School in Germany
In Germany, the federal states are responsible for the school system. That’s why schools are a little different in every federal state. That makes it difficult sometimes when moving. All over Germany, children start school at the age of six. But sometimes they are only five or seven. You have to go to school for at least nine years in total.
The first school is the elementary school. In most federal states it lasts four years, in Berlin and Brandenburg it is six years. Then the students are divided into different schools. Secondary and secondary schools were partially merged. Those who go to high school can do their Abitur there and then study. In comprehensive schools, the pupils are not divided. In some federal states you go to school for twelve years up to the Abitur, in others 13. There are now community schools. There children from the 1st to the 10th grade are taught together.
The school system in Germany at a glance
Grades, school year and school day
There are still no grades in the first two school years (in some schools even longer). They are then available from the third grade. School grades range from 1 to 6. A 1 is the best grade. Check medicinelearners to see schooling information in other European countries.
The school year begins after the summer vacation in August or September. It is divided into two semesters. Certificates are available at the end of January and before the summer holidays in June or July. The summer vacation lasts six weeks.
The school day usually starts in the morning between 7:30 and 8 a.m. School used to end at noon, but today there are also many all-day schools. Then the children are at school until the afternoon and have lunch there too.
In Germany there is always a classroom. This is where the teachers come to class. This is not always the case in other countries: there the students change rooms at every lesson. Later, however, there are also specialist rooms in our schools that the students then go to, for example for chemistry or music.
What are the names of the children in Germany?
Girls born in 2016 were most often called Marie, Sophie or Sophia by their parents. This is followed by Maria, Emma, Emilia, Mia, Anna, Hanna and Johanna in popularity (also in other spellings).
The boy Elias was the most popular first name, followed by Alexander and Maximilian. Paul, Leon, Louis, Ben, Jonas, Noah, and Luca were also frequently chosen.
Incidentally, ten years ago it didn’t look so different. With the girls Leonie, Lena, Laura and Lea were among the ten most popular girl names and with the boys Leon, Tim, Felix and David.
And – can you find your name here too? Or do you have a rare first name? Incidentally, in 2016 babies in Germany were also called Fips, Twain, Miracle or Blade. The authorities allowed these as first names. However, there are also words that are rejected as names. Elder, Urmel and Bandito, for example, were not allowed to be called babies, even though their parents wanted them to be.
And what about the last name? Many surnames are based on job titles. The most common surnames in Germany are Müller, Schmidt, Schneider, Fischer and Weber. This is followed by Meyer. If you take all the spellings of Schmidt (Schmid, Schmitt etc.) and Meyer (Meier, Maier) together, these two would be in first and second place.
And how do children live in Germany?
12.8 percent of the population in Germany is under 14 years old. That’s not a lot compared to many other countries. Even so, that’s about ten million children. And the – you! – are completely different. That’s great!
Some live in the country, others in the city. Some have siblings, others don’t. Incidentally, 25 percent have no siblings, 48 percent have a brother or a sister, 19 percent have two siblings and 8 percent have three or more.
Some children live with their parents, others with only one parent, and still others in blended families with one parent and the new partner of mother and father and step-siblings.
Many children have a sporting hobby. They play soccer or handball, dance, swim, ski, play tennis or do judo. Others learn a musical instrument such as the recorder, piano, guitar or violin. Families often do something together at the weekend. You can go to the amusement park, the summer toboggan run, the playground or maybe even the museum. Many children like to play on the computer at home. Many already have a smartphone.
