Hauptschule

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A Hauptschule is a German secondary school that comes after four years of primary school (Grundschule). It lasts five or six years, from 5th to 9th (or 10th) grade, finishing around ages 15 to 17.

It is mainly for students with average or below-average grades who are not headed for university. It gives a general education but at a slower pace than other schools. The subjects are similar to other schools: math, science, geography, history, languages, art, music, religion or another elective, politics, and sport. From the first year, all students learn English. Arbeitslehre (work studies) is also taught. Latin and Ancient Greek are usually not part of Hauptschule.

After obtaining the Hauptschulabschluss (the certificate) at age 15–16, students can start vocational training, work in basic or clerical jobs, or go to a Berufsfachschule (full-time vocational school). With good grades, they may move to a Realschule or even a Gymnasium later. In some states they can earn the Mittlere Reife, which allows entry to the Gymnasium.

Most Hauptschulen are state-funded and free. Some private Hauptschulen exist and may charge fees or offer scholarships. The state often spends more money per student at Hauptschulen than at other types of schools, and the student-teacher ratio is usually better.

Hauptschulen have diverse student groups. They face challenges because students have different needs, including some who need extra help. In Bavaria there are special M-classes for strong students and P-classes for those who struggle.

Around the country, many states have changed or merged Hauptschulen into other school forms, such as Regionalschulen, Realschule plus, Stadtteilschulen, or Sekundarschulen. In some places like Berlin and Hamburg, Hauptschulen were replaced by these newer schools in 2010–2011. In eastern Germany the system uses different names, but all states offer secondary schools with Gymnasien.

Hauptschulabschluss is valuable for some jobs and further education; it is not the same as Realschulabschluss or Abitur. Students can study at night to improve their qualifications if they want.