Free places in Berlin's schools: Where first graders are still welcome!

Free places in Berlin's schools: Where first graders are still welcome!

With the upcoming start of the new school year in Berlin on September 8, 2025, the question arises as to the available places for the numerous new students. Over the last ten years, the number of students has increased continuously, on average by around 6,000 per year, which is leading to overcrowding in many schools. Despite this development, it remains unclear how many free places will actually be available in the coming school year. The Berliner Zeitung asked the twelve district offices about the current capacities and received different answers. Free places are limited, particularly at secondary schools, which further exacerbates the situation. The ongoing procedures and family moves make it difficult to accurately predict space availability.

The school holidays are coming to an end, and 397,307 students in Berlin are ending their school obligations at the end of the 2023/24 school year. This represented an increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. The increasing numbers affect almost all types of schools. A striking example is the primary school levels, where many children are once again taking part in the transition to the summer holidays. The current number of students in Brandenburg is also showing an increasing trend with a total of 278,103 students, which is a general problem in the region.

Free places in the districts

The Berliner Zeitung survey shows that some districts can still offer free places. This raises questions as to whether these capacities will actually be sufficient. First graders are scheduled to start school on the Saturday after September 8, 2025, and forecasts for the total number of places required remain unclear. The situation remains particularly challenging for high schools, while elementary schools still offer space in some cases.

In addition to the uncertainty surrounding space requirements, school leaders must also consider the challenge of canceled classes and substitute teaching in the coming year. The Berlin education statistics have published extensive reports on the educational staff as well as key data for the 2024/2025 school year. This includes detailed information on the number of students at general education schools and at vocational schools.

Outlook for the coming school year

Given these developments, both parents and education policymakers must act proactively to ensure smooth school enrollment. The problem of overcrowding is in focus, with districts having to work together to find solutions to accommodate the increased number of students. A look at the published education statistics tables also shows the need for continuous adjustment of school infrastructure.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the Berlin authorities will deal with the current situation, especially with regard to the increasing number of students and the associated challenges for school infrastructure. The coming weeks will therefore be crucial for education in Berlin.