Berlin

Public Schools in Berlin

Children usually attend the primary school within their area of residence. School authorities hold school registration (Schulanmeldung) days for six-year-olds, about six months before the start of the new school year. It is important that parents find the relevant information as non-registration is punishable by a fine. Your local school can provide you with the relevant application forms.

To register your child, you will need to take the relevant forms to the local registry office (Bürgeramt), this is located within the town hall for your borough. The department responsible for the allocation of school places is called ‘Abteilung für Jugend und Finanzen’. They will process your registration while you wait. Admission is granted to all children that reside within the area.

The following documents will be necessary:

• Birth certificate
• Passport (for non-German children)
• A certificate from the State Health Office (Staatliches Gesundheitsamt) confirming the child’s good health
• Other documents if relevant, such as residency permit

To find out your closest primary school (Grundschule) visit: http://www.berlin.de/sen/bwf/meine_fragen/wo_finde_ich/schule_kita/anwendung/ (site in German only).

There are also a number of public German schools that provide a bilingual German-English program. You can apply for these even if you do not reside in the area, however conditions apply and admission is not guaranteed. You will also need to write a letter of special consideration to support your application. Specify that your child’s first and/or only tongue is English. While technically this doesn’t have to be in German, it’s always advisable as it will help speed things along.

These are as follows: