We've been given conflicting information about whether or not it is possible to enrole our kids in a Grundschule outside of the school district (Schulspregel?) that they are zoned for.

My understanding from the Munich school office was that this was non-negotiable and that our kids would have no option BUT to go to their local school. We checked out the school that they were zoned for (Froettmaningerstr) and were not particularly impressed with what we saw. We have subsequently been told that a "significant fraction" of the student body come from a low-cost housing area and "have less advantaged and sometimes problematic backgrounds which can show up in antisocial behaviour". That additional information, just confirms the impression we got after having met with the principal and toured the school.

We've also heard via the grapevine that a number of parents in the school district have the same reservations and have enroled their kids in other schools around the Muenchner Freiheit area without any difficulties. Having looked at the application for an Antrag auf Gastweisen Schulbesuch (PDF) there doesn't seem to be a box to tick for: Parents have grave concerns about local school!!! We would have difficulties in meeting the other criteria on the form.

- Does anyone know how this works in practice?
- Is it just a paper filling exercise?
- Is there any way around it or a fast-track into any of the schools around Muenchener Freiheit?

Many thanks in advance