Navigate Berlin school
system with confidence.
A free, independent discovery platform helping families choose the right secondary school at the Grade 6 transition. Explore all 295 state schools.
Understanding the System
The transition from Grade 6 to 7 can be confusing. Here is a quick guide to the four types of secondary schools in Berlin.
Gymnasium
The traditional academic track leading to the Abitur in 12 years. Fast-paced and demanding.
Best for:
Students with strong academic performance and independent learning skills.
Integrierte Sekundarschule (ISS)
Comprehensive schools offering all graduation types. Leads to Abitur in 13 years (less pressure).
Best for:
Students who benefit from a mix of practical and academic learning, or need more time.
Gemeinschaftsschule
Community schools where students learn together from grade 1 to 10 or 13 without early tracking.
Best for:
Families preferring inclusive, often project-based learning without early separation.
Waldorfschule
Alternative education based on Rudolf Steiner. Focuses on holistic, artistic, and practical skills.
Best for:
Families seeking an alternative, less test-driven pedagogical approach.
Application Timeline (2025/2026)
Grundschule Recommendation
January
Primary schools issue the Förderprognose (recommendation for Gymnasium or ISS).
Application Window
February · March
Submit your top 3 choices to your first-choice school. Do not miss this 1–2 week window!
Acceptance Letters
May 2026
Letters are sent out. If not accepted to your top 3, you enter the lottery/assignment phase.
Start of Grade 7
Sep 2026
All the best for the first day at the secondary school.
Key Terms to Know
The German school system uses specific terminology.
Look for the dotted underline throughout the site for quick definitions.
The primary school's recommendation for which secondary school type suits your child best.
If a Gymnasium is oversubscribed, they admit students based on their grade average. E.g., an NC of 1.4 means you need at least a 1.4 average.
All-day school. Important for working parents to check if afternoon care is guaranteed.
Highly sought-after free bilingual public schools. Requires native-level fluency in the partner language.