Ever wondered about a school born from a giant leap for mankind? That is the Friedensschule. We are standing before a unique institution. It is a Gesamtschule. It is located in Muenster’s Mecklenbeck district. The Friedensschule is under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Muenster.
The Friedensschule’s story began in 1969. This was a time of educational reform in Germany. The school emerged as an experiment. It was a full-day integrated Gesamtschule. This coincided with the rise of state-funded Gesamtschulen. The Friedensschule was a unique model. It was the first of its kind in Germany. It was a Gesamtschule under church leadership. The Friedensschule includes a secondary school level.
The goal was a student-friendly school. It aimed to support students individually. This support was regardless of their background. The Friedensschule followed the educational goals for Catholic schools. These goals were defined by the Second Vatican Council.
Each year, Friedensschule welcomes about 180 students into the fifth grade. There are usually six classes. The school maintains a ratio. Five-sixths of students are Catholic. The remaining students come from other backgrounds. The Friedensschule strives for a balanced mix of students. The students have different academic strengths.
In the sixth grade, classes are divided. This division is based on performance in English and math. German follows in the seventh grade. The Friedensschule adheres to legal requirements. Sometimes it starts differentiation earlier than expected. Classes are completely reorganized. This happens at the start of the eighth grade. The reorganization is based on performance criteria.
The Friedensschule is more than just classrooms. In 1983, a school big band was founded. It welcomes students from all grades. Dieter Niermann led the band. In 2017, it won third prize. This was at the Jugend jazzt state competition. In 2019, it won the state competition. In 2020, it received the WDR Jazz Prize. It received the prize for young talent development.
In 2018, Frederik Dunschen won the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. He was a student at the Friedensschule Muenster. He won with a self-developed mini-drone. In 2022, an asteroid was named after him. It was named Asteroid Dunschen.
The Friedensschule is the largest school in Muenster. It has about 1500 students and 120 teachers. It has the highest number of applications for fifth grade in Muenster. Students come from all over Muenster and Muensterland.
The Friedensschule was among the first seven Gesamtschulen in North Rhine-Westphalia. Classes started on August 25, 1969. This school stands as a testament. It shows the commitment to education. It provides individual support. It fosters a vibrant community. The Friedensschule welcomes students from all backgrounds.