Founded in 1925 the Max-Klinger-Schule has a rich history. It began as the IV Higher Girls’ School. Its first location was at Saalfelder Strasse 29. Then it moved to Antonienstrasse 24. On December 1 1927 it was renamed Max-Klinger-Schule. This honored the famous Leipzig sculptor painter and graphic artist Max Klinger.
A new building was constructed for the school in Karl-Heine-Strasse 22b. The architect was Leipzig city building director Hubert Ritter. From 1940 to 1945 the school served as a hospital. Classes were held in Meißen and Coswig. After the war the school resumed classes in its Karl-Heine-Strasse building. Later the building housed the Pädagogisches Institut Leipzig.
In 1950 the Max-Klinger-Schule moved again. This time to the building at Adler. It occupied the top two floors. The lower floors housed the 50th Polytechnic Secondary School. During the GDR era it became an Extended Secondary School. Students from the 9th to 12th grades attended. Its school choir founded by music teacher Frank Hirsch gained city-wide recognition.
On October 24 1983 a new building opened. This was at Miltitzer Weg 4 in the Grünau district. In 1991 the school became a Gymnasium. It expanded to the neighboring building at Miltitzer Weg 2. In 2004 the Georg-Christoph-Lichtenberg-Schule was merged with the Max-Klinger-Schule. The new school was named Gymnasium Grünau.
Since the 2017/2018 school year classes have only been held at Miltitzer Weg 4. This is because of renovations. The school is planned to be part of a campus with a nearby secondary school. The Max-Klinger-Schule offers bilingual modules. It also has a strong focus on science and the arts. It’s a member of the Junior Engineering Academy network. It has exchange programs with schools in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen Litoměřice and Herzlia. A student project investigated the fate of Jewish students during the Nazi era. This resulted in the placement of Stolpersteine. The school also has its own radio station Max.Radio. The school boasts notable alumni including Marianne Meyer-Krahmer Lieselotte Finke-Poser and Kai Pflaume. The Max-Klinger-Schule stands as a testament to Leipzig’s educational heritage and its commitment to fostering excellence.