In der Schule

German Schools - Schularten

An annotated English-German Glossary
with a self-scoring quiz

Introduction
In Germany, as in the United States, public education is the responsibilty of each state (the 16 Bundesländer). Therefore, the German school system and types of schools vary from state to state. Not all of the schools listed below will be found in every Bundesland. In Austria, the school system is a federal responsibility and much more centralized than in Germany and Switzerland (cantonal). As opposed to the U.S. and Britain, Germany has compulsory school attendance (Schulpflicht) rather than compulsory education. As a result, home schooling is not permitted. By law (since 1871), young people between the ages of 6 and 14 must attend school. German public education is free, including university study. (Although there is no tuition cost, German university students must pay for books and living expenses.)

German students usually attend a Grundschule (Volksschule in Austria) for the first four years (kindergarten is not mandatory, nor is it usually part of the public school system). At the age of ten in most Bundesländer, students and their parents must decide the next step in their education. That is, which type of school they will attend: Hauptschule, Realschule or Gymnasium (in that order of prestige and difficulty). The many school choices are listed below.

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