Elementary School: from 6 to 10 years (or 12 years in Berlin and Brandenburg). Children learn to read, count, write, study natural sciences.
Secondary education: from 10 to 19 years
There are several secondary school types. The school type is chosen in accordance with the teachers' recommendations and parents' preferences, a student's academic performance, as well as the entrance exam results.
German secondary school types:
Basic school (Hauptschule) is intended for 5-6 grades and prepares for further training in the vocational school;
Junior high school (Realschule) is intended for 6 grades, the obtained high grade enables to enter the senior class of high school and then to the University;
Grammar school (Gymnasium). Education lasts 8-9 years. Generally grammar schools focus on three prime areas: humanities (language, literature, and art), social (social sciences) and technical (natural sciences, mathematics, and technology). Upon completion of training high school diploma (Abitur) is issued. German Abitur is equivalent to the Russian secondary education certificate and the British A-level diploma. Grammar school in Germany is an academic secondary school that prepares pupils for a university education.
Comprehensive school (Gesamtschule) combines various features of grammar schools and junior high school, enabling to obtain both academic and technical education.
Foreign child need to study at least 2 years in Germany to get the secondary school diploma. Public schools start accepting foreign students from up 14 years in the middle and upper secondary school. Private schools accept children of a younger age.

Only private schools (Freie Schulen) provide the ability to pass the Abitur in Germany without obtaining the secondary education certificate in the native country. For admission to the German school foreign students must pass entrance exams and an interview.
Schule Schloss Salem is one of the most prestigious private residential schools in Germany, founded in 1920, that offers a year-round training program for entering private schools in Germany. It is the largest boarding school in the country, accredited by the state.
A view of the Alps, due to the perfect location in Salem adds a special charm to the school. College is within 15 minutes’ drive of Lake Constance, near the border of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. And it’s not far from Zurich Airport, it takes only 1, 5 hours to get there by car.
Features
Schule Schloss Salem is the only institution of this kind in Germany, where the education program is provided both in German and in English. Since its foundation Salem boarding school has adhered to the classical tradition in education, despite the fact that the advanced practices in training are always applied in accordance with the requirements of the time. Its graduates are prominent figures in science and culture, as well as the royal family members of European countries. The list of the school famous alumni.The list of famous alumni of the school Schule Schloss Salem

Accommodation
Schloß Salem offers comfortable accommodation. Secondary school students live in 2-4- bed rooms. High school students are accommodated in double rooms. The curators lodge in the residence too, they are to keep order. Meals at Salem restaurant are included in the training cost. Each residence has an equipped kitchen where students may have meals. There are comfortable halls as well, where children spend their spare time.
Training Programs
Upon the 10th grade completion students may choose English International Baccalaureate (IB) or German Abitur. After graduation from Schule Schloss Salem, students are able to enroll in any university in Germany or International University.
Sports
Sports are a compulsory part of a curriculum, especially team sports. The first type sport list is below: hockey, basketball, volleyball, rowing. The second sport can be badminton, football, rugby, running, aerobics, dance, gymnastics, golf, canoeing, athletics, rowing and swimming. In addition to traditional sports the school offers hiking, skiing in the Alps.

Learn more about Studying and Education in Germany from Federal Office's website.