Berlin’s Georg-Herwegh-Oberschule stands as a testament to educational evolution. The Georg-Herwegh-Oberschule’s story began long before its current form. Let’s step back in time to uncover its fascinating past.
In 1849, Rektor Langhagen opened a private boys’ school on Albrechtstra\u00dfe. This marked the humble beginnings of what would become part of the Georg-Herwegh-Oberschule. By 1911, the Hermsdorf community took over, educating 94 students. The school gained state recognition as a Realprogymnasium in 1919. It merged with the Frohnau boys’ school in 1921.
The institution expanded into a municipal Reform-Realgymnasium by 1923. Five years later, the Realgymnasium moved to a new building on Kaiserstra\u00dfe. This is now known as Fellbacher Stra\u00dfe where the Georg-Herwegh-Oberschule is located. The school was renamed Friedrich-Nietzsche-Schule in 1938. It then merged with the Friedrichswerdersches Gymnasium in 1939.
During World War II, the Kaiserstra\u00dfe building served as a military hospital. From 1945 to 1951, it functioned as a contagious disease hospital. A significant change occurred in 1948. The boys’ school was renamed Georg-Herwegh-Oberschule. Philosopher Rudolf Schottlaender taught there from 1949 to 1956.
Meanwhile, a girls’ school was founded in 1891 by Anna Hagemann. In 1893, she was authorized to run a private higher girls’ school. This school opened on Augusta-Viktoria-Stra\u00dfe. Emma Kempe acquired the school in 1897.
Margarete Siegert became the head in 1903. As the girls’ school grew, it moved to a new building on Humboldtstra\u00dfe in 1908. This is now known as Olafstra\u00dfe. In the same year, reforms created three types of state-recognized girls’ schools: Lyzeum, Oberlyzeum, and Studienanstalt. The girls’ school became a Lyzeum.
Florentine Franke purchased the school in 1916. She held the necessary qualifications to lead a Lyzeum. The first graduates received their diplomas in 1918. The Frohnau higher girls’ school, recognized as a Lyzeum since 1919, merged with the Hermsdorf Lyzeum in 1921. Classes were then held in both Hermsdorf and Frohnau.
In 1928, the school became a municipal institution. Florentine Franke was appointed Studiendirektorin. It was renamed Hans Thoma-Schule in 1938. It became a secondary school for girls and started offering courses leading to the Abitur. The first Abitur exams took place in 1941. The school was evacuated to the Riesengebirge in 1943 due to the war. Gertrud Stankiewicz succeeded Florentine Franke in 1949.
The Georg-Herwegh-Oberschule, as it exists today, was formed in 1962. This happened through the merging of the boys’ and girls’ schools. The current school building includes the original 1928 structure. This listed building features a square clock tower. A new building was added in 1982. In 2009, preparations began for a new three-story building. It opened in 2011.
The Georg-Herwegh-Oberschule also served as a hospital temporarily. Today, the Georg-Herwegh-Oberschule continues to evolve. It offers a comprehensive education with a focus on both tradition and innovation.