2. Basic Structure- Feteralism I n Germany one national structure or educational system doesn't exist! It is part of the constitutional sovereignty of each federal state (Kulturhohheit der Länder). Every federal state has its own system. There are 16 states, so there are 16 different school systems as well. But some essentials are mostly the same in many states and could characterise the German school system...

4. Primary School- Grundschule Primary school is compulsary for all children and starts with the age of six years. In most states it lasts 4 years, in Berlin and Brandenburg it covers 6 years. Contents are reading, writing, calculating, sport activities, arts, music and some basic biological, historical and social facts.

5. Secundary level of education I and II The compulsory school attandance amounts 9 years, in some states 10 years. After primary school parents can choose - based on the ability of their children - different tracks:

7. The lower secondary level (I) starts mostly in class 5 and ends with class 10. -> Hauptschule (lower vocational track; till grade 9 (15 years)) -> Realschule (higher vocational track; till grade 10 (16 years) -> In Saxony (Sachsen): Middle School (combining Hauptschule and Realschule; till grade 10) -> Regelschule and Sekundarschule (in Thüringen und Sachsen-Anhalt) -> Comprehensive School ( combining Gymnasium, Hauptschule and Realschule) in an Kurssystem -> Gymnasium (academic track; till grade 9/10) -> By the way in some states, after the Grundschule there are 2 years of orientation phase before deciding for one of the tracks above.