The German education system is divided into several stages, starting with Kindergarten for children aged 3 to 6. After Kindergarten, students enter Grundschule (primary school) from ages 6 to 10, where they learn basic subjects like math, reading, and writing. Following primary school, students are placed in different secondary schools based on their academic performance. The main types are Hauptschule, Realschule, and Gymnasium, each offering different educational paths. After completing secondary education, students can pursue vocational training or higher education at universities or Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences).