In this post, we shared some key points or things that you should know about German School.
Things you should know about German School
The Grading System
The German grading scale runs from 1 to 6, with one being the best grade (A) and six the worst (F). Poor grades in several subjects can result in a student having to repeat an entire school year.
Class Schedule
A German class schedule is not the same every day. More like a college schedule, with some classes three times a week, while others are only two days a week.
School Days
German students attend school for 187-190 days in an academic year, depending on the state. The school year in the US lasts 180 days. German students only get a six-week summer vacation, but they have more frequent vacation breaks during the school year. In recent years, some US school districts have adopted a similar schedule, with more frequent breaks.
School Vacation Dates
In order to avoid massive traffic jams, German schools in the 16 states have a staggered vacation (Ferien) schedule that rotates each year. One year schools in Berlin may begin their summer vacation in June, while those in Bavaria begin in July. There is even a website where you can find a state-by-state Schulferien guide for the next several years.
No Substitute Teachers
If a teacher is absent, there is no class that day, or the class is taught by a colleague who has a free period. Substitutes (Ersatzlehrer) are only hired for lengthy absences.
School Trips
School trips are often more ambitious and more extensive than in the US. A typical English class in Germany might have an annual trip by bus to London with their teachers for a week or ten days, staying in youth hostels.
No Hall Passes, No Study Hall
If a student has a free period, he/she is free to do whatever he/she wants during that time. There are usually no study halls (except in a Ganztagsschule) or hall passes. German secondary students are not treated like babies. They are expected to be responsible.
Klassenlehrer
Beginning in the fifth grade in a Gymnasium (seventh for other school types), students are grouped into “homerooms” with a particular teacher Klassenlehrer. They stay together for the rest of their school years.
No School Bus
Although there may be school buses in some rural areas, in most German cities and towns, pupils walk or use public transportation to get to and from school.
Read Also:
- The structure of the German education system
- Top Reasons: Why to study in Germany?
- Education in Germany
