The best advice for a good school place

Helping parents find a good school place for their child - that is the aim of the Jena School Fair, which takes place on Saturday, January 18, in the Volkshaus. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., all of Jena's state and independent elementary school, grammar schools, community schools and comprehensive schools will be presenting themselves. All three state vocational schools in the city, an independent vocational school, the "Thuringia International School Weimar" and the Stiebritz elementary school will also be on site.

"Jena's school landscape is constantly changing," says Christine Wolfer, Head of Youth and Education. In recent years, new schools have been founded, school types have changed and new school profiles have been developed. In the Volkshaus, families will have the opportunity to find out about the different types of schools and the different concepts of Jena's schools and to talk to teachers and school administrators.

Great interest in steadily growing event

Since the premiere of the Jena School Fair in 2011, the event organized by the Department of Education, Youth, Culture and Sport of the City of Jena has grown steadily. It moved from the historic town hall to the Volksbad and finally to the Volkshaus, where even more space was used this year compared to the previous event. According to education manager Stefanie Teichmann, both visitors and exhibitors were very popular. "We have more inquiries than capacity - both from schools in the surrounding area and from other educational institutions."

Advice on cross-school topics

What is the registration process like? What should parents know about after-school care and lunch provision? Employees from the Jena school administration and the East Thuringia State Education Authority will be providing information on these and other cross-school topics at a joint stand.

At another joint stand, employees from the Jena State Regional Support Center and the State Education Authority will be providing advice on schooling for pupils with special educational needs together with the city's procedure guide.

This year, the Jena Adult Education Center will also be present, whose team will provide information on how to catch up on school-leaving qualifications. The Youth Employment Agency (JUBA) will also provide advice on the transition from school to work.

Revised "School route guide" to take away

The "School Guide", which is available in an updated version for the fair, will be distributed free of charge. This brochure contains portraits and contact details of all schools in Jena. The "School Guide" can also be accessed digitally at
https://jena.de/schulwegweiser(link is external)

A few more practical tips:

• If you are traveling with younger children, they can be looked after by Jena childminders in a separate area during the fair.
• Hot and cold drinks and snacks can be purchased in the foyer.
• The organizers also recommend visiting in the early afternoon, as experience has shown that the fair is less crowded then than in the morning.

Jena School Fair

• Saturday, January 18, 2025
• 10.00 - 14.00
• People's House
• Carl-Zeiß-Platz 15
• 07743 Jena
  
• Admission is free of charge.