schools were observed in their progress from the end of primary school (year 6) to the transfer into the upper secondary level gymnasium (year 10) or into alternative educational routes. indeed, almost half of the young people, who went to the gymnasium, previously studied at a middle-level general secondary school and not the preparatory Progymnasium; a strong indication of decoupling. Furthermore, the study shows that entry into the upper secondary level gymnasium is still possible for pupils despite weak performance at primary level. irrespective of the evidence for an opening of the education system, the findings also show that attending a Progymnasium has a significant effect on school biographies. The chance of transferring into the upper secondary level gymnasium is twice as high for graduates, who attended a Progymnasium, as for comparative pupils, who did not. Additionally, a privileged social background correlates with a high chance of entry into the upper secondary level gymnasium.