academy
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academy
An institution of higher education or research that is often specialized in certain fields such as art, music, science, or the military.
Er hat an der Akademie der Bildenden Künste in München studiert.
He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.
The preposition used depends on the meaning. You study or teach 'an' einer Akademie (at an academy, place of activity), but you are admitted 'in' eine Gelehrtengesellschaft (into a learned society, membership).
Sie lehrt seit fünf Jahren als Professorin an der Kunstakademie.
She has been teaching as a professor at the art academy for five years.
'Akademie' (academy) is often the base word in compounds that describe the field more precisely. Common examples are 'Kunstakademie' (art academy), 'Musikakademie' (music academy), 'Militärakademie' (military academy), or 'Polizeiakademie' (police academy).
Die Aufnahmeprüfung an der Musikakademie ist sehr anspruchsvoll.
The entrance exam at the music academy is very demanding.
When there is talk of 'Mitgliedern' (members), 'Wissenschaftlern' (scientists/scholars), or a 'große Ehre' (great honor), it usually means a learned society and not an educational institution.
Die Mitglieder der Akademie treffen sich einmal im Jahr.
The members of the academy meet once a year.
school
'die Schule' and 'die Akademie' can both have to do with learning, education, or a specialized field. 'Schule' usually means an institution for children and young people, or a particular school of thought or style. 'Akademie' sounds more specialized and higher-level: it is often focused on art, music, science, or another field. Sometimes 'Akademie' also means an association of specialists. The words can be especially easy to confuse in the context of art or music. A 'Kunstschule' (art school) sounds more like a place of learning; a 'Kunstakademie' (academy of art) usually sounds more official and more specialized.
Ben hat sich an einer Akademie für Musik beworben.
Ben has applied to an academy for music.
Die Schule bietet nachmittags einen Kurs für Zeichnen an.
The school offers a drawing course in the afternoons.