What if this very spot could whisper tales of tradition? Here at the Goethe-Gymnasium, history echoes. The Goethe-Gymnasium is a Düsseldorfer school full of heritage. Its listed building dates back to 1911.
Once, this school was a Lyzeum. It focused on religion, German, and French. That was its only foreign language then. Founded in 1911, it was known as the Auguste-Viktoria-Schule by 1914. Auguste Viktoria was the German Emperor Wilhelm II’s wife. The girls’ school moved into a grand new building on Lindemannstraße.
In 1925, the Goethe-Oberrealschule for boys became a tenant. Later, the two schools merged. By 1946, the Auguste-Viktoria-Schule officially took its current name. It honored Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Student numbers rose quickly. By 1951, there were 1200 students. The Goethe-Schule split. Goethe I stayed on Lindemannstraße. Since 1973, it has been the Goethe-Gymnasium. It gained branches for modern languages and natural sciences.
In 1983, the Goethe-Gymnasium merged with the Rethel-Gymnasium. Officially, it became the Goethe-Gymnasium with the former Rethel-Gymnasium. Back then, it was the city’s best sports gymnasium. Teachers still say this today. The merger brought the ski trip to Jochgrimm in the Dolomites. This trip fills the “book of fondest memories” for many graduates.
By 1984, the Theater AG gained attention. Productions like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Lysistrata” made it known. The “Theatergruppe am Goethe” was founded. Over the years, it earned a very good reputation nationwide.
The student theater festival “Maskerade” started in 1990. It took place in the Goethe-Gymnasium’s auditorium. That same year, the bilingual branch began. English lessons increased in the first two years. From 7th grade, geography, history, and politics were taught in English. This continues today.
Two profiles emerged. The school had a linguistic focus from its founding year. Other elements developed over time. Extensive school chaplaincy reflected the educational concept of 1911. The MEX profile class is for mathematics experimentation. Today, the MINT-friendly gymnasium mirrors the Goethe I school’s science branch from the 50s. The artistic focus started with theater work in the 80s.
In 1999, the Goethe-Gymnasium celebrated its first bilingual Abitur. It was the 250th birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In 2011, the school on Lindemannstraße celebrated its 100th anniversary.
By 2016, the Goethe-Gymnasium aimed to fulfill its educational mission fully. Like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “For it must come from the heart, what is to act upon hearts.” The goal was to create school happiness.
More schoolyard space was created through stacking. An extension saved space with an underground sports hall. The traditional building became too small for modern schooling. Sports lessons were held in other venues. All-day care took place in rented rooms. The biggest challenge was fitting the required space onto the limited grounds.
After many designs, the solution was found. The entire sports hall went underground. Other rooms were in a slender structure. It was like a bridge over the hall. The design saved space. The schoolyard benefited. A new foyer was created facing Lindemannstraße. It provided an attractive entrance. It served as exhibition space for the school’s artistic focus. Since opening in 2019, students enjoy a modern sports hall and twelve new classrooms. The hall features yellow and orange tones.