How about a journey back to 1966? That’s when Gymnasium Meiendorf was founded. It was created as an offshoot of the Walddörfer-Gymnasium. The goal was to provide a local gymnasium option in Meiendorf. This area was growing with young families.
Gymnasium Meiendorf quickly grew. From 95 students in its first year, it peaked at 920 in 1974. Later, lower birth rates caused enrollment to drop to around 550 by the late 1990s. Today, the Gymnasium Meiendorf has 971 students.
Interestingly, Gymnasium Meiendorf began offering a third foreign language in middle school in 1974. Before that, it was only offered in upper school. Since the turn of the millennium, student numbers have risen again. In 2008/09, 51 teachers taught 725 students. A large portion of these were in the 5th and 6th grades.
Music has always been important here at Gymnasium Meiendorf. Special music classes for 5th and 6th graders are available. There is also a school orchestra, three choirs, and a concert band. Theater and art activities emphasize the school’s aesthetic focus.
Since 2006, Gymnasium Meiendorf has offered a bilingual program. English instruction is strengthened. Several subjects are taught in English. These subjects include sports, geography, history, biology, and chemistry. In 2007, Gymnasium Meiendorf replaced Latin with Spanish as the second foreign language.
Since 2015/16, Gymnasium Meiendorf has an International Preparation Class. More of these classes were added in 2022 and 2023.
The Gymnasium Meiendorf grounds border the former Schierenberg elementary school. The school’s buildings were built in 1966 and opened in 1967. A specialized wing was added in 1968. More buildings followed in 1974 and a gymnasium in 1975. Besides a main building, there are seven houses with classrooms. There are also five buildings with specialized rooms for science and art.
From 2013 to 2014, some buildings of the neighboring elementary school were renovated. They were then integrated into the Gymnasium Meiendorf. The former elementary school’s Kreuzbau was renovated at a cost of nearly 5 million euros. Since 2014, the renovated Kreuzbau has been used as an eighth classroom building. The separate schoolyard there is used for the observation level. The renovated Pausenhalle serves as a theater space.
Gymnasium Meiendorf has a good social index. It mainly serves students from Rahlstedt, Farmsen-Berne, and Volksdorf. The school offers many subjects. Students can learn Spanish, French, and Italian. Less common offerings include computer science and media studies. In the bilingual classes, more English is taught. Music also plays a big role here at Gymnasium Meiendorf.
The sports facilities include a triple gymnasium and a large sports field. There is even a beach volleyball court and a soccer field.
Since 2009, Gymnasium Meiendorf has hosted the Model United Nations. Students simulate the work of the United Nations. Students have also participated in the Erasmian European Youth Parliament.
From 1974 to 2019, parents cooked for the students in the school’s own kitchen.
Gymnasium Meiendorf is more than just a school. It’s a place of learning, growth, and community. It is a place that has been shaping young minds for over half a century.