Events for school enrollment: information sessions, open days, and registration cut-off dates
Aachen Offers Comprehensive Guide for School Transitions
The city of Aachen has created a comprehensive brochure for secondary schools, which can be found on the website
For children transitioning from kindergarten to elementary school, enrollment typically takes place in the spring before the school year begins in August or September. Parents receive information about registration deadlines and procedures either through their kindergarten or the city’s education office. The selection of public elementary schools (Grundschulen) is generally based on the child’s residential area or catchment zone, but parents can also apply for different schools depending on availability.
As for the transition from elementary school to secondary school, children typically progress to different types of schools based on their academic performance and recommendations from their elementary school teachers. The main options include Gymnasium (academic high school preparing for university), Realschule (intermediate secondary school), Hauptschule (vocational-oriented secondary school), and Gesamtschule (comprehensive school combining different educational tracks). Registration periods for these secondary schools also occur in the spring, with school choice influenced by the student's performance, teacher recommendations, parental preference, capacity, and zoning regulations.
Families seeking additional options may consider international or private schools offering specific curricula such as the European School or international exchange programs.
The website also offers details about information events, open house days, and registration periods for both elementary and secondary schools. A city map with all schools and a calendar with the dates can be found at the same address. However, the website does not provide details about the specifics of the Gymnasium or comprehensive school options, the proximity of schools to homes in Aachen, or whether children should start off at the real or main school first.
For precise and updated registration periods and school options, contacting Aachen’s local education authority or specific schools is recommended. The registration period for elementary schools in the school year 2025/2026 is from Monday, November 3rd to Saturday, November 15th.
The website is a valuable resource for families who are searching for the right school for their children, whether it's a transition from kindergarten to elementary school, or from elementary to secondary school. It offers information about various learning concepts that families might consider for their children, as well as details about info events and what to consider for registration.
In addition, the website provides information for both public and private schools in Aachen. A RSS feed for press releases can be subscribed to at https://www.unsere-webseite.de/rss-feed-pressemitteilungen/rss.xml. For information about individual elementary schools and contact details, families can visit the respective school’s website.
While the website does not specify whether the registration period for the school year 2026/2027 is currently open or not, it remains an essential tool for families navigating the school transition process in Aachen.
During their transition from elementary to secondary school, students in Aachen can explore various learning opportunities, including Gymnasium, Realschule, Hauptschule, and Gesamtschule. To discover more about these options and the registration periods, families are encouraged to visit Aachen's local education authority or specific schools.
Families who wish to consider alternative education, such as international or private schools, can find useful information about specific curricula and registration procedures on the city's website, along with details about info events and what to consider for registration.
