School, Kindergarten

The whole German school system is available at no charge. It gets a little more complicated if you want your children to be educated in other languages than German.

The International School Schuldorf-Bergstraße offers a bilingual preschool (address below). Another address is the child care center of the European Space Operation’s Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt which is located in Griesheim close to Darmstadt:

ESOC Child Care Center
Zeppelinstraße 3
64347 Griesheim
Tel. 06155 - 869622

It is a multilingual, multinational care facility that will also serve parents at other international organisations in the area.
You should contact the Kindergarten of your choice as early as possible!
If you cannot find a place anywhere, contact the emergency contact point (Vergabe von Notplätzen) under the telephone numbers 06151 – 132349 or 06151 – 132469.

Primary School (Grundschule): Children from ages six through nine must attend a primary school (Grundschule). In the final year (4th grade) parents and teachers evaluate the child´s next level of schooling together.

General School (Hauptschule): The Hauptschule starts with 5th grade and goes through to the 9th grade. It qualifies for an apprenticeship. After completing the Hauptschule, one can go on to a vocational school, which usually lasts about two years.

Advanced General School (Realschule): Realschule allows either an apprenticeship or continuation of education. If a student has performed well in the Realschule, he or she can also transfer to the Gymnasium.

Gymnasium: This school prepares students to enter university. It ends with the 12th or 12½ th grade and a week-long series of exams for the "Abitur".

Comprehensive School (Gesamtschule): The comprehensive school (Gesamtschule) combines the three levels described above. It allows students to switch between different tracks without changing buildings.

Beginning in the seventh grade various disciplines offer classes in English as part of a bilingual learning track (that is: it is still necessary to learn German). Address:

Ludwigshöhstr. 105,
D - 64285 Darmstadt
Tel: 06151-132563;
Fax: 06151-133413

Located in Seeheim-Jugenheim (very close to Darmstadt, connected by tramway), this is Germany’s first public international school. It is in the process of construction.
The bilingual preschool opened in 2003. It offers a full-day schedule with a tuition of 650 euros per month.
The International School Schuldorf-Bergstraße opened in 2005. The language of instruction is English. It is located on the same campus (which is shared with a German comprehensive school). Today (2007), classes up to the 4th grade exist (the school will very probably at least “grow with these classes”). Since the school is publicly owned, tuition remains low (250 Euros per month) in comparison to other international schools.
The full-day program incorporates intensive language programs in German. The school also offers a full daycare program, meals and several extra-curricular activities.
Address:

International School Schuldorf-Bergstraße /
Kooperative Gesamtschule Sandstraße
D – 64342 Seeheim-Jugenheim
Tel: 06257-97030;
Fax 06257-999 850

This is a primary School that offers French lessons for children with a French mother tongue (the other lessons are in German). Address:

Elly-Heuss-Knapp-Schule
Kohlbergweg 1
D – 64287 Darmstadt
Tel.: 06151 - 43017 0;
Fax: 06151 – 41523

There are many international schools in the Rhein – Main – Region.