This also differs based on state within Germany. In Berlin for example the Grundschule is 6 years and then you go to either Gymnasium or Sekundarschule[1] for

This also differs based on state within Germany. In Berlin for example the Grundschule is 6 years and then you go to either Gymnasium or Sekundarschule[1] for another 6, which offers either university-bound education or vocational education but generally everyone attending that wants to and is academically capable can get a highschool diploma out of it, allowing them to go to uni. [1] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekundarschule#Berlin https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekundarschule#Berlin