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Schools in Germany are divided according to the pupils’ academic achievements, their abilities and talents. Hauptschulien are for those whose level of knowledge was not really high at the elementary school. Children there receive the basis instructions in a slower way. The subjects taught at Hauptschule are the same as at Gymnasium or Realschule (the schools of a higher level of studying). In addition to the main general subjects there are specific occupational disciplines.

Generally speaking in almost every German state Haupschule covers 5th-7th grades. In some states pupils study in Hauptshule up to the 10th grade.

After completing the Hauptschule most of the pupils enter part or full-time vocational programs combining it with the further studying. These programs last in general for 2 or three years. All the students are provided with extensive training and receive the certified skills.

Realschule is another alternative for those who completed elementary school. Education in Realschule is liberal and practical at the same time. But liberal orientation is major. Realschule is divided in its turn in two levels. These are the Unterstufe (the 6th-7th grades, a lower level) and the Oberstufe (an upper level covering the 8th-10th grades). In the Unterstufe a strong emphasis is done one pedagogics, while the Oberstufe pays much attention to the disciplines in particular.

After completing the Realschule pupils get the opportunity either to enter a Gymnasium or one of the vocational schools of the upper level, such as : the Berufsaufbauschule, the Berufsfachschule, the Berufliches Gymnasium, the Fachoberschule, the Fachschule or the Fachgymnasium.