2 years of Kindergarten (approx 5+6 years old)
6 years of Primary School (7-12 yrs)
3 years of "Oberstufe" (13-15 yrs)
> the Oberstufe is divided mainly into two categories
- Secondary School (emphasis on theoretical things)
- Real-Schule (emphasis on manual and technical aspects)
--- top excellent pupils may depart straight to the "Gymnasium" enroute to university
--- pupils with problems (different ones in fact) will go for two years to the "Oberschule"
- back to the mainstay of Oberstufe, people CAN leave after 2 years, as then the mandatory 8 years of actual school are done, but teachers generally encourage the pupil to get on into the 3rd year
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a word about the way from Primary School into Secondary School. If the pupil has an average of 4.5 he/she will get into Secondary School without entry exam. If not, but above 4.0 there is an entry-exam.