Introduction
Moving to Germany with kids brings with it a lot of questions. One of the biggest being: What’s the best school for my kids?
Local public schools offer full language and cultural immersion, while international schools provide familiarity with language and approach.
This choice sparks debate for a reason—your child’s schooling will shape not just their education, but how easily they build friendships and settle into life in Germany.
With many competing but equally valid priorities, it isn’t always easy to decide the best option for your child.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the key differences between the public schools in Germany and its International Schools. I’ll also share tips to help you choose what’s best for your kids and family.
Overview of the German School System
Germany’s education system is known for its structure and academic rigour—but for newcomers, it can feel complex and overwhelming.
Known locally as the Bildungssystem, the German school system comprises several stages with varying aims and outcomes for students.
If, like me, you’re from a country where children attend primary school and then secondary school, then this system might take a little bit of getting used to!
Here’s a quick overview:
Krippe (2 – 3 years)
While not compulsory, toddler childcare is widely used in Germany. While generally not academically oriented, children attending Krippe will be exposed to a range of activities that aim to build their motor and social skills.
Kindergarten (3–6 years)
Preschool years are not compulsory but like Krippe, are widely attended. Activities are generally more targeted to build specific, age-appropriate skills. Parents will receive feedback and recommendations if children are observed to need extra support in any area.
Vorschule (ages 5 – 7)
The last of the preschool years is the foundation year for school. Attending may be compulsory in your state. Children are increasingly taught the routines and structures common in school, to prepare them for their first school year.
Grundschule (ages 6–10)
- Primary school from first to fourth grade.
- It is common for children to remain in the same group, with the same teacher for the full four years.
- All children must attend Grundschule from the age of six years old.
- School commencement may be delayed by recommendation from the Vorschule (for example, the child’s language is not yet adequately developed to manage school). With special permission, children may also begin school early.
Secondary Education
After the fourth class, (or sixth class in some states), children transition into one of the following secondary schools:
- Hauptschule: Vocational-focused education, lasting 5 – 6 years (depending on the state). Students receive a Hauptschulabschluss, allowing them to seek further vocational training (for example, an apprenticeship).
- Realschule: Considered the intermediate path, the Realschule combines academic study of the core subjects (German, Maths, Science and English) with more vocational subjects. After five years, students can choose to move into further vocational training or specialised secondary education or complete an additional two years of study to qualify for university study in Germany.
- Gymnasium: Offering the most academic path, students study for five years and receive the Abitur, the qualification needed to apply for study at German universities. Typically, students choose either a maths/ science stream or a languages/ humanities stream to focus their studies on. All students must demonstrate a sound knowledge of German, English and Maths regardless of their specialised stream.
“Oberschule” is a type of secondary school, typically found in Germany’s Eastern states of Saxony, Sachsen-Anhalt and Brandenburg, which combines the Hauptschule and Realschule.
Public schools in Germany are free, though there are still other costs to be covered by a student’s family. For example, the cost of excursions and books.
Public schools here follow state-specific curriculums and are taught almost entirely in German, which can be a big adjustment—especially in the early months.
There is minimal flexibility or adaptation for students who are not native speakers, though increasingly schools are offering classes tailored to DaZ (Deutsch als Zweitsprache – German as a foreign language) students.
Make it Germany has a handy diagram to help make this all make a bit more sense!
What Are International Schools in Germany?
International schools in Germany cater to expat families and worldly-minded local families by offering internationally recognised curricula.
Most commonly International Schools offer one of the following qualifications:
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- British curriculum (IGCSE, A-Levels)
- American system (with AP classes and GPA grading)
International Schools typically:
- Teach in English.
- Offer a multicultural environment.
- Employ international staff, with experience teaching globally.
- Charge tuition, the price of which can vary widely between International Schools and cities.
International schools are particularly popular in larger German cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf and Hamburg, reflecting the multicultural population of these cities.
