School education
In Germany, school attendance is compulsory from the age of six. All children must attend school for a minimum of ten years. There are various different types of school. In general primary school (years 1 to 4) is followed by secondary school, which takes the child through to year 10 or, if studying for the Abitur (the university entrance qualification), through to year 12 or 13.
Which school for my child?
In Münster there are a number of state, church and private schools. State and church schools are free to attend, private schools may require payment of a fee.
- www.muenster.de/stadt/schulamt/international.html
- The online schools database gives an overview:
www.stadt-muenster.de/schulamt/schule-in-muenster/schuldatenbank
For the first four years, your child will attend a primary school, which the parents elect.
From year 5, you can choose from a variety of school types: Hauptschulen (secondary general schools), Realschulen (intermediate secondary schools), Gesamtschulen (comprehensive schools), Sekundarschulen (secondary schools), Gymnasien (grammar schools) and the PRIMUS School.
Some schools (Referenzschulen) are able to offer children from abroad extra support with learning German. A Referenzschule may be any of the school types listed above.
PRIMUS, the city’s model school, and the private schools Montessorischule and Waldorfschule accept children from year 1 to year 10. Waldorfschule also accepts children for the Abitur.
City of Münster Schulamt (Schools Office)
Stadthaus I, Klemensstraße 10, 48143 Münster
Bildungsberatung (Education Advisory Service)
Stadthaus I, Klemensstraße 10, 48143 Münster
- Esther Bückmann, ph. 02 51/4 92 - 40 49
Bueckmanne(at)stadt-muenster.de - Christine Czepok, ph. 02 51/4 92 - 40 42
Czepok(at)stadt-muenster.de - Jasmina Schäfer, ph. 02 51/4 92 - 40 47
SchaeferJ(at)stadt-muenster.de - Monika Spöhle, ph. 02 51/4 92 - 40 76
Spoehle(at)stadt-muenster.de
Advice can be provided in multiple languages if required.
Registering for a school
The school year always starts in summer. For primary schools, children need to be registered by the November before they will start school. For secondary schools, children need to be registered in the February before the start of the new school year. You can choose which school your child will attend, but you may only register for one school.
If you have moved to Münster during the school year and are looking for the right school for your child, please contact the Bildungsberatung (Education Advisory Service) directly.
Every child who attends school is examined by a doctor. The examination is organised by the school and is carried out free of charge.
Afternoon child-care and schooling
Many schools have lessons in the morning only. Most schools are able to provide afternoon childcare and lunch if required. Whether or not you take advantage of this provision is your choice. Some schools have lessons all day. You can find out more about all-day schools and supervision of your child in the afternoon from schools and from the schools database:
Parents have to make an income-based contribution to the costs of all-day school care. The same principle applies for school children as for children in pre-school day-care: Parents only pay for one child, even if they have several children. Financial contribution towards lunch is extra and amounts to between 2.80 and 3.50 euros per day and child. Low-income families can apply for an allowance:
Financial support
State schools in Germany are free to attend. There is no charge for either the parents or the child. Under specific circumstances, you can apply for financial assistance with costs arising in relation to school attendance, e. g. for school books. Further information can be obtained from schools or the Bildungsberatung (Education Advisory Service, see above).
Children with special needs
Every child is in good hands in Münster's schools and nurseries, regardless of his or her abilities. Children with and without special educational needs learn together and from each other.
In Münster, all children can attend a normal school. If a special school might be more appropriate for your child, this option is also available.
- City of Münster Schulamt (Schools Office)
Stadthaus I, Klemensstraße 10, 48143 Münster
ph. 02 51 / 4 92 - 40 09
schulaufsicht(at)stadt-muenster.de
Interpreters / Linguistic and cultural mediators
Schools can request interpreters for meetings with parents that concern issues with legal implications, such as certificates, grades or moving up to the next class.
Meetings between parents and the school can be supported by freelance linguistic and cultural mediators. They have undergone intercultural training and work in more than one language. There is no charge to parents for their services.
The Münster Integration Council is cooperating with the Migrants Self-Organisations to offer intercultural counselling for parents by competent native speakers. Those are volunteers and help to facilitate communication between parents and the various educational institutions. Newly immigrated children and young people should find the best possible access into the German school system and be able to manage the transition from school to professional life. Support is offered in Albanian, Arab, Azerbaijanian, English, French, Greek, Kurdish-Kurmanji, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish and Turkish.
- Münster Integration Council
Dr. Ömer Lütfü Yavuz, Tel. 01 76/25 19 12 57
yavuz(at)muenster.de
Support and assistance for families in challenging situations
Life with children gives rise to many challenging situations. Get help,
- if your child is having difficulty learning
- if there is conflict at school
- if your child is finding day-to-day life at school difficult
In the event of difficulties at school, your child’s form teacher is the first point of contact. Advisory teaching staff or educational social workers are also available at many schools. The Schulpsychologische Beratungsstelle (School Psychology Advisory Service) is there for everyone – parents, teachers and children.
- School Psychology Advisory Service
Klosterstraße 33, 48143 Münster
ph. 02 51/4 92 - 40 81
schulpsy(at)stadt-muenster.de