Gymnasium
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academic secondary school
A type of secondary school in German-speaking countries that is usually attended after primary school and ends with the Abitur, which qualifies students for university study.
Meine Tochter besucht seit diesem Jahr das Gymnasium.
My daughter has been attending the Gymnasium since this year.
Careful: 'das Gymnasium' (academic secondary school) is not a gymnasium or sports hall! It is a type of secondary school that leads to the Abitur. A sports hall is called 'die Turnhalle' in German, and a place to work out is 'das Fitnessstudio'.
Nach der vierten Klasse wechselt er auf das Gymnasium.
After fourth grade, he is switching to the Gymnasium.
The Gymnasium is a central part of the school system in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It usually ends with the Abitur, the highest school-leaving qualification.
Mit einem guten Abitur vom Gymnasium kann man an jeder Universität studieren.
With a good Abitur from the Gymnasium, you can study at any university.
To say that someone attends this school, you use the preposition 'auf'. You say 'geht auf das Gymnasium' (goes/transfers to the Gymnasium, or goes there daily) and 'ist auf dem Gymnasium' (is at the Gymnasium; state).
Nächstes Jahr geht meine Tochter aufs Gymnasium.
Next year my daughter is going to the Gymnasium.
Realschule
'das Gymnasium' and 'die Realschule' are both secondary schools attended after primary school. The important difference lies in the school-leaving qualification and the typical goal. The Gymnasium usually leads to the Abitur, which allows students to study at university. The Realschule normally ends with the Mittlere Reife and often prepares students for vocational training or for further school pathways. Learners may confuse the words because both types of school are for older children and teenagers. If it is about the Abitur, 'Gymnasium' fits; if it is about the Realschulabschluss, 'Realschule' fits.
Nach der vierten Klasse wechselt Lena auf das Gymnasium.
After fourth grade, Lena transfers to the Gymnasium.
Max besucht die Realschule und macht nächstes Jahr seinen Abschluss.
Max attends the Realschule and will graduate next year.