Tucked away in Berlin’s Westend neighborhood stands the Schele Schule. Have you ever wondered about the story behind this seemingly ordinary school building? The Schele Schule isn’t just a place of learning. It is a place with roots stretching back to the dawn of the 20th century.
Back in 1900, a private tutor named August Sodemann founded a small family school. It was initially known as Sodemann’sche Höhere Schule für Knaben und Mädchen. For many years, the school resided on Lietzenburger Straße in Berlin-Charlottenburg. It was innovative for its time. The Schele Schule operated as a Tagesheimschule. Students were taught and cared for throughout the entire day.
The school’s journey took a turn in the 1930s. Freiherr Troost von Schele assumed sponsorship. That’s how the school got its current name, Schele Schule. World War II brought devastation. The original school building was completely destroyed. But the Schele Schule persevered. It found a new home on Olympische Straße in Berlin, Neu Westend.
In 1970, the Schele Schule transitioned. It became a full-day primary school. This solidified its current structure. The structure builds upon the well-established Tagesheimschule concept. Today, the Schele Schule serves students in grades 1 through 6. Grades 1 to 4 have two classes each. Grades 5 and 6 have one class each.
As a state-recognized private primary school, the Schele Schule adheres to Berlin’s school laws and curricula. The school day runs from 8 AM to 4 PM. It divides into morning and afternoon sessions. A warm lunch is prepared in the school’s own kitchen for around 150 students.
The Schele Schule emphasizes a holistic approach to education. Lessons are taught in 80-minute blocks. This allows for rhythmic teaching and cross-curricular, project-based learning. The school also maintains a strong sense of community. Each class has a dedicated teacher. Class sizes are limited to 20 students.
The Schele Schule also has a kindergarten. It stands on a quiet street near Teufelsberg. A large garden surrounds the kindergarten. This ensures the safety of the children. The private kindergarten caters to children aged one to six. It has four learning groups. These groups consist of four to twelve children. The two-year preschool phase nurtures the children’s development. It prepares them for entry into the Schele primary school.
So, as you stand before the Schele Schule, remember its rich history. From its humble beginnings as a family school to its current role as a state-recognized Ganztagsschule. The Schele Schule remains committed to providing a nurturing and comprehensive education for its students. The Schele Schule truly embraces its motto: a “Haus des Lebens und Lernens”.