Living
Primary & Secondary Schools
Whether you opt for a state school or one of Berlin’s private institutions, your child will at least have to prove their language ability, either in German or English. In addition, private schools will test your child to see which grade suits them best. Most of Berlin’s private schools follow the British system, with A-levels complementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.
The John F Kennedy High School, however, follows the American college preparatory, while Nelson Mandela School offers an IB and hopes to also soon offer the German equivalent of A-levels, known as Abitur. Both JFK and Nelson Mandela are funded by the government and don’t charge tuition. Other private schools, however, will want about €10,000 a year to teach your child reading, writing and arithmetic.
If you opt for the German system, administrators will talk with your child to informally test their language ability. They may be admitted directly or with a caveat that they take German lessons (provided by the school). The school may also have them sit out a semester or two to take intensive German classes. Then, once your child has reached grade 5, you’ll also have to choose between Gymnasium, Realschule and Hauptschule, with your child’s grades determining which school they may attend.
Hauptschule is the lowest form of secondary school in Germany and focuses as much on social skills as teaching basic maths, language and science. Realschule is considered better than Hauptschule, with more advanced classes. Both end at the 10th grade, though Realschule students are also given an opportunity to test into Gymnasium. The tests cover all subjects and are a chance for students to show they were the best of their class and deserve a shot at a university education. However, most simply choose internships or vocational training. Gymnasium educates children from grade 5 to13 and ends in a final exam known as the Abitur that is similar to A-levels in the English system. Those that successfully pass the Abitur can then go on to university. Gymnasium students have to prove broad knowledge in all subjects, but must specialise in two subjects, for example, maths and biology, or art and religion.
The international schools all boast a bit more space than their German counterparts because they are designed to not only teach kids the basics, but also offer after-school activities such as sports, music or art. In general, German schools only have rows of classrooms with a gymnasium stuck on one end for assemblies and sports clubs that aren’t necessarily affiliated with the school. Expect class sizes in both to range between 20 and 30 pupils.
German schools run from 08:30 to about 15:00. Each district has several daycare facilities for after-school care, known as a Hort – ask at the school for more information. International schools have similar times, but offer after-school programmes until 17:00 or 18:00.
The John F Kennedy High School, however, follows the American college preparatory, while Nelson Mandela School offers an IB and hopes to also soon offer the German equivalent of A-levels, known as Abitur. Both JFK and Nelson Mandela are funded by the government and don’t charge tuition. Other private schools, however, will want about €10,000 a year to teach your child reading, writing and arithmetic.
If you opt for the German system, administrators will talk with your child to informally test their language ability. They may be admitted directly or with a caveat that they take German lessons (provided by the school). The school may also have them sit out a semester or two to take intensive German classes. Then, once your child has reached grade 5, you’ll also have to choose between Gymnasium, Realschule and Hauptschule, with your child’s grades determining which school they may attend.
Hauptschule is the lowest form of secondary school in Germany and focuses as much on social skills as teaching basic maths, language and science. Realschule is considered better than Hauptschule, with more advanced classes. Both end at the 10th grade, though Realschule students are also given an opportunity to test into Gymnasium. The tests cover all subjects and are a chance for students to show they were the best of their class and deserve a shot at a university education. However, most simply choose internships or vocational training. Gymnasium educates children from grade 5 to13 and ends in a final exam known as the Abitur that is similar to A-levels in the English system. Those that successfully pass the Abitur can then go on to university. Gymnasium students have to prove broad knowledge in all subjects, but must specialise in two subjects, for example, maths and biology, or art and religion.
The international schools all boast a bit more space than their German counterparts because they are designed to not only teach kids the basics, but also offer after-school activities such as sports, music or art. In general, German schools only have rows of classrooms with a gymnasium stuck on one end for assemblies and sports clubs that aren’t necessarily affiliated with the school. Expect class sizes in both to range between 20 and 30 pupils.
German schools run from 08:30 to about 15:00. Each district has several daycare facilities for after-school care, known as a Hort – ask at the school for more information. International schools have similar times, but offer after-school programmes until 17:00 or 18:00.
