Grammar school

The grammar school program is aimed at intellectually gifted, capable and willing pupils and prepares them for attending university or for the professional and working world. It is designed to provide a broad and in-depth general education and also allows pupils to focus on their particular abilities and inclinations.

The grammar school course leads pupils to the general higher education entrance qualification - the Abitur. In the lower secondary level, it comprises grades 5 to 9 or 5 to 10, which are followed by a three-year upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II). This means that pupils at grammar schools can achieve the Abitur after eight years (G8) or the Abitur after nine years (G9). The gymnasium course can also be completed at integrated and cooperative comprehensive schools.

In the gymnasiale Oberstufe, the focus is on preparing students for academic work, which is why particular emphasis is placed on independent work and learning. The first year of the upper secondary level (introductory phase) serves, among other things, to balance out the different prerequisites that the students bring with them. Only the results of the second and third year of the upper school (qualification phase) count towards the Abitur.

The Abitur examination comprises three written (including the two advanced courses) and two oral examination subjects. For one of the two oral examination subjects, a presentation examination or a special learning achievement may be chosen instead of an oral examination. Every pupil must take an examination in German and mathematics.

It is possible to obtain the school-based part of the advanced technical college entrance qualification after just two years in the upper secondary school. Afterwards, at least one year of work experience or an internship leads to the final issue of the Fachhochschulreife certificate.

In Hesse, the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs is responsible for the school system.

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