Designed to provide seamless education for students from around the world, International Schools support students who may be relocating frequently, or who will be returning to their home country in the future.
Read More about the Best Cities for Expat Families in Germany
Comparing Public vs. International Schools in Germany
To help you evaluate both options, here’s a side-by-side comparison:
Explore the International Schools of Germany.
Key Considerations for Expat Families
Choosing the education system that’s best for your kids isn’t just about academic outcomes. It’s also about finding a school that matches your values as a family, your child’s personality and ambitions and your family’s long-term goals.
Here are a few questions to consider before making a final decision:
1. How long will we stay in Germany?
- If your stay is short (1–3 years), international schools may provide a smoother transition.
- If you plan to settle long-term, public schools support deeper language learning and cultural integration.
2. How old is our child – and do they speak German?
- Young children often pick up German quickly and may thrive in public schools.
- Older kids or teens might benefit from the educational consistency of an international school.
3. Do we want cultural immersion or continuity?
- Public schools offer full immersion in German life and friendships with local peers.
- International schools provide familiarity with language, teaching methods, and global peer groups.
4. What’s our budget?
- Public schools are free (with small incidental costs).
- International schools charge tuition, which can be significant—especially with more than one child.
5. Where will our child thrive?
- Some children embrace change and thrive in a new system.
- Others feel more secure with familiar structures and language. Consider involving your child in the decision if age-appropriate.
My Experience
Once we moved past the initial challenge of learning the system and how to apply for a place at Krippe, we had to decide: a local Kindergarten, a bi-lingual Kindergarten or an international kindergarten?
Why We Chose Local Kindergarten
It made sense for us to use a local kindergarten – it was in our neighbourhood, we’d heard positive feedback about it and most importantly: there was a spot!
The major benefit of the International Krippe was that they spoke exclusively English. However, one of our main reasons for being in Germany was for our daughter to be bi-lingual. As I speak English with her at home, we felt comfortable with her being educated in only German.
Our Decision for Primary School
Fast forward to now and she’s no longer a Krippe kid! Primary School is now mere months away and we’ve done the hard yards of researching schools, weighing up our options and have again decided in favour of a local school where she will be educated in German.
Why We Chose a Freieschule
A Freieschule is equivalent to a private school. It is not prestigious like private schools in Australia or other countries but rather offers a specific pedagogical approach that differs from mainstream schooling.
It wasn’t that we were unsatisfied with the mainstream Grundschule, but that this specific school offered a range of benefits that we felt suited our daughter and would encourage her ongoing development as a whole person, not just academically.
For us, it was important to remain in a multi-cultural setting, which this school offers us. In addition, it focuses on developing people, not just learners. There is a high priority placed on creative and flexible thinking, something that we value.
This was a hard decision and took a lot of discussion, investigation and negotiation between my husband and me. But I’m comfortable with the decision and am excited to see what the next chapter of my daughter’s life brings.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, the ‘best’ choice looks different for every family—and that’s okay.
Questions for YOU before choosing
As with all major decisions, your first step should be to be clear on your goals and expectations. In this case, you need to be sure that you and your partner are on the same page about all aspects of your move to Germany.
Ask yourselves the following questions to help you gain clarity in your decision:
- What do we want our child/ren to gain from their experience in Germany?
- Is it important that they become fluent in German? If so, why? How would you define fluent?
- How long are we planning to stay?
- Thinking ahead, what academic qualifications will best help my kids reach their dream goals?
- Can we afford an international school? Or would a public school, offering additional language assistance, be suitable?
Last Thoughts on Public Schools vs International Schools in Germany
Making this decision feels hard because it is hard.
But remember: there’s no one right choice. This decision needs to be made with your child and your family in mind.
What’s best for you and your family might not be right for the other expat family down the street.
Making a decision that supports your child’s needs comes from weighing up your values, needs and long-term goals for your family.
🎯 Ready to Take the Next Step?
Need personal guidance? Book a free 15-minute discovery call to talk through your schooling options in Germany.
