Technische Oberschule Stuttgart

In 1957, the Technische Oberschule Stuttgart emerged as a beacon of opportunity. Right here, at Hohenheimer Straße 12, stands this pioneering institution. The Technische Oberschule Stuttgart is Germany’s oldest school of its kind. It offers a second chance at higher education. Originally designed for those with vocational training and a middle-school education, it allows them to obtain the fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-specific university entrance qualification) in just two years. With the addition of a second foreign language, students can even achieve the allgemeine Hochschulreife, or Abitur. The Technische Oberschule Stuttgart also offers one-year programs. These programs grant students the Fachhochschulreife, qualifying them for studies at universities of applied sciences. For those lacking the required middle-school diploma, the Berufsaufbauschule provides a one-year program to obtain it. The school’s history is deeply intertwined with Stuttgart’s post-war educational landscape. Its roots can be traced back to 1937 when “Förderklassen” were established at vocational schools. These classes provided gifted students further education, paving their path to engineering or construction schools. The first precursor to the Technische Oberschule Stuttgart, a course promoting pre-study for young skilled workers, began in 1938. It was unfortunately interrupted after three years due to World War II. The Technische Oberschule Stuttgart found its current home in 1963, in a building originally constructed as the Wilhelm-Realschule between 1894 and 1896. Designed by Stuttgart’s city architect Emil Mayer, this historic structure is remarkable. Its light brown Haller Werkstein facades, granite base, and slate-covered roof, it stands on a pointed plot between Hohenheimer Straße and Danneckerstraße. Two wings of the building converge into a corner pavilion, crowned by a dome reminiscent of the Reichstag building in Berlin. The architecture reflects the French Baroque style, characteristic of representative buildings of that era. The school building is now a protected monument. In 2018, the Technische Oberschule Stuttgart merged with the Gewerbliche Schule im Hoppenlau. Yet, the school continues its legacy at Hohenheimer Straße 12. Several notable figures have passed through the halls of the Technische Oberschule Stuttgart. Among them are Hans-Jörg Bullinger, former president of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, and astronaut Ernst Messerschmid. This institution continues to empower individuals to reach their full potential, offering a pathway to academic success.