Authority for Schools, Family and Vocational Training

Information on early enrollment in primary school

Prerequisites

As part of the admission procedure, it must be determined that the child can meet the requirements of attending school in the first year of primary school.

To do this, please introduce your child to the primary school in January of the year in which you would like him or her to attend.

Documents required

• An informal parental application must be submitted by the legal guardian to the first choice school during the annually published registration period (in January of each year)
• Confirmation of participation in the language assessment, proof of adequate vaccination or immunity against measles or a medical contraindication to measles vaccination
• Evidence of the child's developmental level (this applies to children who turn six after 30 June but before 1 July of the following year)
• If necessary, application to attend a school other than the responsible (so-called list-leading) school

Please note

Deadlines

An application must be submitted during the so-called registration period, which is published annually by the Authority for Schools and Vocational Education and the primary schools.

Procedure

Such an application may only be rejected for reasons relating to the child’s intellectual, psychological, physical and linguistic development.

The law does not allow limited spatial, organizational and personnel requirements at school as a reason for refusal.

If the application is approved, the child will be registered as a candidate in the normal procedure. All children who are to start school early must be notified to the school medical service so that the school entrance examination can be carried out in accordance with Section 34 Paragraph 5 of the HmbSG. The notification is made by the school on form AS 22B.

If the school management has doubts as to whether the registered child is able to successfully participate in first-grade classes based on his or her intellectual, psychological, physical and linguistic level of development, a school medical examination should also be carried out in accordance with Section 34 Paragraph 1 HmbSG, also using form AS 22B.

Processing time

Depends on the individual case; notification of admission will only be given after completion of the central admission procedure for year 1, approximately 3 months after registration.

Fees

No

Legal remedies

A negative decision will be justified in writing, accompanied by information on legal remedies and sent to the legal guardians by registered mail.




You can appeal against a decision within one month.




This does not have a suspensive effect. However, costs may arise if the objection procedure is completely or partially unsuccessful.

Legal basis

Hamburg - § 38 HmbSG | State standard Hamburg | Start of compulsory schooling | § 38 - Start of compulsory schooling | valid from: 28.10.2009 (landesrecht-hamburg.de)




Hamburg - § 34 HmbSG | State standard Hamburg | School medical, school dental, school psychological and special education examinations | § 34 - School medical, school dental, school psychological and special education ... | valid from: 08.09.2018 (landesrecht-hamburg.de)