how does the school and care system work in germany?

[wraith hamlet]

I am moving there next year and have some questions about how it is there.

I looked up some things and I am going to start gymnasium there but I wonder if there are different programs to choose? for example science, litterature, tech

I currently live in sweden and have free healthcare and I wonder if it is the same in germany?

[warm adder]

What courses/classes/electives are offered somewhat depends on the school and state. And the grade/class you're going to attend. Grades from 5th to either 9th or 10th (depending on state) have very little to choose, while during the last three years you can elect/unelect some courses, and have some of these as advanced courses ("Leistungskurse") while the rest are basic courses ("Grundkurse"). How many of each type are required and possible also depends on the state.

[glacial grove]

I went to school in Baden württemberg, we didn't have this Grund/Leistungskurse thing at all. Kids already had to choose a "path" in 7th grade, languages, arts, IT and Handwerk (handcrafting? Idk, wood metal etc work). What's offered tho does heavily depend on the state and school. My brothers 'language path' consisted of mandatory Latin plus either French, Italian or Spanish. Meanwhile my language path in a different school had only one language mandatory, Latin was not a thing but Chinese was offered. Literature, theater etc are usually extra activities you can choose to take, and not get graded. All in all tho, don't worry, none of this will "settle your future". Even if you decide for the language path, you can study IT in the future of course. You'll always definitely get all mandatory and necessary contents

And yeah we do have free Healthcare too. Your parents will pay into the insurance while working, and as a student you'll be insured through school and with your parents insurance for less than 50 bucks a year

[warm adder]

In Gymnasium? I did not know any Gymnasium would offer Handwerk oriented courses at all... or that that was even possible

[glacial grove]

Yeah, we had economic and Handwerk as choice too

[warm adder]

I mean, I know there were differences between states, but honestly, I'm sometimes just astonished.