Mainz offers a wide range of educational institutions. In addition to local elementary schools, citizens have access to a diverse range of secondary schools, a traditional university with internationally recognized institutes, universities of applied sciences with their own unique profiles, and attractive continuing education opportunities.

In addition to a large number of municipal, private, and denominational elementary schools, special schools, secondary schools, high schools, and vocational schools, there is a school for gifted children, four integrated comprehensive schools, and a Waldorf school.

Mainz has numerous all-day schools, most of which are "newly formed." The concept provides for all-day schooling from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. four days a week outside of school holidays. Parents register their child for the all-day program for the coming school year. In the case of "compulsory all-day schools," the decision to enroll in the all-day program for the remainder of the school year is made at the beginning of the school year.