From a living room class to a state-of-the-art educational facility with two locations
Anyone embarking on a journey through the history of the Deutsche Schule Shanghai will have to buckle up, because since it was opened in 1995 by the newly founded Schulverein Deutsche Schule Shanghai e. V., the learning facility has developed at a rapid pace from a tiny classroom with four students to what is today a state-of-the-art, award-winning educational institution.
At its two locations in Hongqiao and Yangpu, the school currently offers more than 1,250 children and young people from kindergarten to high school a place of learning and togetherness, making it one of the largest German schools abroad in the world. With the opening of the second EuroCampus in the 2019/20 school year, the DSS is once again setting the course for the future.
The most important milestones of this success story are summarized below.
2021
The global pandemic is also leaving its mark on Shanghai. Nevertheless, the DSS can start the school year 2021/22 with stable student numbers.
2020
On January 8, 2020, the Eurocampus in Yangpu opens its doors and a new chapter in the school history of DSS begins.
After only three months of corona-related school closure, all classes and groups gradually return. All final exams can be taken in the 2019/20 school year. The Yangpu campus fills with life, and students conquer the new grounds.
2019
On January 20, 2019, the school community celebrates the topping-out ceremony of the new school building in Yangpu district together. In the future, the 56,666-square-meter site will provide space for around 700 children and young people to learn and develop.
In February, the homepage shines in new splendor. A fresh design, a better overview and a site that also works on cell phones and the like go online.
After two years of theory and practice, the first class of the Hongqiao site's technical secondary school (FOS) will be formally discharged in June 2019. The third FOS class will already begin classes in mid-August 2019.
2018
Awarded the title of "Excellent German School Abroad" for the first time in 2011, the Hongqiao site once again proves its outstanding qualities in the Bund-Länder Inspection 2.0 in October 2018 and may continue to bear the seal of approval.
In Yangpu district, the new building, Deutsche Schule Shanghai Yangpu (DSSY), is progressing steadily. The Pudong school community will move into the new campus together with the Lycée Français de Shanghai.
2017
At the start of the 2017/18 school year, Deutsche Schule Shanghai EuroCampus changes its name to Deutsche Schule Shanghai Hongqiao. This step is intended to avoid confusion with the future Eurocampus in Yangpu.
Another new feature at the Hongqiao location is the introduction of the Fachhochschulreife (FOS) in the field of business and administration as a new educational qualification.
2016
With a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, the foundation stone for the new building of the German School Shanghai Pudong in Yangpu will be laid on December 3, 2016.
2015
The School Association of the German School Shanghai celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2015: What began in 1995 as a small elementary school has developed in two decades into one of the world's largest German schools abroad with two locations.
Other highlights of the year include the adoption of a dedicated mission statement and slogan for the Pudong site and, in the fall, the renewed awarding of the Eurocampus as a "MINT-friendly school."
In November 2015, the winner of the architectural competition for the new Franco-German campus in Yangpu is determined: the internationally renowned Hamburg-based architectural firm gmp Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners convinces the jury with a concept that particularly meets the educational requirements and needs in terms of space utilization, organizational structure and design.
2014
Another important milestone for the Pudong site was the award of the title "Excellent German School Abroad" by the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA) in March 2014 after successfully completing the federal-state inspection (BLI). This puts the school on a par with the Hongqiao site, which has held the seal of approval since 2012.
In April 2014, the plans for the new building of the German School Shanghai Pudong will be presented at the Chamber Meeting of the German Chamber of Commerce. The suitable plot of land for the future campus is acquired in Yangpu in November.
Abitur certificates are awarded for the first time in Pudong and the school community bids farewell to the first Realschule graduates.
To further improve indoor air quality, airlocks are installed at both German School Shanghai campuses in fall 2014. The Eurocampus will also get automatic doors and the group rooms of the daycare center will be equipped with additional ceiling filters.
2013
After construction delays, the library at the Eurocampus can reopen for book lending on March 6, 2013.
2012
In 2012, construction will begin on a new school library at the Eurocampus with more than 1,000 square meters of space, as well as an administration wing. Construction is also underway at the Pudong site: Premises and canteen are generously expanded, there is now a dedicated theater and the piazza becomes the focal point of the main building.
In September 2012, the Eurocampus not only receives certification as a "CertiLingua Excellence Label School," an additional qualification that replaces language entrance exams at international universities, among other things, but also the distinction of being a "MINT-friendly school."
In 2012, the school association publishes a separate yearbook for each location for the first time. Every student receives a copy free of charge each year.
2011
In February 2011, the Deutsche Schule Shanghai presents itself for the first time at the didacta education fair in Hanover.
At the beginning of the school year, the campus in Pudong becomes an independent school. However, the current Deutsche Schule Shanghai Pudong will continue to be run by the joint school association together with the Hongqiao site.
2010
In 2010, the Eurocampus will receive a new, colorful facade.
In Pudong, 200 students already attend the campus, which alone makes the branch of the Deutsche Schule Shanghai one of the larger schools abroad in Asia. The rapid growth is also noticeable in the lack of space, which is why there is a further major expansion. The secondary school is given its own floor with a break area, and there are now specialist rooms for art and music as well as a new library.
2009
In spring 2009, a German International Abitur examination can be taken for the first time at the Deutsche Schule Shanghai with the English-language subjects Geography and History.
In October 2009, the Deutsche Schule Shanghai breaks the 1,000-student mark, with around 200 girls and boys attending the school in Pudong. In addition, the swimming pool at the Hongqiao site is opened after only six months of construction.
Highlights of the year for the Deutsche Schule Shanghai are the 15th anniversary celebration and the awarding of the Eurocampus as an "Excellent German School Abroad".
