EDUCATION IN GERMANY
Whether you have already moved, or are looking for international schools in Germany before taking the leap, you’ll find many excellent state schools as well as a number of private and international schools across the country catering to the needs of expat children and international education for local families seeking bilingual or even trilingual schooling for their children.
One of the biggest dilemmas facing international families when relocating to Germany is where to educate our children. Whether to follow the national curriculum, opt for a public, bilingual or European school or choose one of the numerous private international schools in Germany is a much debated topic amongst expat residents.
Whatever your criteria and needs, the following sections aim to give an insight into the options available to parents, with the top international schools in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg listed, as recommended by our community of expat families living throughout Germany. Below you will also find an overview of the state school system, with each stage explained in detail, including the myriad of different options available in secondary school that lead to the final exam stage.
We are delighted to be partnering with St. George’s schools in Germany which offer international education in Munich, Düsseldorf Rhein-Ruhr and Cologne.
St. George’s The British International School
St. George’s believes that school is a fundamental chapter in a lifetime of learning, and they aim to make it an extraordinary one.
When Marietta Horton founded St. George’s Schools in 1985, she had a unique vision: to offer pupils infinite opportunities to excel, and to lead a life that makes a difference. It is through this culture that St. George’s British International Schools have become a place where children love to go to school.
The schools foster this original vision and have grown into distinctive, highly- regarded institutions that pair exceptional academic education that pushes beyond the core curriculum, with a caring pastoral infrastructure which values each individual.
St. George’s follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and the National Curriculum of England from Pre-Nursery to Year 9. They provide the opportunity to choose IGCSE studies at Key Stage 4, followed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) in the final two years before graduation. The St. George’s British International Schools are IB World Schools offering the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Career-related Programme (CP).
The four-strand approach – education, innovation, culture and responsibility – is conveyed through relevant programmes and experiences that are collaborative, integrative and pioneering. Graduates join the global community as confident discerning thinkers who are resilient, socially conscious and prepared to make the most of their opportunities. Leading a life that makes a difference, embracing responsibility and seeking to influence others positively.
The British International Schools located in Munich, Cologne and Düsseldorf Rhein-Ruhr are hallmarks of the St. George’s identity. Each of them have an individual distinct allure, while at the same time embrace common values and guiding principles.
Discover more at www.stgeorgesschool.com
Latest International Schools in Germany
German School System
International Schools
There are different types of International Schools in Germany: schools that teach in their native language and follow their country’s curriculum with or without German as a second language, schools that follow an IB curriculum and schools that teach in their native language and follow the German curriculum. Most international schools have lengthy waiting lists and it is advisable to contact schools as soon as possible to find out how their admissions policy works. Some international schools are state funded and offer places for both local children and native speakers, while other schools are fee paying. Fees vary and it is advisable to check with the schools directly for their policy on fees.
German School System
The German school system is internationally well regarded and most pupils attend a local state-funded school. Each of the German 16 states has autonomy over their own educational system which does differ to varying degrees but all of which operate under the same national umbrella. There is not the emphasis on private education that you get in some countries. The school day is fairly short starting at 8am and generally finishing at 1pm. Children whose native language is not German are deemed to have the same rights as native Germans. They are taught together with German-speaking children. In addition, they also receive three to five hours of instruction per week in their native language taught by instructors from their native country. The courses cover native language skills, the history, geography and religion of that country. Foreigners whose children are raised in Germany and face concerns about their children losing their cultural roots do in some states have the right to tuition funding for classes in their parent’s mother tongue.
Kindergartens (3-6 years)
Germany’s early childhood education system is well developed: 96% of 4 year olds and 89% of 3 year olds are enrolled in early childhood education programmes with a lower than average ratio of pupils to teaching staff. When teachers’ aides are factored in, the ratio becomes even more favourable. Nursery school/kindergartens are provided for children from 3 to 6 years old but attendance is not compulsory. Some kindergartens are private, some religious and some state-run. Attending a kindergarten is not free of charge, but in some cases, it can be partly or wholly funded depending on the local authority and parental income.
GrundSchule (6-10 years)
At the age of 6 German children move into Grundschule (Primary School). Attendance is compulsory. At Grundschule pupils will learn to read, write, study basic maths and general knowledge. In some schools, children will start to learn a foreign language (usually English). Most children will attend their local, state-run school which is free of charge. In the final year of Grundschule children are assessed by academic achievement and teacher evaluation.
Secondary Schools (10+)
Hauptschule
The Hauptschule teaches the same subjects as the Realschule and Gymnasium, but at a slower pace and with some vocational-oriented courses. It leads to part-time enrollment in a vocational school combined with apprenticeship training until the age of 18.
Realschule
The Realschule prepares pupils for vocational education and finishes with the final examination Hauptschulabschlus. It is possible for students with high academic achievement at the Realschule to switch to a Gymnasium on graduation.
Gymnasium
The Gymnasium has a strong emphasis on academic learning and is designed to prepare children for the diploma called the Abitur and ultimately for a university place. Curricula differ from school to school, but generally include German, mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, art (as well as crafts and design), music, history, philosophy, civics, social studies, and several foreign languages. Schools concentrate not only on academic subjects, but on producing well-rounded individuals, so physical education and religion or ethics are compulsory, even in non-denominational schools.
Gesamtschule
The Gesamtschule, or comprehensive school, is only found in some states. It takes the place of both the Hauptschule and Realschule. It enrolls students of all ability levels. Students who satisfactorily complete the Gesamtschule through the 9th grade receive the Hauptschule certificate, while those who satisfactorily complete schooling through the 10th grade receive the Realschule certificate. The Gesamtschule combines the curriculum of the Realschule and the Gymnasium and originated in the late 1960s to provide a broader range of educational opportunities for students than the traditional Gymnasium.
Förderschulen/Sonderschulen
Förderschulen/Sonderschulen cater for students who have special educational needs due to severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities or behavioural problems. It is estimated that one in 21 pupils of school age in Germany attend a Förderschulen/Sonderschulen. These schools provide individualised education, addressing specific needs. Student-teacher ratios are kept low, often 6:1 or lower depending upon the needs of the children. Special schools will also have other facilities for the development of children with special needs, such as soft play areas, sensory rooms, or swimming pools.
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