Kids and family

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School enrolment in Hamburg

In Hamburg, all children above a certain age must attend school. We provide you with an overview of the most important information regarding school enrolment and compulsory schooling.

Table Of Contents

Compulsory schooling

All children aged six and above are required to attend school. If your child turns six before 1 July of a given year, they must start school in August of that year. Compulsory schooling lasts for eleven school years and ends at the latest when the child reaches the age of 18. Legal guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school.

 

Appointments before starting school

When your child is between four and a half and five and a half years old, you and your child will be invited to attend an assessment for four-and-a-half-year-olds. During this mandatory appointment, it will be determined whether your child is developing appropriately for their age and whether they can speak and understand German. Here (in German only) you will find current dates and further information about the presentation for four-and-a-half-year-olds.

 

Free choice of school

Parents can express their school preference when registering their child. As a precaution, you should indicate two additional school preferences in case your first choice cannot be accommodated. An overview of all primary schools is available on the map of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (in German only).

At the end of primary school, in the 4th grade, the class teacher makes a recommendation about the child's further school career. Based on this recommendation, you as parents decide at which comprehensive school  or grammar school you want to enrol your child.

If you would like to find out more about the different types of schools in Hamburg, you can find further information here. Information on how children with no knowledge of German are taught can be found in this article.

 

All-day programmes at Hamburg schools

All state schools in Hamburg offer an all-day programme from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Besides there is additional  early, late and holiday care available for a fee (see "Gebührenrechner", in German only).  In all-day care, children can do their homework during school hours and take advantage of a wide range of creative activities. Children can try their hand at sports, music, crafts, art, theatre and other creative activities. Participation is voluntary at most all-day schools.

 

Interpreters for parent-teacher conferences

If necessary, an interpreter can be hired for parent-teacher conferences at your child's school. The school will cover the cost.
If you would like more information about schools in Hamburg, you can contact the School Information Center (SIZ).