In Germany school is compulsory for at least nine year for children of six and older. The school system is made up of primary schools, secondary schools and grammar schools.

Primary school ("Grundschule")

Primary school covers first to fourth grade. The emphasis in these four grades is on basic knowledge (reading, writing, arithmetic) and on study and social skills. In addition, a foreign language is taught in order to lay the foundations and understanding for learning languages. These subjects are complemented by ethics or religion and art lessons.
At the beginning of the second half of the fourth grade, parents decide, with the help of school representatives and based on the school's educational recommendation, whether their child will attend fifth grade at a secondary school ("Mittelschule") or grammar school ("Gymnasium"). Transfer to the latter is also possible at a later date.

Secondary school ("Mittelschule")

Secondary schools convey both general knowledge and information to prepare the pupils for their future jobs. This is true for both subtypes of these schools, the secondary modern school ("Hauptschule") and the intermediate modern secondary school ("Realschule"). Fifth and sixth grades have an orientation function, i.e. the curriculum during these two years is the same in secondary and grammar schools. Transfers between the two schools at this point are therefore no problem.
At the end of the sixth grade a decision is made regarding the pupil's future educational path.
The secondary schools offer the following qualification:

• After successful completion of the 9th grade, pupils graduate with a so-called "Hauptschulabschluss", a secondary modern school qualification. This is the minimum requirement for further job training.
  
• The "Realschulabschluss" for graduation from a Realschule requires the successful completion of the 10th grade and a final exam. With this qualification pupils can start job training or, if their performance has been good enough, they can transfer to a specialised secondaryr school, grammar school vocational grammar school.

Grammar ("Gymnasium")

The grammar school ("Gymnasium") takes on especially well-performing pupils and prepares them for demanding careers or university studies. As is the case in the secondary school ("Mittelschule"), the fifth and sixth grades introduce new school subjects and requirements. Pupils in grades 8 and 10 can choose one of five areas of focus according to their aptitudes and abilities: natural sciences, social sciences, arts, languages or sport. Pupils receive intensive instruction in their chosen field.
With the "Abitur"-exams (final exams or A-levels) after their twelfth school year, grammar school pupils are awarded a general university admission certificate. This qualification gives them access to all German colleges and universities.

Before/ after school organisation ("Hort")

This is a social and educational organisation for children from first to fourth grade. Most primary schools in Dresden have a before/after school programme, either directly in the school building or in its immediate vicinity. At the parents' request children can be supervised here before and after school and during school holidays. Parents pay fees for this service. The adult employees are trained in pedagogy. Children take part in leisure activities and finish a large part of their homework here. This is a big help, especially for parents who are working.

For more information on the schools in Dresden please have a look on the city's webpage about schools and the catalogue of schools (in German only). There is an International School  in Dresden with Pre School, Primary School and Secondary School. A wide offer of private schools (Waldorf, Montessori, Laborschule etc.) is available too.

Daily Routine in School

School mostly starts at 8 a.m. One lesson lasts 45 minutes. There are five to seven lessons a day held by different teachers. There are 20-30 pupils in a class. The official class teacher is the contact person for all pupils and their parents. In the afternoon homework has to be done. In Dresden there are no special school busses. Pupils can use public transport and pay reduced transport fees. Lunch is offered in every school, besides there are small kiosks and food automats that sell snacks and beverages.

Application for School

According to Saxon school laws, at the beginning of the school year, all children who have turned six by June 30th of the current calendar year are required to attend school. The School Administration Office (Schulverwaltungsamt) informs parents of the registration dates and the local primary schools nearby. Registration at the chosen primary school should take place about 10 months before the start of school (at the end of October of the previous year).
For registration the child must be introduced and the following documents presented:

• Identity card of the mother or father
• Birth certificate or genealogical certificate of the child
• Registration confirmation from the School Administration Office

On registration day there is a meeting with the school director or a teacher. In Saxony teaching is free of charge in public schools. The necessary school books can be lent to the pupils. In private schools other regulations may be in place.

Before the start of school each child is examined by a doctor who assesses physical and mental resilience, willingness to learn and curiosity, motor skills and persistance, social behaviour, cognitive development and linguistic development. The child's vaccination card and medical records must be brought to the examination. A decision regarding the right time for the child to start school is made according to the results of the examination.

For more information on primary school districts in Dresden and general administrative questions please contact the

School Administration Office (Schulverwaltungsamt)

Fiedlerstraße 30
01307 Dresden
Phone +49 (0)351 488 92 23

Pupils from other countries

Foreign children who have already started school in their home country must register for German schools at the Saxon Education Agency ("Sächsische Bildungsagentur"). For this they need their identity card or passport and the most recent school report from their country of origin. The Saxon Education Agency informs families about educational options available in Saxony and provides individual advice on educational pathways.
Pupils who do not speak German or whose German is insufficient must first attend a preparatory class. Here they learn German as a second language and are prepared for the transition to the regular class of their age group. After four to six weeks these pupils will then go to their future class by the hour. The transition up to complete integration depends on the individual and is generally completed at the end of a school year. In Dresden these preparatory classes are currently available in 13 schools (seven primary schools, six secondary schools).

Saxon Education Agency ("Sächsische Bildungsagentur")

Großenhainer Str. Straße 92
01127 Dresden
Phone: +49 (0)351 84390
Fax: +49 (0)351 8439310
URL: www.sachsen-macht-schule.de

Source: www.welcome.dresden.de

Please feel free to contact the Welcome Center staff, if you need assistance in finding a school for your children: welcome.center(at)tu-dresden.de.