Curious about a school with a 150-year legacy? That’s the Goethe-Gymnasium Lichterfelde. Founded in 1872 the Goethe-Gymnasium Lichterfelde began as a higher girls’ school. Adelheid Krahmer started it in Villa Hildesheim. It had just six students and one boy.
Initially, spatial constraints led the school to relocate. In 1874, it moved to Chausseestraße 29. By 1878, the school found a new home at Berliner Straße 166. This building was commissioned by Adelheid Krahmer.
The proximity to the Hauptkadettenanstalt was beneficial. Male teachers from the military school could also teach at the girls’ school. However, in 1881, male students transferred to the newly established Schiller-Gymnasium. The school then exclusively taught girls again.
In 1904, the municipality of Groß-Lichterfelde acquired the school. It was to become a public higher girls’ school. Adelheid Krahmer retired in 1907 or 1908. In 1911, her successors renamed the school Lyzeum and Oberlyzeum of the Berlin-Lichterfelde municipality.
During World War II in 1943, the building suffered severe damage. It reopened in June 1945. Soon after, it moved to Drakestraße. This building previously housed the Realgymnasium Lichterfelde.
In 1951, it was renamed Goethe-Schule. Before that, it was known as Lichterfelder Oberschule für Mädchen. Male students were readmitted in 1953. The school made many improvements. Restored building sections, an auditorium, a gym, and science rooms opened in 1954. Renovations and expansions addressed a growing student population in the 1970s. A modern triple sports hall was added in 2015.
The school was renamed Goethe-Gymnasium Lichterfelde in 2016. In 2022, the school celebrated its 150th anniversary. The Goethe-Gymnasium Lichterfelde focuses on promoting student independence. It offers extracurricular activities in music, sociopolitical issues, and sports. Since 2010, it has received the title “European Eco-School” over 20 times. It is also an IT model school.
The Förderverein supports school projects. It awards the “Goethe Social Prize” annually. This recognizes a student’s outstanding social commitment. From 2021 to 2024, the Goethe-Gymnasium had a high school graduation success rate of 98 to 100 percent.
The school building, constructed from 1909 to 1912, reflects Neoclassical design. Julia Ammer and Richard Tietzen designed it. It originally served as the Lichterfelde Realgymnasium. After World War II, it merged with the neighboring Lilienthal-Gymnasium. The building’s exterior has remained largely unchanged. A yellow plastered facade characterizes it. The main entrance faces Drakestraße. The school grounds also feature a school garden and sports facilities. The Goethe-Gymnasium Lichterfelde also boasts an E-Sport-AG. This was founded by Max Keßler and David Mandel. It has achieved national and international recognition.
The school’s commitment to sustainability is clear. The Futur3 class focuses on environmental protection and climate change. The Goethe-Gymnasium Lichterfelde is more than just a school. It is a place of tradition, innovation, and community engagement.