Admissions process for Berlin secondary schools

Is your child in 6th grade and you're looking for a secondary school? Here you'll find the key information about the enrollment process for 7th grade at public Gymnasien, Integrated Secondary Schools (ISS), and Community Schools in Berlin.

Process and Deadlines

The enrollment process follows a fixed schedule each year:

  1. 1 Research (from autumn)

    Visit open days and learn about schools in your district and beyond. Use the Directory of Secondary Schools published by the Senate Department.

  2. 2 Registration (March)

    You register your child at the desired first-choice school in March. Your primary school will provide a registration form with the Förderprognose (academic recommendation). You can also name a second and third choice.

  3. 3 Selection process (April–May)

    Schools conduct their admissions process. If there are more applications than places, the legally defined selection criteria apply (see below).

  4. 4 Decision letter (June)

    You receive the admission decision by post. If your child doesn't get a place at the first-choice school, they will be assigned to another school.

First, second, and third choice

You can name up to three schools when registering. The first-choice school has priority. Only if no place is available there will the second and third choices be considered.

Your choice is not limited to your home district — you can choose schools anywhere in Berlin.

Selection criteria when oversubscribed

When a school receives more applications than it has places (oversubscribed), places are allocated according to a legally regulated process:

  • Hardship cases and siblings (up to 10%): Places for special hardship cases and children with siblings at the school.
  • School selection (60% of places): The school selects based on its own criteria, e.g. grade average, competencies in specific subjects, interviews, or tests.
  • Lottery (30% of places): The remaining places are allocated by lottery. Siblings are given preference in the draw.

Gymnasium specifics

The deciding factor is the grades in German, Mathematics, and the first foreign language — one grade each from the 2nd semester of grade 5 and the 1st semester of grade 6 (6 grades total).

  • Grade sum of 14 or less = eligible for Gymnasium
  • If the grade sum exceeds 14, the child can take a centralized Probeunterricht (aptitude test). Passing the test also grants Gymnasium eligibility. Pass rates have been very low so far: in 2025, 2.6% passed (51 of 1,937), in 2026 only 1.2% (15 of 1,223).
  • Since the 2024 School Act reform, the Gymnasium no longer has a probationary year. Eligibility is determined before enrollment.

ISS and Community Schools

  • At Integrated Secondary Schools and Community Schools there is no entry restriction based on the Förderprognose. All children can apply.
  • Many ISS and Community Schools offer their own upper secondary level (Oberstufe) or cooperate with an upper secondary center, making the Abitur possible here as well.

Special regulations

  • Bilingual and classical language tracks: Some schools offer special profiles (e.g. bilingual English, Latin/Greek). Special admission criteria may apply.
  • Admission from Grade 5: Some Gymnasien admit students from 5th grade. A separate process applies.
  • Music or sports-focused schools: These schools may conduct aptitude tests.

Tips for parents

  • Visit several open days — your personal impression matters.
  • Check the demand ratios on this website: oversubscribed schools mean not all children can be admitted. Enrollments
  • Choose your second and third choices carefully and strategically. They should be schools where your child would also feel comfortable. However, very popular schools will likely be unable to consider second or even third choices due to the high number of first-choice applications.
  • Learn about the selection criteria of individual schools — these can differ.

Official information and sources

Note: This page summarizes the key rules and does not constitute legal advice. The binding regulations can be found in the Berlin School Act and related ordinances. Information as of school year 2025/26.