As a rule, all-day schools provide their pupils with two lessons on four days (some on three days) per school week following a lunch break (with lunch), which are organized in an open or semi-bound form depending on the school's concept. In addition to remedial lessons, work and exercise lessons, study groups or free periods, leisure activities and voluntary study groups in cooperation with extracurricular partners are also provided.

Participation in these additional support and leisure activities is usually voluntary. There are also all-day schools whose concept provides for compulsory activities on one or more afternoons for all pupils or for certain classes from the outset. Pupils in the school district of such a school who do not wish to attend an all-day program can be enrolled at a half-day school.