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Transfer to school; information on the transfer procedure

The transfer procedure from elementary school to secondary school should ensure that every pupil attends the secondary school that best suits their individual abilities.

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Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus

Street address

Salvatorstr. 2
80333 München

Postal address

80327 München

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Procedure details

The first choice of school after elementary school does not mean a final decision about the child's school career. The Bavarian school system offers each pupil an individual educational path. The performance of children and young people can change over the course of their school life. Every pupil is therefore regularly given the opportunity to adapt their own educational path to new circumstances and goals. This prevents under- or overachievement and makes success at school more likely. All schools in Bavaria offer several options for achieving school-leaving qualifications. In principle, the following applies: with every qualification achieved, the path to the next higher school goal is open. According to the principle of permeability, every secondary school offers the intermediate school leaving certificate.

Parents have the right to play an active role in shaping their child's educational path. The decision to attend a secondary school after elementary school is not a final decision on the school-leaving qualification to be achieved. There are admission requirements for each type of school. These are intended to help parents find the right path for their child. When transferring from elementary school, these conditions mainly relate to the child's performance in German, mathematics and home and subject lessons as well as their approach to learning. They ensure that nothing is demanded of the child in the future that they are currently unable to achieve. The admission requirements therefore clarify which requirements profile and therefore which type of school best suits the child.

In Bavaria, the transfer from elementary school to secondary school is based on different elements that are brought together in a balanced way:

  • Transfer certificate with school career recommendation,
  • the opportunity to attend trial lessons at the receiving school type and
  • the will of parents.

The high degree of permeability in the Bavarian school system ensures that once a school career decision has been made, it does not have to be final. The Bavarian education system is a system of recurring opportunities and possibilities.

You can find detailed information about the regulations on transfers to secondary schools under "Transfer regulations at a glance" (see "Related links").

  • Special schools; registration

    The special school is attended by children and young people with special educational needs that cannot be met by other schools. They must be registered at the special school.

  • Grammar school; registration

    The grammar school comprises grades 5 to 13 and registration is required to attend.

  • Middle school; registration

    The secondary school comprises grades 5 to 9 and up to 10 (in the Mittlere-Reife-Zug). Registration is required to attend.

  • Secondary school; registration

    The Realschule comprises grades 5 to 10 and provides general and pre-vocational education, ends with a final examination and awards the Realschule certificate. Young people must be enrolled at the Realschule to which they are to be admitted.

  • Business school; registration

    Registration is required to attend a business school.

Status: 26.06.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus
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