Taunusgymnasium

Nestled in Königstein im Taunus, the Taunusgymnasium has witnessed a century of growth and transformation. The Taunusgymnasium’s story begins in 1916, amidst the turmoil of World War I. It wasn’t the grand institution you see today. It started as a merger between a “Private Rektoratsschule” and the “Taunus-Institut,” a girls’ boarding school. This newly formed entity, the Städtische Taunus-Realschule, marked the beginning of secondary education in Königstein. The school moved to a building known as the “Alte Schulchen” in 1918, offering classes up to Obertertia. The Taunusgymnasium’s journey continued after World War II, reopening its doors in 1946 under the leadership of Ernst Majer-Leonhard. His legacy is immortalized in a bronze statue at the site of the “Alte Schulchen.” The statue depicts him holding Latin books, symbolizing the school’s focus on a classical education. The burgeoning student population necessitated a new building in the late 1950s. This new structure, completed in 1962, stands as the current Altbau, a testament to the school’s expansion. The school’s growth reflected its expanding reach beyond Königstein. Students from neighboring districts and even other states flocked to its doors. The 1970s brought a wave of educational reform. The Taunusgymnasium transformed into a Gesamtschule (comprehensive school), integrating Haupt- (secondary modern) and Realschule (intermediate school) alongside the Gymnasium. This period also saw the construction of a new building, now the main building of the Taunusgymnasium. However, this new building required extensive renovations due to asbestos concerns in the early 1990s. Following the educational reforms of the late 1980s, the school returned to a traditional three-tiered system. The Taunusgymnasium regained its identity as a Gymnasium in 2006, while the Haupt- and Realschule branches formed the neighboring Friedrich-Stoltze-Schule. The Taunusgymnasium continues to evolve, upholding its commitment to academic excellence. Its focus on mathematics, natural sciences, and music provides a well-rounded education for its 1,100 students. The school’s history, etched into its walls and reflected in the achievements of its alumni, speaks to the enduring power of education and adaptation. From its humble beginnings, the Taunusgymnasium has emerged as a pillar of the community, shaping the minds of generations.