Schools and Gymnasium entry in Bremen

Primary school in Bremen lasts four years, and children usually move on in Grade 5. Gymnasium is the academic pathway that leads to the Abitur, and the Oberschule is the other main secondary school type.

Parents decide the school type, and you are expected to attend the school guidance meeting. There is no single grade cutoff that decides ordinary entry.

When a Gymnasium has more applicants than places, children whose performance is above the Regelstandard (the regular expected standard) in German and maths have priority, after hardship cases. Being below that standard is not a ban on applying; it affects priority when places are limited.

One detail worth knowing: what counts is the primary school's competence report, not a grade average you work out yourself. Ask the school to confirm how your child's performance was classified. Bremerhaven also has its own local registration arrangements.

This page describes the ordinary move from primary school. Later transfers into Gymnasium, and specialist schools with their own profiles, can have different requirements.