Originally established in 1886, the Gymnasium Steglitz stands as a testament to Berlin’s enduring commitment to education. Today, we find ourselves before its walls, ready to delve into the story of this venerable institution. The Gymnasium Steglitz began in the then independent municipality of Steglitz. The village had grown into a populous suburb of Berlin. This growth created a need for a higher education institution.
Initially, the school resided on Plantagenstra\u00dfe. Four years later, it moved to its current location on Heesestra\u00dfe. Because of this location, locals often call it “Heese-Gymnasium” or simply “Das Heese.” The first students graduated in 1893. However, the first female student didn’t graduate until 1950.
Around 1900, Karl Fischer initiated the Wandervogel movement at Gymnasium Steglitz. Today, a Karl-Fischer-Zimmer exists within the school. Hans Bl\u00fcher vividly depicted his school experiences. He was the “first historian” of the Wandervogel. He recounted this in his three-volume history of a youth movement published in 1912 and again in his memoirs. Bl\u00fcher was a student here from 1898 to 1907.
Major renovations occurred in 1906. World War I and World War II disrupted school operations. The school building suffered damage during World War II. It required subsequent reconstruction. After his father’s assassination, Wilhelm Liebknecht was initially denied his Abitur here. Only after intervention by the Prussian Minister of Culture, Konrad Haenisch, was he admitted.
Since 1957, final year students have traditionally taken “Antikenfahrten” to Rome and Greece. These trips continue today. Trips to Sicily have been added. In 1972, the construction of the specialist room wing gave the building complex its current form.
In 2000, the Gymnasium Steglitz gained national media attention. A history teacher was suspended due to alleged right-wing extremist views. This followed a parents’ initiative. The teacher has not been a member of the faculty since then. In 2007, the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin largely ruled in his favor. This was regarding the disciplinary proceedings initiated to remove him from service.
The Gymnasium Steglitz is a comprehensive Gymnasium. It begins with the fifth grade, unlike most Berlin schools that start with seventh grade. The school has an ancient language profile. Latin from 5th grade and Ancient Greek from 8th grade are compulsory subjects. English is also required. Gymnasium Steglitz is one of the few schools where Greek is compulsory. One of the ancient languages must be chosen as one of the five Abitur examination subjects. French can be chosen as another language in 9th grade. Additionally, students can join the Althebr\u00e4isch-AG.
Since 2012, the Gymnasium Steglitz has also hosted the Staatliche Europaschule Berlin. It is a German-Greek school. It offers bilingual education from 7th grade to Abitur. This is for students who grew up bilingual in German and Greek. SESB students study Modern Greek and English. Both begin in 5th grade. French is compulsory from 7th grade. Ancient Greek can be added from 8th grade.
The Gymnasium Steglitz has been an open all-day school since 2010. The school offers after-school care. This is mainly for 5th and 6th graders. The cooperation partner, Mittelhof e. V., organizes and runs it. It is called “Otium,” which is Latin for leisure. There, students can do their homework. Afterwards, they are supervised in special after-school rooms until 4 p.m.
The Gymnasium Steglitz actively participates in the “Ganztagsschule” network. This allows exchange with other all-day schools in Berlin. Along with other traditional Gymnasiums, the Gymnasium Steglitz is one of Berlin’s best-known schools.
Many notable figures have passed through these halls. These include architect Walter Gropius, TV presenter G\u00fcnther Jauch, and the founder of the Wandervogel movement, Karl Fischer. The Gymnasium Steglitz continues to shape the minds of future generations. Its rich history and commitment to education make it a cornerstone of the Steglitz community. As we conclude our visit, remember the enduring legacy of the Gymnasium Steglitz. It’s a place where tradition meets innovation.