School
In Germany, education is legally compulsory beginning at the age of 6 years old. Once your child has reached this age, he or she will automatically receive an invitation to register at the nearest elementary school. Depending on where you live, you will receive a letter in the mail from your local elementary school. New residents must register their child on their own without an invitation to do so. Once your child has completed the fourth grade of elementary school he or she will move on to a secondary school, e.g. Werkrealschule, Realschule, Gymnasium or a Gemeinschaftsschule. For children with a disability, you have the option to choose between a special-needs school or a regular school. There are also vocational schools with a focus on business, technical, commercial, social or household and agricultural sciences.

Choice of school
The primary schools are assigned to school districts. Depending on where you live, your child will be assigned to the nearest school. All primary schools offer various all-day care programs with musical, cultural and sports activities. All primary schools also offer special language training. With regards to secondary schools, depending on the individual interests of your child, the profiles of the different schools and other factors, it is up to you at which school you want to enroll your child.

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