The Fachoberschule^[1] is a type of German vocational school for young people aged 16 to 18 years old. It also provides a pathway into university in some areas of Germany.

This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2020)

This article has been translated from the article Fachoberschule in the German Wikipedia, and requires proofreading. (August 2022)

The concept of the Fachoberschule was introduced in 1969 in West Germany as a result of student protests in the 1960s,^[2] which culminated in the protests of 1968, except for Baden-Württemberg. They were opened throughout most of the country at the beginning of the school year 1969/70. Hamburg and Berlin started at Easter 1970 and Bavaria on 9 September 1970.^[3]

The Fachoberschule is usually attended by students of the German school grades 11 and 12.

In the German federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, Bavaria (since the 2004/2005 school year), and Berlin (since 2010 in the form of a pilot project at two schools), there is also a further year group, where students can complete their Abitur (university entrance qualification).

Different subjects are offered depending on the state. In Baden-Württemberg this type of school does not exist; instead, various types of school offer vocational education, which lead to similar qualifications as a Fachoberschule.