“One only understands what one can do oneself.
And one only grasps what one can bring forth oneself.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A place of understanding, comprehension, individual development, and everyday collaboration: that is our Otto Hahn Gymnasium. We accompany young people at our school to prepare them for life; to provide them with everything they need for their personal and professional journey that we, as a school, can offer. What that might be? It depends on the interplay of so many factors: on us as teachers, as guides, on the school building as a place of inspiration, on the learners themselves, and on the supportive, sometimes demanding encouragement from their families, whom we see as important partners to help our students develop to their fullest potential.

As the principal, I feel responsible for creating an atmosphere together with my colleagues in which understanding, comprehension, and learning can take place in a focused, social, and fair manner. At the OHG, diversity is nurtured and lived from grade 5 to graduation; in the learning content, school subjects, and profiles – from natural sciences and technology to specialized core subjects like sports and Italian, as well as the bilingual program starting in grade 5, where students are taught in English. Areas of interest may change over the years; talents emerge in different ways, and our school adapts flexibly to the development of the learners and their goals by allowing for shifts in focus.

Speaking of focus: on our website, you will find many examples of the areas of emphasis we offer at our school. We are a Digital School, a Cultural School, a STEM School, a School Without Racism, and an Environmental School. We offer international exchanges through the Erasmus program, individual coaching, experiential education, and joint activities in the form of various clubs, such as the Girls' Research Club or the Bee Club. In interdisciplinary, career-preparatory projects, scientific theory is translated into practice; for example, in “Sports Meets STEM” or in organizing a Cultural Night.

More than all the content, projects, and profiles, one thing is at the center of our focus: the young, curious person who not only learns facts and reproduces knowledge but also does as much as possible by themselves and brings forth new ideas. From doing to understanding. In the spirit of Goethe, the brilliant universal scholar!

Mario Lietzau
Principal