There are state schools in the majority. Some schools are in ecclesiastical sponsorship, but awarded the state-recognized degrees. There are some private schools that charge different levels of school fees (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/privatschulen-3829).
After elementary school there are two types of secondary general education schools in Bremen:
High school (Oberschule)
The “Oberschule” addresses all students in their different abilities, learning types and preferences with their teaching offer. Pupils with learning difficulties and high-performing (gifted) pupils receive individualized learning offers and support.
From the 7th grade onwards, the pupils will be taught according to their individual abilities at a basic or extended level of requirements ("subject-specific differentiation").
At Oberschule, the following educational qualifications may be obtained: Simple VET maturity in grade 9 or 10, advanced VET maturity in grade 10, middle School graduation in grade 10 and graduation from high school (Abitur) in grade 12 or 13 (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/oberschule-3724).
High School (Gymnasium)
The Gymnasium offers students with very good performances an increased learning speed at a uniform level of performance and lead to the Abitur after 12 years. The Gymnasium is particularly suitable for pupils who can acquire the required learning content in a shorter time. In Gymnasium all educational qualifications can be acquired (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/gymnasium-3739).
Werkschule
The Werkschule is intended for students who have difficulties in theoretical learning and who need more time to learn, but who like to work practically and gain the knowledge they need through practical job-related work. In Werkschule, 8th grade students can apply. At the end of grade 11, the advanced VET maturity can be acquired (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/werkschule-3762).
Vocational schools
At VET schools, young people have diverse opportunities for vocational training and the opportunity to obtain various educational degrees. This can be done before, during or after vocational training as well as in other specialized educational programs (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/berufsbildende_schulen-102584).
Vocational High School
The vocational high schools in the fields of nutrition, design, multimedia, health, social education, information technology, mechatronics, aerospace engineering, architecture / civil engineering, design / media technology, business administration / accounting and business information technology, law lead in a three-year education to the Abitur, the General university entrance qualification (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/berufliches_gymnasium-102786).
Vocational School (Berufsschule)
Young people attend vocational school during their vocational training and learn vocational and general skills (Dual education). The vocational school usually takes three years. With completion of the training and the vocational school, the pupils receive a degree in the respective vocational training and a vocational school degree. Apprentices without a school-leaving certificate receive the simple VET maturity with the completion of the vocational school. Under certain conditions, a middle School graduation can be achieved with the vocational school degree (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/duale_berufsausbildung-102785). In a double-quantification course, interested pupils have the opportunity to acquire the university of applied science entrance qualification as part of their vocational training. For this, additional lessons must be completed and an additional examination must be taken.
Specialist Vocational School (Berufsfachschule)
Specialist Vocational schools prepare pupils for a vocational training in a one-year course or they offer a vocational education with a professional degree. Classes include both general and vocational subjects and, unlike the vocational school, usually also provide the practical part of vocational training. The specialist vocational school with vocational qualification concludes with a state examination. The following professional qualifications are offered in Bremen: Biological-technical assistant, chemical-technical assistant, physical-technical assistant, information technology assistant with focus on information and network system technology, mathematical-technical assistant, with focus on economics and business informatics, design assistant with focus on graphics, economics assistant with focus on information processing, economics assistant with focus on foreign languages, Pharmaceutical Technical Assistant (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/berufsfachschule_mit_berufsabschluss-105664).
Double Qualifying Programs
At the vocational school for assistants there is the possibility to complete a recognized vocational training simultaneously and integrative and to obtain a study qualification. The combination of graduation from high school and vocational training takes four years and is offered for the following professions: Information Technology Assistant with a focus on information and network systems engineering and business assistant with a focus on foreign languages.
The combination of University of applied science entrance qualification and vocational training lasts three years and is offered for the profession Mathematical-technical assistant with a focus on economics and business informatics (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/doppelqualifizierende_bildungsgaenge-102789).
Two-year higher trade school
The two-year higher trade school prepares for an apprenticeship in commercial professions. Pupils who have achieved a middle school graduation can significantly improve their chances of getting an apprenticeship in the professions of logistics, wholesale and foreign trade by attending this program. In addition, with the completion of the two-year secondary school, the school part of the University of applied sciences entrance qualification is acquired (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/zweijaehrige_hoehere_handelsschule-102790).
Fachoberschule
The “Fachoberschule” (FOS) builds on a middle school degree and provides a general, theoretical and practical education. At Fachoberschule the University of applied sciences entrance qualification can be obtained after passing the final exam. Graduates with above-average qualifications can obtain the subject-related higher education entrance qualification and, if they have obtained the necessary knowledge in a second foreign language, the general university entrance qualification (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/fachoberschule-102787).
Berufsoberschule
The attendance of the Berufsoberschule (BOS) requires the university of applied science entrance qualification and a completed vocational training or a corresponding multi-year professional activity and lasts one year. Upon passing the final examination, the subject-related higher education entrance qualification and, if the necessary knowledge in a second foreign language is proved, the general university entrance qualification can be obtained (https://www.bildung.bremen.de/berufsoberschule-102788).