“Schachmatt der Matheschwäche” or checkmate to math weakness. This playful phrase encapsulates a unique aspect of Gymnasium Ohlstedt. Founded in 1970, Gymnasium Ohlstedt stands as a beacon of education in Hamburg’s Wohldorf-Ohlstedt district.
Gymnasium Ohlstedt is more than just a school. It’s a place where tradition meets innovation. It all began with rising student numbers in the Hamburg area. The Gymnasium Ohlstedt was the third school founded in the Hamburg Walddörfer. The first students started in April 1970. At first, the classes were in pavilions. These pavilions were on the grounds of the Walddörfer Gymnasium.
In 1971, the school moved to pavilions at the Schule am Walde. In 1972, they moved again to pavilions on the grounds of the school on Stahmerstraße. The first building was finished in 1973. It used the double-H design common for new schools in Hamburg. A sports hall was added in 1977. In 2014, this became a triple sports hall. Since 2015, the Gymnasium Ohlstedt also has two multi-purpose playing fields. There is also a building with specialist rooms. The main building has a break hall and the administration offices.
But what truly sets Gymnasium Ohlstedt apart? In 2014, it became the first state Gymnasium in Germany to offer chess as a regular subject. This earned them the title of “Deutsche Schachschule” or German Chess School in 2017. This shows the school’s commitment to thinking outside the box. Chess isn’t just a game here. It’s a tool to sharpen minds and foster strategic thinking.
The Gymnasium Ohlstedt also has a strong international focus. It is a school that prepares its students for a globalized world. The school has a bilingual program in secondary school where lessons are taught in English. In upper school, nearly half the lessons are in English. The Gymnasium Ohlstedt is also an ambassador school for the European Parliament. It was certified as a European school in May 2018. They have partnerships with schools in the USA, France, Chile, Spain, Indonesia, Denmark and Italy.
In 2018, the Gymnasium Ohlstedt also received the “MINT-freundliche Schule” award. MINT means STEM in English that is science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This was after they received funding for a MakerLab concept in 2017.
Many famous people went to the Gymnasium Ohlstedt. They include model Toni Garrn and software developer Lennart Poettering. Politicians Thorsten Fürter and Sarah Ines Struck also went here. As did radio host John Ment.
As you stand before the Gymnasium Ohlstedt, consider its journey. From its humble beginnings in temporary pavilions to its current status. It is a place that embraces innovation. A place that values international understanding. A place that knows the power of chess. The Gymnasium Ohlstedt continues to shape the minds of tomorrow.