School Types Under One Roof
In comprehensive schools, secondary school, intermediate school, and gymnasium are united under one roof. Students can thus achieve either the secondary school diploma, the intermediate school diploma, or the qualification for the upper secondary level after the 10th grade. The decision for a specific diploma is made during the school years, based on the performance of the students.
Flexible Course Structure
Comprehensive schools usually offer a flexible course structure, where students are taught in different subjects at different levels. These so-called “basic courses” and “advanced courses” allow for individual support depending on the student’s performance level. Students can learn at a gymnasium level in individual subjects while remaining at the level of intermediate school or secondary school in others.
Qualifications at the Comprehensive School
At a comprehensive school, students can achieve various qualifications. In addition to the secondary school diploma and the intermediate school diploma, there is the opportunity to obtain the general university entrance qualification (Abitur). Students who aim for the Abitur attend upper secondary school after the 10th grade. This usually lasts three years and ends with the Abitur examination.
All-Day Programs
Many comprehensive schools in Germany offer all-day programs. This means that students have lessons or childcare offers not only in the morning but also in the afternoon. In addition to subject classes, working groups (AGs) are often offered in various areas such as sports, music, or art. These all-day programs are intended to give students the opportunity to develop and deepen their individual interests.
Individual Support
A central goal of the comprehensive school is the individual support of students. Through the flexible course structure and additional support offers, students should be able to develop their strengths and compensate for weaknesses. Special emphasis is placed on supporting students who have difficulties in certain subjects. At the same time, high-performing students are given the opportunity to take on additional challenges.
Inclusion and Integration
Comprehensive schools often focus on inclusion and integration. They strive to teach students with different learning backgrounds and from various social backgrounds together. This promotes social interaction and mutual support among students. In this context, inclusion means that students with special support needs can also participate in regular classes.
Challenges of the Comprehensive School
Although comprehensive schools offer many advantages, they also face challenges. Critics argue that the demands on teachers are particularly high since they must teach students with very different performance levels. Moreover, it is not always easy to treat the various educational pathways equally. The permeability between the different course levels is sometimes seen as problematic.