Practical articles for expat parents navigating the German school system.
Find school support contacts in all 16 German states and download five practical questions with German and English email templates.
Germany has 16 states and different school rules. Choose your Bundesland to understand the school pathway, Gymnasium entry requirements and your next steps, and download a free one-page guide for your state.
Five things to check before choosing your child’s Grundschule, plus local primary-school information for all 16 Bundesländer.
Your child brought home a German or maths test with a disappointing grade? Learn what an Erwartungshorizont shows, what to ask the teacher, and how to practise the right skill.
German teachers mark written work against a marking scheme most parents never see. Here's what an Erwartungshorizont is, what it contains, and how to use it to understand — and improve — your child's results.
Germany's multi-track school system can feel overwhelming when you arrive. This guide breaks down Grundschule, Gymnasium, Realschule, Hauptschule, and Gesamtschule — and what each path means for your child's future.
The Berufsbildungsreife is Berlin's first school-leaving qualification. Here is what it requires at Integrierte Sekundarschulen and Gemeinschaftsschulen — and how to prepare for it.
The oral component of the MSA exam trips up many students — especially those who speak German as a second language. Here's exactly how to prepare, structure your presentation, and handle the examiner's questions.
When the Nwosu family moved from Lagos to Hamburg, nine-year-old Amara couldn't read a word of German. Twelve months later, she was reading aloud in class. Here's how.
At the end of Grundschule, teachers recommend which secondary school suits your child. Here is how the decision is made and how you can prepare.
Germany has a strong public school tradition — but private schools do exist, and for expat families they can seem appealing. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide what's right for your child.
It's one of the most common fears Indian parents have before relocating. Here's exactly what to expect — and what to do.
In most federal states, children move to secondary school after Grade 4 — in Berlin and Brandenburg after Grade 6. Here is what Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium each lead to, and what that means for your family.
Most parents focus on German language and Maths — but Sachkunde is the hidden exam subject that catches expat children off guard. Here's what it covers and why it matters.
