the ages of 25 and 34 had completed their college education.
South Korea, Finland, America and Russia have some of the world's toughest education systems, according to a new guide. Singapore, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Africa complete the top 10 list of countries with difficult education systems published by mastersdegree.net, a Kosovo-based education platform.
Where does Germany rank in education? ›Countries with the Best Education
Iceland has the best rated education in the world with an index score of 0.938. Following close behind is Germany, the second best education ranking with a score of 0.917.
Germany has a strong reputation for its world-class universities, and it's no secret that the admission process is highly competitive. However, many students don't know that German universities are also among the most affordable in Europe. In fact, tuition fees at public universities are usually waived entirely.
Is learning German worthy? ›German Is Important in Academia
With so many award-winning scientists from the German-speaking countries, it might not come as a surprise that the German language is very important in the academic community. In fact, it ranks second as the most commonly used scientific language.
The structure of the schools here is fundamentally different - while Germany has Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium, in the USA I encounter the uniform high school. Another striking difference is the choice of subjects.