What if schools felt more like a community? That’s the idea behind the Jenaplanschule Erfurt. This school operates on the Jenaplan concept. It aims to create a space where students learn from, work with, and live for one another.
The Jenaplanschule Erfurt is located at Nettelbeckufer 25. It is Erfurt’s Staatliche Gemeinschaftsschule 3. But until August 19, 2019, it was known as Gemeinschaftsschule am Nordpark. The name change reflects the school’s commitment to the Jenaplan concept.
Let’s step back in time. The Gemeinschaftsschule am Nordpark welcomed its first first-graders on August 19, 2015. From that moment, the school began integrating the Jenaplan philosophy. This eventually led to the school adopting its current name: Jenaplanschule Erfurt.
The Jenaplanschule Erfurt comprises two buildings. They are known as Haus 1 and Haus 2. Haus 1 sits east of the Gera river. Haus 2 is located to the west. Haus 1 has a long history. It once housed the Lessingschule. You can even find early depictions of it on a 19th-century map.
Haus 2 has its own story. It was built in 1911. Before becoming part of the Jenaplanschule, various schools used it. In front of Haus 2 stands the Lutherdenkmal. It is a work by Wilhelm Mues. From 2017, a rainwater overflow basin was constructed on the front part of the schoolyard. The basin was completed in 2020. Haus 2 is undergoing renovation in 2022.
The Jenaplanschule Erfurt has a dedicated Förderverein or support association. This association funds several projects. For instance, it sponsors learning journals for students. The Förderverein also provided food for a charity run. The students ran to support a Ukrainian association in Erfurt. The Förderverein relies on donations to operate.
The school’s motto is “Learning from each other, working together, living for each other.” This reflects the Jenaplanschule Erfurt’s core values. The school strives to be a shared place for learning and life. It promotes a friendly and non-violent atmosphere. Students are encouraged to discover and develop their abilities together. The school also values human dignity and democracy. The Jenaplanschule Erfurt is more than just a school. It is a community.