The German and American school systems differ in many ways. It starts with the grades: In Germany, we don't have A's and B's. Instead we have numbers from 1 to 6. You pass a class with a 1, 2, 3, or 4 and you fail it with mark 5 and 6. Only in 11th and 12th grade you get points: 0 up to 15.

The German students usually have to take about 15 classes a year. You probably think now that we have more than 10 hours of school each day, but this is not right. Our schedule is different each weekday. The following picture shows an example of a German high school schedule (10th grade):

As you can see, German high schools don't offer practical classes like auto mechanics or culinary arts. Our school system is based on academics only what makes it even harder because you really have to learn much.

It's also interesting that about 30 students have the same schedule for the whole school year because you cannot choose any classes if you are not in 11th or 12th grade. Only in 11th and 12th grade you can adjust your schedule a little bit to the classes you like. Because of this class system, the team spirit in class is more developed. A "class" usually organizes a class trip per year. The whole class including two teachers travels for about 5 days to some place that was chosen by the students. In 10th grade, it's also possible to travel abroad.

Another important point that differs from the American school system is school spirit. German students usually don't like school at all, caused by the high learning standards. So there is no time left for any school spirit activities such extra-curricular activities after school. Some schools have their own basketball or soccer teams, but they aren't as well developed as the American teams (practicing). Also, German schools don't have their own mascots. We are glad to get out of school as soon as possible, just like most of the American students.

I thought it is pretty hard to come along with only one week off for Christmas and another one as Spring break in American school. In Germany, you get two weeks off as "fall vacation", one week off for Christmas, two weeks in Feburary ("winter vacation"), one and a half for Easter, plus several holidays. All schools are closed on official holidays.

German students get only 2 report cards per year. Actually it's only one because the one you receive around Crhistmas only counts as an information about your grades. In my state, you are also been evaluated for your behavior, your level of being hard working, your class participation, as well as for your (ordentlichkeit). In addition, your "class" teacher writes an evaluation about you that is about 8 sentences long.

In my whole school life, I haven't experience one fight between students in Germany during school. This is probably the reason why there are no cameras. There are also no police officers or nurses employed in the German schools.

I need to say that the relationship between a student and a teacher is shaped by respect. You cannot talk about your private life and problems with a teacher. Only a few are open and friendly enough to do so...

In my school (with very strict rules compared to other schools), you definately received a 6 (or a zero) if you forgot your homework. No excusses. And you have to turn it in the next day, but most of the teachers will take one grade off. Unrespectful behavior such as talking and refusing to do your work results in a 6, too. In bad cases, will be suspended from school and it's up to you to find you another one (that accepts you).

"Oh my god, can you turn the air on, please, I'm burning up!!!" or "I'm freezing to death!" are phrases I've heard a lot in America. The weather is just like the one in Washington D.C., so it's getting pretty hot in Germany too. But here it comes: German schools are not airconditioned! So most of the Americans would suffer in German schools because it gets really hot during the day. But one good thing comes with it: If it gets too hot (85 degrees Fahrenheit (shadow) at 11 o'clock), the length of the periods is shortened from 45 minutes to 30 minutes.

Another advantage German studens have is the following: We don't have any substitute teachers. If a teacher is sick, or if he/she has something else to do, the class is cancelled. If it's the last period you can go home early or you can sleep longer if it's the first one. I happens only a few times per year that another teacher (not a substitute) has time to teaches a class he/she usually doesn't have.

As you can read in the "Laws" category, the legal smoking age differs from the one in the United States. Therefore, all students that are 16 years old or older are allowed to smoke in school. Between the periods, there is usually a 10-minute break. Exactly enough time to smoke a cigarette...