2008
In March 2008, the school in Pudong gets a library, and in the summer, the first independent secondary school class at Eurocampus Hongqiao takes its secondary school leaving certificate.
In cooperation with the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad and German companies in Shanghai, the vocational college, an initiative to train school-leavers, is launched on September 3, 2008: Five young people begin their internationally recognized apprenticeship as wholesale and foreign trade clerks at the Deutsche Schule Shanghai.
2007
On April 13, 2007, another big step in the school's history is taken: The lease for the campus in Pudong is signed. On September 3, around 60 children move into the remodeled school building on Ju Feng Lu with kindergarten, elementary school and grades 5 and 6. At the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year, the classes barely exceed ten students, but by mid-year the numbers have already doubled.
On April 14, 2007, the Fine Arts Center opens at the Eurocampus with a theater hall and music and art rooms.
On May 29, 2007, the Deutsche Schule Shanghai Hongqiao adopts a mission statement and, just a little later, the motto "Gemeinsam wagen. Geborgen wachsen".
In addition, the revised and restructured website goes online in October.
2006
In March 2005, the members of the school association decide to limit the number of students in the future and to consider establishing a branch of the German School Shanghai.
In May 2006, just eight months after moving in, the first expansion work and new buildings begin at the Eurocampus.
2005
In the spring of 2005, the first class graduates with Abitur from the German School Shanghai. As a result of the subsequent recognition by the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs in July 2005, the educational institution is now a complete school, leading from kindergarten to the Abitur.
At the end of the school year, the school community celebrates its farewell from Jin Hui Lu. After the summer vacations, the new Eurocampus on Gaoguang Lu is occupied in September 2005, again uniting the German and French schools in one building. The official opening of the Eurocampus will take place on November 19, 2005, after exactly 15 months of construction. By then, the Franco-German building committee will have met around 125 times.
2004
In 2004, the time has come: On June 19, the foundation stone is laid at the Eurocampus and already in November, the interior construction can begin.
At the beginning of the 2004/2005 school year, more than 500 students and daycare children attend the Deutsche Schule Shanghai.
2003
On April 7, 2003, the first joint meeting of members in the history of Franco-German schools marks the start of construction of the Eurocampus in Hongqiao. The presentation of the architectural designs takes place on September 13, 2003.
2002
From April 3 to 7, 2002, the first World Congress of German Schools Abroad will take place in Mexico under the motto "Learning for the future: from each other - for each other". The Deutsche Schule Shanghai is also on site to work out new goals and tasks for the German schools abroad in a future-oriented way together with its fellow participants.
In 2002, the space available at the current location on Jin Hui Lu can no longer keep up with the rapid growth in student numbers. Therefore, the decision is made to invest in a new building, which will again be shared with the French School. In November 2002, the Deutsche Schule Shanghai is granted a plot of land in the Qingpu District.
2001
From May 16 to 18, the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA) and the Federal-State Committee for School Work Abroad (BLASchA) visit the school. The Middle school maturity or the examination for transfer to the gymnasiale Oberstufe is now possible, but with the restriction that the school is not yet allowed to award the KMK degrees itself. In May, the 10th grade students therefore have to fly to the neighboring school in Kuala Lumpur for their oral examination and also receive their certificate there.
During the summer vacations, laboratories are being built on the roof of the school.
2000
In spring 2000, a neighboring factory building is converted to create space for additional classes. Teachers are given long-term contracts for the first time, which ensures quality in the sense of sustainable school development. The Deutsche Schule Shanghai thus becomes a trendsetter in Asia.
1999
In September 1999, about 140 children attend the German School Shanghai and the affiliated day care center. Since the summer, the school has had its own website where students, teachers and parents can exchange information.
1998
In 1998, the afternoon program at the German School Shanghai grew and enriched the students' leisure time with sports, computer and art clubs. There is also close contact with the school's neighbors. For example, English lessons are taught jointly to German and French children.
1997
At the beginning of the 1997/1998 school year, the Deutsche Schule Shanghai becomes a school abroad sponsored by Germany. For reasons of space, the school moves to Jin Hui Lu, a former printing shop building that has been converted into a school. For the first time, there is a music room, a gymnasium, a laboratory and a canteen.
1996
In September 1996, the German School Shanghai moves into several residential buildings in the New Asia Rainbow Garden compound, which are also shared with the French School. There are 29 students in the school and 28 children enrolled in the daycare center. The school now also has its own library with German books. A large lawn planted with trees serves as the schoolyard.
1995
On September 4, 1995, the Deutsche Schule Shanghai opens its doors for the first time. In a villa in the park of the Cypress Hotel on Hongqiao Lu, two teachers teach four students in so-called living room classes. This start was made possible by the founding of the private school association Deutsche Schule Shanghai e. V. on January 19, 1995, as the sponsor of the educational institution, and the decision to cooperate with the French School, which continues to this day.
2021 to date: Jörg Brosemann (Yangpu)
02/2020 to date: Susanne Heß (Hongqiao)
2018 until 01/2020: Robert Cohnen (Hongqiao)
2014-2021: Sven Heineken (Pudong/Yangpu)
2014-2018: Regine Michel (Hongqiao)
2011-2014: Dr. Wolfram Schrimpf (Pudong)
2008-2014: Manfred Lauck (Hongqiao)
2003-2008: Dr. Jürgen Schumann (Hongqiao)
1999-2003: Dieter Stanik (Hongqiao)
1997-1999: Brigitte Sand (Hongqiao)
1995-1997: Renate Ernst-Teng (Hongqiao)
2020 to date: Dubravka Wenner
2017 until 2020: Frank Schröder
2012-2017: Ralph Koppitz
2003-2012: Detlef Ernst
2001-2003: Prof. Thomas Harnisch
1998-2001: Dr. Sabine Rudischhauser
1995-1998: Adolf Schittenhelm