Family and Children Schools
In Germany, school attendance is mandatory for all children from the age of 6 to 15. There are various schools under state, private or denominational sponsorship, including Hauptschulen, Realschulen, Gymnasien and Gesamtschulen.
Mandatory school attendance and residence permit
Depending on the duration of your stay in Germany, it is mandatory to either register children at a local school or have them declared exempt from mandatory school attendance. A school certificate (or exemption from compulsory schooling) is also often required when applying for a residence permit.
The vast majority of schools in Germany are run by the state. Your children can therefore attend these schools free of charge. In some schools, lessons end at around 14:00. As a rule, however, afternoon care is offered in the form of school daycare centers or after-school care. These facilities offer childcare, meals, homework help and leisure activities for children of working parents. However, they are subject to a fee.
We are happy to help you to locate suitable schools for your children. We recommend that you contact us as soon as possible if you have school-age children.
School Authority (Schulamt)
Information of different school types and schools is also offered by the School Authority in Mannheim (Staatliches Schulamt Mannheim). The Staatliches Schulamt Mannheim is responsible for schools in Heidelberg and Mannheim, the Neckar-Odenwald district and the Rhine-Neckar district.
vacation offers
The city of Heidelberg offers a wide range of vacation activities for children and young people. Families can use the vacation portal to find all-day or selective offers throughout the year. In summer, children living in Heidelberg who have registered for the Ferienpass receive many discounts such as free admission to the outdoor pool and the zoo. They also have the opportunity to try out new things through the various Ferienpass offers.