Hey dear readers
Yesterday I checked some of my stories for mistakes (I did not correct everything, only those pretty obvious to a non-native speaker because I simply don't have the time, sorry). What I did notice, however, was that I might have missed out on some explanations and background knowledge you may need for understanding what I am writing about.
In some of my stories I write about Rina's time at school (e.g. 'Magic' Chapter 1). I know I could just add an AN, but I think it is better to explain it this way for those who are already beyond that chapter.
1. The German (Bavarian) Education System
German children usually enter elementary school at the age of 6. In the 4th and last grade the get a special report card that states their average and a recommendation what school the are suited to attend.
There are five schools for secondary education:
Gymnasium: Highest level, grades 5 - 12 or 13 (it was changed from 9 to 8 years and then back to 9 - called G8 or G9), you need at least an average of 2.33 to enter without something we call 'Probeunterricht' which means you have to spend three days at the school and do some sort of entrance exam, written and oral, in maths and German to prove the student's suitability, despite their grades in elementary school, the last two years are spend in the 'Oberstufe': were the students are prepared for the final exams at the end of the last semester called 'Abitur' (A-Level) after which you can apply to an university, students who pass the tenth grade automatically have the 'Mittlere Reife', the diploma of the Realschule.
Realschule: Grades 5 - 10, slightly lower level, an average of at least 2.66 is needed to attend without 'Probeunterricht', teaching of more 'realistic' skills like sewing or cooking, after graduation the student can begin vocational training at a school called 'Berufsfachschule' or in a company.
Hauptschule: Grades 5 - 9, average 3.0 and lower, offers a basic level of education, there is the possibility to do an M-Zug (grade 7 - 10, which means that students are given the oppurtunity to get the 'Mittlere Reife'. After graduating students usually start vocational training at a 'Berufsfachschule'.
Gesamtschule: Includes all the three types mentioned above and is an alternative to this split system.
Sonderschule/Förderschule: "A school catering for students who have special educational needs due to severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities or behavioral problems" (Wikipedia/Special Schools).
2. Grading
Grading in Germany starts in third grade of elementary school. The grades are numbers from 1 - 6:
1 - very good
2 - good
3 - satisfactiory
4 - suficient
5 - inadequat
6 - insufficient/failed
In order to pass a class you can only have one 5 and no 6 in your report card.
At the Gymnasium in the Oberstufe there are grades from 0 to 15 which are credits:
15 - 13 credits: 1 (15 credits are extremely hard to get)
12 - 10 credits: 2
9 - 7 credits: 3
6 - 4 credits: 4
3 - 1 credit(s): 5
0 credits: 6 ( but you have to basically hand in an empty sheet to get this grade)
Should there be any more questions about different systems or similar things, feel free to ask.