School types in detail
Every type of school pursues the goal of preparing children and young people in the best possible way for their further education or career path.
Grundschule
Grundschulen are the first stage of schooling. It usually lasts four years (grades 1-4). Basic skills are taught here: Reading, writing, arithmetic - but also social interaction and independent work.
The teachers support each child individually. At the end of Grundschulen, parents/guardians receive a recommendation for the appropriate type of secondary school.
Hauptschule
The Hauptschule provides a basic, practice-oriented education and prepares students for vocational training. Work placements and the "Business and the world of work" learning area support career choices. With the Mittlerer Schulabschluss, it is possible to transfer to a Gymnasium or Berufskolleg in order to obtain a general higher education entrance qualification or to start a dual apprenticeship.
Förderschule
Förderschulen support children with special educational needs. The standard place of support is the general school, but parents can choose a Förderschule.
There are 7 main areas of support: Learning, language, emotional and social development, vision, hearing and communication, intellectual development, physical and motor development. Support needs must be determined as part of an AO-SF procedure.
To the Förderschulen in Bochum
Realschule
The Realschule provides an in-depth general education and lays the foundation for further vocational and academic qualifications. Lessons combine theory and practice, are practice-oriented and take academic aspects into account. The intermediate school-leaving certificate opens up pathways to Gymnasium or Berufskollegs for the general higher education entrance qualification as well as dual training.
Sekundarschule
Sekundarschulen prepare students for both vocational training and the upper secondary school. It works together with an upper secondary school and is usually an all-day school. In NRW, the upper secondary level can be attended at Gymnasien, Gesamtschulen or vocational Gymnasien.
To the Sekundarschulen in Bochum
Gymnasium
The Gymnasium provides an in-depth general education and prepares students for university studies or vocational training. It comprises the lower secondary level (grades 5-10, G9) and the three-year upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II). In North Rhine-Westphalia, the upper secondary level can be attended at Gymnasien, Gesamtschulen or vocational Gymnasien.
Gesamtschule
Gesamtschulen offer a differentiated teaching system that prepares students for vocational training and university studies. The Gesamtschule comprises the lower secondary level (grades 5-10) as well as the three-year upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II), which in North Rhine-Westphalia can also be attended at Gymnasien or Berufliche Gymnasien.
To the Gesamtschulen in Bochum
Berufskolleg
Berufskollegs in NRW offer courses for vocational orientation, preparation for a career or studies, for obtaining a vocational qualification or for further vocational training. At the same time, general education qualifications up to the Abitur can be obtained there. The gymnasiale Oberstufe can be attended at Gymnasien, Gesamtschulen or Berufliche Gymnasien.
To the Berufskollegs in Bochum
Weiterbildungskolleg
The Weiterbildungskolleg offers working people and people with professional experience the opportunity to obtain lower and upper secondary school qualifications. All qualifications can be obtained in the evening secondary school, evening grammar school and college courses. A special offer is "Abitur-Online" with reduced attendance times.
To the Weiterbildungskolleg in Bochum
Private schools
Private schools are state-recognized independent schools. They offer alternative educational concepts - e.g. Montessori, Waldorf or denominational orientations.
The qualifications are equivalent to those of state schools. School fees and special admission requirements may apply.
Klinikschule
The Klinikschule is a municipal school where day clinic and inpatients at the VALEARA Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy in Bochum-Linden are taught. There is another location at Bergmannsheil Bochum, where children and adolescents are taught.