Type of school, type of school and school attendance
To help parents and guardians, the Stuttgart School Administration Office has compiled the central framework conditions for school attendance, an introduction to the types of school and school types as well as current changes. General information and contact persons are also provided by the Stuttgart State Education Authority (opens in a new tab) and the Stuttgart Regional Council (opens in a new tab) (Schools and Education Department).
An overview of municipal measures in the school sector as well as interesting and helpful information on the subject can be found under Schools. The Welcome Center Stuttgart (opens in a new tab) offers multilingual information for families with a migration background.
All schools at a glance
The School Finder Stuttgart offers support in choosing a school. In the school directory of the state capital, you can use the filter search to select from currently around 160 public schools and numerous privately run schools.
Elementary Schools
After the summer vacations, a new phase of life begins for many children as they start school. In Stuttgart alone, this affects around 4,500 girls and boys every year. The elementary schools run by the state capital and numerous private schools are preparing for the new arrivals. As a rule, the place of residence decides which school the child will attend; the private schools have their own admission requirements.
The elementary schools in particular play a key role: As a common, currently four-year basic level of the school system, it is their very special task to impart basic knowledge and skills to the students and to introduce them very gradually, with initially playful forms, to school learning and work.
School Enrollment
All-day elementary schools
Further training program for teaching and educational staff at all-day elementary school
Fee-based childcare services offered by the city of Stuttgart
Secondary schools
In addition to the individual abilities and inclinations of the child, the orientation and educational concept of the type of school play a central role in the choice of secondary school. The joint learning of disabled and non-disabled children and young people (inclusion) is also an important task for all types of school.
Whatever the decision, it does not have to be final. The school career remains permeable, i.e. it is possible to switch between school types. In addition, vocational schools, for example, with their wide range of educational options, also offer the opportunity to achieve higher qualifications. And even without an Abitur, it is now possible to study at university under certain conditions.
Registration can only be made directly at a single secondary school. The following must be presented when registering
- the child’s birth certificate, family record book or a valid passport
- the elementary school recommendation issued by the elementary school
- confirmation that the child is attending grade 4 in the respective school year
- if enrolling at a grammar school without a corresponding elementary school recommendation: result of the potential test
Note: The state government is currently working on a comprehensive education reform that may have an impact on the elementary school recommendation, the registration process and the range of secondary schools on offer. The draft bill for this is currently in the consultation process. Please inform yourself about possible changes on the state government’s website (opens in a new tab).
Werkrealschulen
Realschule
Community School
High school
All-day programs at secondary schools
Vocational schools
There are many different training and further education opportunities for young people at vocational schools. Thanks to the colorful selection of varied offers, young people can pursue their interests and talents and gradually develop towards their professional future.
The vocational schools offer:
- Vocational training in the dual system from professions in the social sector to trades, industry and commerce to IT profiles, as well as training professions at special vocational schools,
- General school-leaving qualifications from the Hauptschulabschluss to the Mittlerer Bildungsabschluss and the Fachhochschulreife through to the Abitur,
- further vocational training with a wide range of technician, master craftsman and other technical schools
For vocational training courses in the dual system and the three-year vocational colleges with practice partners, registration takes place via the training company or with the consent of the practice partner. Special vocational schools have been set up at some vocational schools in Stuttgart. All offers are listed in the Vocational Schools leaflet. Further information can be obtained from the vocational schools, special vocational schools and training companies.
With a few exceptions, applications for a place at a two-year vocational school, a vocational college or a three-year vocational grammar school in public sponsorship are made state-wide via an online application procedure (BewO) (opens in a new tab).
With a single application for admission, you can apply online to several vocational schools for different courses at the same time. The exceptions for the above-mentioned types of school are also listed on this website. Applications must be submitted by March 1 at the latest after the half-year report card has been issued.
If you are interested in further vocational training such as technician, master craftsman and other technical schools, the vocational schools will provide information about their courses and application deadlines.
The respective schools will be happy to advise you on all questions relating to educational qualifications. The contact details of the municipal vocational schools in Stuttgart as well as more detailed information on the individual courses can be found in the following leaflet:
Corresponding courses are also offered by independent schools (private schools). Further information on this can be found on the homepage of the Verband Deutscher Privatschulen Landesverband Baden-Württtmeberg e.V. (Association of German Private Schools (opens in a new tab) ).
Compulsory vocational education
Special education and counseling centers
The special education and counseling centers are responsible for the various special focuses and offer students with and without disabilities the opportunity to develop individually. The special focuses are emotional and social development, mental, physical and motor development, learning, hearing, vision, speech as well as students in prolonged hospital treatment.
Depending on the school, different degrees can be earned at the special education and counseling centers, for example, a secondary school diploma or the Mittlere Reife. The special education and counseling centers with the special focuses “learning” and “mental development” offer independent educational programs.
Extracurricular education and care
The extracurricular education and care (ABB) services at Stuttgart schools supplement the existing education and care services offered by secondary schools, special education and counseling centers and vocational schools.
The services include
- Support with homework
- Learning support
- Leisure activities in the creative, artistic and sporting fields
- Computer courses
- Offers with vocational preparation content
Each school determines the topics and the number of courses for itself. Only the duration of the courses (at least one school semester) and the minimum number of participants (5 children) are specified. Parents can register their children for the activities via the school. A binding registration of the children for at least one school semester is required.
A fee is charged for the ABB offers. Special conditions apply for special educational and counseling centers and holders of a Bonuscard+Kultur or Stuttgart Family Card. The ABB offers are carried out by volunteers, so-called youth guides. For their commitment, the youth guides receive a maximum expense allowance of 15 euros per hour.