Unlike school, children are not required to attend Kindergarten , but most children do go to Kindergarten. They do not learn to read and write but shall develop their social capabilities and get used to sit quiet for a while and pay attention to the teacher. Children may attend Kindergarten for one year or two years. Because they are supposed to start school at the age of seven, they go to Kindergarten when they are five and six years old. They must either attend the public school or must go to a private school.
Elementary school starts at the age of seven and lasts at least eight, but usually nine years.
Some schools offer an additional year for kids who haven't either yet decided what to do after school, haven't found a job to start an apprenticeship or haven't yet reached the age to start what they would like to do. Usually, the children have only one teacher who teaches all subjects. Oberstufenschule lasts three years. There may be other teachers for some special subjects like gym, needlework, cooking and so on. Sekundarschule is the highest level.