One question to ponder what makes the CJD Königswinter more than just a school? It is a place where individual growth meets community spirit. Founded in 1992 the CJD Christophorusschule Königswinter is a state-recognized private school. It resides in the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis near the border of Rhineland-Palatinate.
The Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschlands CJD runs the school. The CJD Königswinter includes a Realschule and a Gymnasium. Both are equal to state schools. Around 1450 students attend the Christophorusschule. About 105 teachers provide instruction.
The CJD Königswinter has several special programs. There is a consistent branch for highly gifted students. A competence center fosters these students. A bilingual branch exists along with a school psychological counseling center. Two certified psychologists staff it.
The school maintains exchange programs. Students can visit schools in the USA France Great Britain Spain and Sweden. There are also exchanges with schools in Bolivia and trips to Japan.
The CJD Christophorusschule Königswinter started with Hans-Joachim Gardyan. He founded it in 1992. The initial staff included nearly twenty teachers. Seven had taught at CJD Braunschweig. The school began with 360 students. They were in grades 5-8 of the Realschule. Gymnasium students were in grades 5-11.
The first building was constructed from 1969 to 1971. Architect Ernst van Dorp designed it. It previously housed the Gymnasium am Petersberg. That school closed in 1991. Later the Städtische Realschule am Petersberg was added. It closed in 1995.
The CJD K\u00f6nigswinter faced initial challenges. A dispute arose over the use of the empty school building. Plans to start in 1991 were delayed by a year. An alternative option was considered. This was the creation of a comprehensive school.
In 1995 the Christophorusschule celebrated its first graduating class. The first Realschule graduates also finished. An on-site boarding school opened in 2000. It accommodates about 70 students. Since 2004 the school organizes all-day care. This is for the nearby Johann-Lemmerz-Grundschule.
The Junior-Ingenieur-Akademie began in September 2005. It was supported by the Deutsche Telekom Stiftung. The Kreativhaus opened in January 2006. Funds came from the Bonn-Berlin compensation. This creative space is available to regional schools.
Hans-Joachim Gardyan led the school from 1992 to 2006. Reinhard Koglin succeeded him as the overall director. Ursula Hamacher has been the principal of the Gymnasium since 2023. Martin Krude has led the Realschule since 2019.
Since 2009 the school uses 60-minute lessons and extended breaks. A self-learning center opened in November 2009. The expanded library moved there. Construction began on an enlarged cafeteria in July 2010. It opened at the start of the 2011-2012 school year. The Kindergarten Rauschendorf has belonged to CJD Königswinter since August 1 2012.
A new extension the D-building opened in summer 2017. Since late 2017 the Christophorusschule Königswinter is a MINT-EC school. The school is near Königswinter’s old town. It is about 200 meters from the Rhine. Nearby are the CJD youth welfare facility. The church of Maria Königin des Friedens is close. An outdoor sports field a sports hall and the Königswinter Paul-Lemmerz indoor swimming pool are also nearby.
The school’s motto reflects its values. Keiner darf verloren gehen means Let nobody be lost. Jedem seine Chance means Everyone has a chance. Nicht für alle das Gleiche sondern für jeden das Beste means Not for all the same but for all the best. In essence the CJD Königswinter provides an educational experience. It promotes individual development. It also supports a strong community.