In Germany we have three differents kinds of schools after elementary school, in which the pupils have the possibilities to be taught according to their abilities. After elementary school you go to the "Orientierungsstufe" for two years where it is ascertained which schoolform is suited to your needs.
The "Gymnasium" is the most demanding and therefore it takes the longest time (9 years after elementary school, which takes 4 years). Only in the "Gymnasium" are you able to the school-leaving exam (and university entrance qualification).
To get this you have to pass the "Oberstufe" beginning after the 10th form.
The "Realschule" is the middle form. It lasts up to the 10th class.
The "Hauptschule" is the simplest form. It lasts up to the 9th form.
Our school is called „kooperative Gesamtschule“, which means it combines all three kinds of school on one campus but nevertheless separated from each other (unlike an „integrative Gesamtschule“ where all three forms are in one class with different courses).
The transitions between the three schoolforms are made easier by means of
- unified numbers of the different courses
- well-suited syllabuses and coordinated lessons
- possible attendance at specific lessons of a different schoolform
- support for changings between the schoolforms with special courses.
In the 9th and 10th form have a two-hour optional subject in common (for example Italian, Spanish, astronomy, photography, drama or sport). All teachers teach in all three schoolforms.
Henriette v. Enckevort, Thomas Poppendieck (10 h)
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