German School Dictionary
50 German school terms explained in plain English. Every entry comes with the everyday situation where you are likely to meet it.
7 parts, from starting primary school to parent rights.
Important for parents: School rules, support measures and parental rights can differ between Germany's 16 federal states. A term may be used nationwide, while the procedure behind it is not identical everywhere.
Part 1 of 7
Starting Primary School
Einschulung und Schulanmeldung
Schulpflicht
Compulsory schooling
You've just moved to Germany and need to find out when your child must start school.
Schulanmeldung
School registration
You receive a letter telling you when and where to register your child for primary school.
Einschulung
First day of primary school
Your child starts Grade 1. The school organizes a special welcome ceremony.
Stichtag
School entry cut-off date
Your child's birthday determines which year they are expected to start school.
Kann-Kind
Child eligible for early school entry
Your child is not yet required to attend school, but you would like them to start early.
Zurückstellung
Delayed school entry
You believe your child needs another year before starting school and ask about postponement.
Schuleingangsuntersuchung
School-entry health assessment
You receive an invitation for your child's mandatory health assessment before starting school.
Schulbezirk / Einzugsgebiet
School catchment area
You find a primary school you like, but your home address may determine which school your child can attend.
Part 2 of 7
Everyday School Life
Schulalltag und Kommunikation
Klassenleitung
Class teacher / homeroom teacher
You want to discuss your child's progress and contact the teacher responsible for the class.
Stundenplan
School timetable
Your child comes home and says, "Tomorrow I have six lessons."
Vertretungsplan
Substitute teacher schedule
Your child's teacher is absent. You check whether another teacher will take over the lesson.
Ganztagsschule
All-day school
You work full-time and want to know whether your child can stay at school in the afternoon.
Hort / OGS
After-school childcare
School finishes at 1 p.m., but you need childcare until 4 p.m.
Elternabend
Class parents' meeting
You receive an invitation to an evening meeting for all parents in your child's class.
Elterngespräch
Individual parent-teacher meeting
Your child's grades are getting worse, so you arrange a private meeting with the teacher.
Elternsprechtag
Parent-teacher consultation day
The school offers short individual meetings with different teachers to discuss your child's progress.
Part 3 of 7
Grades and Assessment
Noten, Leistungen und Zeugnisse
Klassenarbeit
Written class test
Your child announces a maths test next week. The result may count towards their grade.
Lernzielkontrolle
Learning progress assessment
The teacher checks whether your child has mastered a particular topic.
Mündliche Mitarbeit
Oral classroom participation
The teacher says, "Your child writes good tests but rarely participates in class."
Leistungsbewertung
Academic performance assessment
You want to understand how written tests, presentations and classroom participation affect your child's grades.
Zeugnis
School report card
At the end of the semester, your child receives a report showing their academic progress.
Versetzung
Promotion to the next grade
Your child's report confirms that they will move on to the next grade.
Nichtversetzung
Not being promoted to the next grade
Your child has several failing grades. The school informs you that they may have to repeat the year.
Part 4 of 7
Language and Learning Support
Sprachförderung und individuelle Unterstützung
Deutsch als Zweitsprache (DaZ)
German as a second language
Your child has recently arrived in Germany and needs additional German lessons.
Sprachförderung
Language support
Your child speaks German confidently but struggles to understand school assignments. You ask what language support is available.
Bildungssprache
Academic German
Your child understands everyday German but cannot explain scientific processes or justify an opinion in German.
Sprachstandserhebung
Language proficiency assessment
The school assesses your child's German skills to identify which areas need support.
Förderplan
Individual learning support plan
Your child struggles with reading. The school develops a plan with learning goals and support measures.
Nachteilsausgleich
Reasonable adjustments / exam accommodations
Your child has a documented impairment. You ask whether additional time or other adjustments are possible during exams.
Lese-Rechtschreib-Schwierigkeiten (LRS)
Reading and spelling difficulties
Your child makes persistent spelling mistakes despite practice. You ask the school about assessment and support.
Sonderpädagogischer Förderbedarf
Special educational support needs
Your child needs additional educational support. The school discusses whether a formal assessment is appropriate.
Schulsozialarbeit
School social work
Your child is being excluded by classmates. You contact the school social worker for help.
Part 5 of 7
School Types and Educational Pathways
Schulformen und Bildungswege
Grundschulempfehlung
Primary school recommendation
Your child is finishing primary school. The teacher recommends a type of secondary education.
Gymnasium
Academic-track secondary school
You want your child to follow a school pathway leading towards the Abitur and university.
Gesamtschule
Comprehensive secondary school
You are looking for a school offering different educational pathways and qualifications.
Probeunterricht
Trial lessons / admission assessment
In Bavaria, your child's grades do not meet the usual Gymnasium admission requirements. You ask about the trial lessons.
Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA)
Intermediate secondary school certificate
Your teenager is approaching the end of lower secondary education and preparing for a school-leaving qualification.
Abitur
University entrance qualification
Your child wants to study at a German university and is preparing for the final school examinations.
Schulformwechsel
Change of secondary school type
Your child attends a Realschule but is performing very well. You ask whether transferring to a Gymnasium is possible.
Part 6 of 7
Absences and School Attendance
Fehlzeiten, Krankmeldungen und Schulpflicht
Krankmeldung
Reporting a child sick
Your child wakes up with a fever. You must inform the school that they will be absent.
Entschuldigung
Written explanation for an absence
After your child returns to school, you are asked to provide a written explanation for their absence.
Ärztliches Attest
Medical certificate / doctor's note
The school requests a doctor's note under specific circumstances to confirm your child's illness.
Beurlaubung
Approved leave of absence
Your family has an important event abroad. You apply for permission for your child to miss two school days.
Unentschuldigtes Fehlen
Unexcused absence
Your child misses school without an accepted excuse or prior permission. The absence is recorded as unexcused.
Bußgeld
Administrative fine
You take your child on holiday before the official school break without permission. You may face a fine.