Did you know that this very spot once witnessed heated student protests? Right here stands the Friedrich-Dessauer-Gymnasium a cornerstone of Frankfurt am Main’s educational landscape. Established in 1975 it’s more than just a school. It’s a testament to the city’s commitment to learning. Before its founding students in Hochst and the surrounding areas completed their Abitur at two separate schools. Boys attended the Leibnizschule a venerable institution dating back to 1818. Girls went to the Helene-Lange-Schule nestled in the city park.
The decision to merge these two upper secondary schools was a bold one. It came in 1972 coinciding with the introduction of the New Gymnasium Upper Secondary Level by the Hessian state government. The groundbreaking ceremony on October 14 1972 involved the Hessian Minister of Finance Heribert Reitz and Frankfurt’s Mayor Rudi Arndt. However this event was far from peaceful. Student protests against a teacher shortage marred the celebrations reflecting the turbulent times of the student revolts.
The Friedrich-Dessauer-Gymnasium found its home within the Bildungs-und Kulturzentrum Frankfurt or BIKUZ. This led to the informal nickname Bikuz for both the building and the school. The building itself is a bustling hub of activity. It houses administrative offices of the Frankfurt adult education center the Volkshochschule. The VHS also utilizes rooms for classes. The Hochst district library also resides in this building. Initially the school offered 300 courses taught by 150 teachers for 980 students.
The Friedrich-Dessauer-Gymnasium didn’t just grow it thrived. It received prestigious recognition being named the best school in Frankfurt by Capital magazine in 2005. It even secured a respectable 3rd place in Hesse and 84th nationally. But time marches on and in 2007 a decision was made. The old BIKUZ building was demolished and replaced. The new building opened its doors in 2008 with the official handover to the school community on September 28 2009. It was a significant step forward.
The school’s history is full of such milestones. In 1982 the BIKUZ received the name of physicist Friedrich Dessauer. In 1984 computer science classes began. The first Abiball the school’s graduation ball was held in 1985. Prior to this it wasn’t favoured by students and parents due to their rejection of old traditions. It initially took place in the school’s large hall before moving to the Plaza Büro Center. The school released its first yearbook in 1987 a tradition that continues to this day. From humble beginnings to the heights of academic achievement this school has become a vital part of the Frankfurt community. The Friedrich-Dessauer-Gymnasium’s story is one of adaptation innovation and enduring excellence.