“Haven of peace in the urban jungle.” That’s what they call the Vogelsangschule today. But let’s journey back to a time when this school was just a dream. Stuttgart’s West needed a new elementary school after the Second World War. The Johannesschule was housed in the Schwab- and Friedensschule. It had been bombed out in 1943.
In 1950, 76 classes with 3400 children were packed into that building complex. Two years later, classes from the Hasenbergschule and part of the Hauswirtschaftliche Berufsschule joined them. Lessons had to be held in shifts. The city sought land and found it in the “Vogelsang”. Dipl. -Ing. and architect Günter Behnisch was commissioned to build the school.
The challenges were immense. The north slope was scarred by a deep ravine. Air raid shelters riddled the ground beneath. There was no access road. Paulusstraße had to be extended. Four large terraces now supported the new school. The main building stood above four pavilions on each side. Further down, on Seyfferstraße, was the gymnasium.
In 1962, the architect received the Bonatz Prize for “Social Buildings” for this achievement. Commissions came from Denmark, France, and Belgium. They wanted to see one of Germany’s most modern schools. February 2, 1961 was moving day for the new Vogelsangschule students. These weren’t Johannesschule pupils, but Friedensschule ones. The new school was in their catchment area.
Each child carried a school supply. First graders led the way. Older students followed in order up to eighth grade. They walked past the Elisabethenkirche. They went up Bismarckstraße. They continued over the partly rebuilt Paulusstraße to the Vogelsangschule. Each child received a pretzel to strengthen themselves after arriving at the new school.
The name recalled the “Rotenwäldle”. It was once a bird paradise on the school grounds. The dedication took place on Friday, February 3, 1961 at 10 a.m. Appropriately, the lower grades performed “The Bird Wedding”. The new school soon proved too small. Fifth graders were moved out in 1965. The Vogelsangschule has been an elementary school since the 1967/68 school year. Today, the Vogelsangschule stands as a testament to innovation and community spirit. It is more than just a school. It’s a place where history and education intertwine. A haven of peace, indeed, in the heart of Stuttgart. Contact the Vogelsangschule at Paulusstraße 30. The phone number is 07 11 / 216 336 00.