Enrollment in Grundschule

Compulsory schooling begins on August 1 of the same calendar year for children who have reached the age of six by the beginning of September 30.

The school administration office informs parents or legal guardians in writing about the upcoming school enrollment procedure one year before school enrollment. The letter is accompanied by an application form and an information brochure.

The choice of Grundschule is free. Every child is entitled to attend the Grundschule closest to their place of residence, provided that the admission capacity of the chosen Grundschule allows this.

Children whose compulsory schooling begins on August 1 of a given year must be registered at the desired school by November 15 of the previous year at the latest.

A final admission decision by the Grundschulen will be communicated in December of the previous year.

The legal basis for this is the North Rhine-Westphalia Education Act (Schulgesetz) and the Ordinance on the Educational Program in Grundschulen (Grundschule Training Regulations) with the corresponding administrative regulations.

School enrollment for first-year students for the 2026/2027 school year

According to the Fifth School Law Amendment Act of April 5, 2011, compulsory schooling begins on August 1 of the same calendar year for children who have reached the age of six by September 30. Children born after September 30 can only be admitted as part of early school enrollment.

As in previous years, parents/guardians have the opportunity to enrol their child at a Grundschule of their choice, regardless of where they live. However, there is only a legal entitlement to attend the school closest to their place of residence, provided that the admission capacity of the chosen Grundschule is sufficient.

Compulsory schooling applies to all children born between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020. As a parent or guardian, you are free to choose the type of school (community, denominational or ideological school).

This means that you have the option of registering your child at a Bochum community elementary school, denominational school or ideological school of your choice, regardless of where you live. However, your child only has a legal right to attend the school closest to his/her place of residence - this can also be the sub-location of a primary school network (§ 1 Para. 2 of the Ordinance on the Course of Education at Primary Level - AO - GS dated March 23, 2005).

The notification letters with the registration form will be sent to parents or legal guardians from August 22, 2025. The registration of children to be enrolled in school will take place between September 8, 2025 and September 19, 2025. Parents will then receive an invitation from the school management to come and meet their children in person at the schools.