The Gymnasium provides an in-depth general education that enables students to continue their education at a university. It comprises grades 5 to 12.

In Thuringia, a child can attend a Gymnasium if they have passed an entrance examination or if they have achieved at least a "good" grade in German, mathematics and home and subject studies in their 4th grade report card or have received a recommendation from the respective elementary school for transfer to a Gymnasium at the request of their parents.

At the Gymnasium, promotion to grade 10 confirms an educational level equivalent to the Hauptschulabschluss.

At the end of grade 10, all students are subject to a central performance assessment, which plays a key role in determining promotion to the course phase of the upper Gymnasium level. Promotion to grade 11 confirms an educational level equivalent to the Realschulabschluss.

The course phase of the gymnasiale Oberstufe in grades 11 and 12 is no longer organized in class form, but in course form. The results of these half-year courses are largely included in the Abitur certificate. A high degree of independence is expected, which is also essential when subsequently taking up a course of study.

Students who leave the Gymansium without the Abitur can acquire the academic part of the Fachhochschulreife.

• Further information can be found on the website of the Thuringian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport