In Germany school, from the age of 6 through 14, is mandatory, and in public state-run school's, it's free. The school system in Germany is a little different than it's American counterpart. All children enter in the same program, but at the age of 10, they go to one of four types of schools. The track that they enter determines which type of school they can next enter, and finally, weather they will go to a university or enter a technical field or trade. The graph below shows the levels and routes of education a German student could go through. Click on one of the sections to find out more about it. In addition to the differences in how the schools are arranged, they also have a different way of marking the start and finish of a students school career. First day of school and graduation
Advanced vocational training University
Technical or Trade school
13 Vocational qualification University qualification exam (Abitur)
13th grade and Abitur prep
12 11 Training and education at companies and part time vocational schools (Berufschule) Full-time vocational school (Berufsfacherschule) Vocational uppper secondary school (Fachober-schule) Continuation with Gymnasium or Gesamtschule
10- 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - Secondary general school (Hauptschule) Intermediate school (Realschule) Grammer school (Gymnasium) Comprehensive school (Gesampt schule)

4 - 3 - 2 - 1

 Primary School (Grundschule)
Kindergarten
Kindergarten / Grundschule / Hauptschule / Realschule / Gymnasium / Gesamtschule / Abitur
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Partita number 1 in C by Bach