Compulsory Education

Communities are responsible for the public schools. To register a child for public school one must contact the community of residence or the school administration.

Compulsory education consists of three consecutive levels:

• 2 years of nursery (Kindergarten)
• 6 years of primary school (Primarschule). Children with special needs or skills receive additional support.
• 3 years of upper-level school (Sekundarstufe I). Upper-level school includes three different school types (Oberschule, Realschule, and Sekundarschule) with different performance levels.
• Non-German-speaking children receive special support at all levels.

Public school is free of charge. Boys and girls are taught together. The curriculum is confessionally neutral. Most children and young people attend public school (95%). There are private schools. Parents who wish to send their children to private school must pay for school themselves.

Besides compulsory classes, children can attend classes in local language and culture (Heimatliche Sprache und Kultur, HSK). The children and youths learn to better understand, speak, read, and write the language. They learn about history, geography, festivals, and traditions, for example. Attending these classes is voluntary and usually costs money, but it is recommended.

Schools are obligated to inform parents of everyday school life and of their child's performance at school. For this reason, schools conduct meetings between teachers and parents (Elterngespräche), parents' evenings (Elternabende), and information events. Participation is recommended. Parents are responsible for their child's attendance at school. If a child cannot attend (e.g. illness), parents must inform the school. If parents show interest in the school's interests, they are supporting their child.

Questions regarding school should always be directed to the teacher first. In return, parents are the first contact should the teacher have questions regarding a child or a child's needs. In general, it is important that parents communicate and work with teachers.