All children and young adults can benefit from a wide range of educational institutions available in the city of Riesa. Parents are given the opportunity of chosing the most appropriate school for their children. Here in Riesa there are 5 primary schools with day care facilities, 2 secondary modern schools, 2 grammar schools (A-level education), 5 vocational schools, 2 schools with musical education and one evening school.
As far as the profile of the schools is concerned it must be stated that the schools emphasize specialization, all-day care and a close cooperation with local businesses.
This is a type of school which the children attend from the 1st to the 5th grade. All primary schools run day-care facilities which children may attend until the afternoon. Children acquire essential learning and working skills plus numerical and language competencies which lay the foundations for further education at secondary and grammar school level. After successful completion, parents will receive a paper of recommendation from the school which will help them to choose the most appropriate type of school for their children.
The secondary school is a type of school which the children attend from the 5th to the 10th grade. This school offers a general and pre-vocational education thus establishing the necessary educational background for further training. There are three differenty types of graduation available at secondary schools. By offering general and pre-vocational education for young people, secondary schools lay the foundations for further education. Vocational training opportunities are open to all children.
There are two grammar school in Riesa which attract pupils with high potential, talent and ambition. Tuition is on a very high level thereby considering the individual requirements of each pupil. Additional tuition and content, combined with a solid eduaction in all subjects enable the graduates to pursue all kinds of degree courses and studies both at univeristy and non-university level. Attending a grammar school is a fast track to A-level education which, in Saxony, takes 12 years.
Those pupils who wish to pursue vocational training after their school years are offered a variety of possibilities to learn a trade in a two-tier training system. This means that the pupil receives training on the job in a company and theoretical training at a vocational school. The purpose of the vocational school is to teach theoretical skills needed for the respective job as well as to expand general knowledge and skills. The duration of attendance depends on the job description, normally 2-3 years.
The University of Cooperative Education offers a wide range of studies in the areas of Engineering, Business Management and Marketing, aimed at teaching theoretical and practical skills in the respective job. The course of study is therefore divided into a theoretical and practical part, each lasting for 12 weeks. Additionally, the Riesa Management School (Management Academy) offers a degree course (Bachelor of Arts) to pursue studies of Journalism, Communications and Management. After two years of study in Riesa and one year at the FH Mittweida (University of Applied Sciences) students will graduate with the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts.