Registration at Rahlstedt Gymnasium - FAQ

Dear parents, 

we are very pleased that you would like to enroll your child with us. Here we have compiled some information for you:

 

1. How and when can I enroll my child at Gymnasium Rahlstedt?

The enrollment period for admission to secondary schools in Hamburg is uniformly fixed for all schools. You can find the exact period, for example, here: https://www.hamburg.de/weiterfuehrende-schulen/ or on our homepage from November onwards.

As a rule, enrollments in Hamburg take place after the mid-year break, usually in the first week of February.

At Gymnasium Rahlstedt we conduct short personal enrollment interviews with you and your child. The aim is for you to get to know us and for us to get to know you, and for you to be able to ask questions. The interview has no influence on admission to Gymnasium Rahlstedt.

Please book an online appointment for the enrollment interview. A link to the booking portal can be found on the homepage of our site at the latest from January.

 

2. What do I need to bring for the registration?

Please visit us together with your child. Please bring the following items with you:

Report card of the 4th grade (1st half-year)
Original (for presentation) and copy (to stay with us)

Primary school recommendation with competency grid
Provided by the primary school
Original and copy (both to stay with us)

Filled enrollment form
Provided by the primary school
Original to stay with us

Identity card or registration confirmation for parents and child
Original (for presentation) and copy (to stay with us)

Photo of the child
Please label with name. It does not have to be a passport photo.
To stay with us.

Internal enrollment form
Please download the form [here] and print it out. If you have no way to print, you can also fill it out during the interview on site.

 

The copies can be “normal” photocopies — no certified copy is necessary.

 

3. Should/Do I have to enroll my child at multiple schools?

You conduct the enrollment interview at the school of your choice. Only there do you submit the documents.

On the enrollment form you indicate the primary school wish as well as two other schools that are also possible.

If your child does not get a place at the preferred school, they will automatically be admitted to one of the other schools.

 

4. Is it important that I enroll my child as early as possible within the enrollment period? How are places allocated?

The time of registration has no influence on place allocation. The (only) criteria for allocation are:

1. Is there already a sibling at the desired school?

2. How long is the school commute?

All children receive a place at the chosen school if one of their siblings already attends that school. The remaining places are allocated centrally by the School Authority according to “school distance from the place of residence.”

 

5. Can I enroll my child even if there is no recommendation for the Gymnasium from the primary school?

Generally yes. In Hamburg, the choice of school form is typically up to the parents. The primary school provides a pedagogical recommendation.

Please keep in mind that this recommendation was given by experienced educators who accompanied your child for four years. You should make your decision in such a way that your child can pursue their school career without too many failures and does not lose the joy of learning. And note that attending a city secondary school also keeps the path to the Abitur open for your child (often directly at the chosen city secondary school).

The primary school recommendation has no influence on the allocation of places at the secondary schools.

 

6. Can my child express preferences about who they want to be in a class with?

Your child can express preferences on the information form (see above) about with whom they would like to be in a class. We strive to fulfill at least one of the wishes, but cannot guarantee it.

It is important to us that our new classes are well mixed and that every child has the opportunity to make new friends.

 

7. How large are the classes?

Class size is prescribed by the Hamburg School Law (§87 HmbSG) and is set in each case by the School Authority. For Gymnasien, the maximum size (and typically the size set by the authorities) is 28 students per class.

 

8. How many children are admitted to Gymnasium Rahlstedt?

Our school is designed to admit a maximum of five to seven classes of 28 students each. How many classes there will be in a given school year is decided by the School Authority depending on the number of enrollments and capacity in that year.