A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

The Educational System in Germany: Case Study Findings, June 1999

Glossary

Abitur: The school-leaving exam and certificate of the Gymnasium. Consists of four semesters of classes and four final exams which cover material from those semesters.

Arbeitsgemeinschaft (AG): Extracurricular project groups in all school forms.

berufliches Gymnasium: A Gymnasium with vocational classes and the possibility to complete a standardAbitur or a specialized Abitur (Fachabitur).

Berufsschule: Vocational high school, generally part time.

Förderstufe: "Orientation level," nontracked grades five and six not connected to a specific lower secondary school form.

Gesamtschule (pl. Gesamtschulen): Comprehensive school, grades 5-11 (5-13 in some cases) which are tracked only within some subjects.

Grundschule (pl. Grundschulen): Elementary school, grades one through four.

Grundkurs: basic-level course.

Gymnasium (pl. Gymnasien): Academic high school, college-track education grades 5-13.

Hauptschule (pl. Hauptschulen): Lower-track secondary school, grades 5-9 (5-10 in some states).

Leistungskurs (pl. Leistungskurse): Advanced courses taken in upper-level Gymnasium, grades 12-13.

Mittlere Reife: School-leaving certificate achieved after the 10th grade of the Realschule.

Numerus Clausus: Latin term for admission limits based on grade point average in the Abitur in some subjects in the university system.

Oberstufe: Upper level of the Gymnasium, in some states upper level of the Realschule as well.

Realschule (pl. Realschulen): Middle-track secondary school, grades 5-10.

Sachkunde: Introductory class on the sciences, both natural and social, at the elementary level.

Sonderschule: Special, separate schools for learning disabled, behaviorally disturbed, mentally, and physically disabled children.

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