Ready to explore a school that embodies Franco-German friendship? This is the Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium. It is a place where cultures meet and futures are shaped.
The Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium in Freiburg stands as a symbol. It represents the reconciliation between Germany and France after World War II. The Élysée Treaty of 1963 paved the way for closer ties. The school’s founding in 1972 marked a significant step. It was part of a broader effort to foster understanding. Other schools were established in Saarbrücken and Buc. Hamburg and Straßburg joined later.
The creation of these binational schools wasn’t easy. The German and French educational systems differed. Harmonizing curricula and exams required dedicated work. An agreement in 1972 defined the terms for the Deutsch-Französisches Abitur. This is a unique diploma recognized by both countries. The Schweriner Abkommen updated it in 2002.
Unlike national schools, the Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium offers something special. Its curriculum blends German and French approaches. The grading system and organization differ from standard exams. The Deutsch-Französisches Abitur holds equal weight. It is like the French Baccalauréat and the German Abitur. This unique approach mirrors that of European Schools.
Initially, the Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium Freiburg occupied temporary spaces. The city of Freiburg provided these buildings. In 1977, the school moved to its permanent location. The city, the state of Baden-Württemberg, and the federal government funded the construction. Its award-winning design reflects the school’s mission of bringing people together.
Freiburg owns the building. The city funds maintenance and some administrative positions. It also provides educational materials. France and Baden-Württemberg share the responsibility. They provide teachers in roughly equal numbers.
The school operates under Baden-Württemberg’s school laws. The first Deutsch-Französisches Abitur diplomas were awarded in 1981. Today, around 800 students attend the Gymnasium. An on-site boarding school opened in 1986. It houses about 60 students. The Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium welcomes students from diverse backgrounds. Over fifty nationalities are represented. Its location near France and Switzerland enriches its student body. Freiburg offers a full range of Franco-German education. There is a Kita, kindergarten, public elementary school, and the Gymnasium. The University’s Frankreich-Zentrum and the Centre Culturel Français de Fribourg add to this.
The school’s binational character extends to its leadership. The administration, faculty, and parent representatives are binational. A German headmaster shares responsibility with a French deputy headmaster. The deputy headmaster leads the French section.
Integration is central to school life. German students enter in Klasse 5. French students enter in Klasse 6. Subjects are taught in binational groups. This prepares students to learn in their partner’s language. Subjects include sports, art, music, history, geography, and biology. English instruction begins in integrated groups in sixth grade. Many elective courses are available to all students.
In the upper grades, classes are fully integrated. Only French, German, religion, and ethics are taught separately. Half the courses are in French. The other half are in German. Native speakers teach each.
The Deutsch-Französisches Abitur offers several tracks. These include literature and philosophy, economics and applied mathematics. Also available are mathematics and physics and biology and chemistry. Exam topics are specific to the binational Abitur. Written exams undergo double or triple grading. Oral exam committees include three teachers.
The Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium is near the Musikhochschule tram stop. This connects it to the city center and Littenweiler. A Frelo bike-sharing station is next to the school. Bus lines connect the school to Mulhouse and Colmar in France.
The Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium is more than a school. It is a place where students learn to navigate different cultures. It prepares them for a united Europe. Its graduates are well-equipped to succeed in a globalized world.