The Helmholtz School (4)

Secondary schools

an educational summary
Kurfürstenstraße 53
14467 Potsdam
fon:0331 289-7580
fax: 0331 289-7581

helmholtzschule@t-online.de

Hermann-von-Helmholtz Grammar School is a ‘Europaschule’. Founded in 1739 the school considers itself to be committed to the fundamental values of tolerance, internationality and motivation. In the context of their extensive educational partnerships this is reflected in the Comenius Programme of the EU; numerous events on European policy issues; and the cooperation with European and European-political organisations. With this the school strives to deepen the European idea.
The school is committed to high standards of classroom work, recognising and praising successful academic progress and extracurricular activities. Friends of the school support its success by honouring students and teachers with an award for outstanding contribution. The Helmholtz school takes talent and class achievement on and goes to great lengths to encourage talented students, who in the future, could be in high positions of power in large Corporations.
The current emphasis within the subject-related academic areas is on the continuous improvement of curricular opportunities, the development towards an increased profile and the use of extracurricular training locations. To provide this, since 1991, the Maths and Science branch (including computer science) has been massively expanded so that the school can demonstrate their potential through their participation in competitions at the local, county and national levels.
Helmholtz Grammar School is a member of MINT-EC and uses its inherent advantages for internal networking and collectively useful additional training. The teaching of Mathematics and Science is complemented by in-school and external workshops as well as offering a general encouragement of scientific knowledge for interested parties.

The bilingual, German-English branch gives extensive foreign language training. Not only does increased contact hours for English provide a different form of organisation, but provides for the teaching of history, economic science and political education in English. Gradually other subjects are to be supplemented with English language modules too.

The orientation of the national competition in foreign languages ​​and tests, or rather certificates like DELF (French) and CertiLingua, also contribute to the ability to study at overseas events and in particular participate in English events such as the European Youth Parliament or the European model parliament.

The music branch, previously created by a special music class from the General Secondary School, ensures an extensive musical training thanks to a different form of organisation. The department features the Pop Choir, the Big Band and the large Choir Ensembles, who boast both county and national level experience. Different genres of music are available to students because of this different musical approach. This includes group music, musical theater, music and movement, and Dance.

In order to provide extra-curricular activities, the school requires non-school partners for the provision of practical work, (scientific institutes in Potsdam, University of Potsdam, industrial firms) additional course offerings and joint ventures (Urania, VHS, Treffpunkt Freizeit, MINT EC). The school is constantly working together with business associations and companies. There are cooperation agreements with the University of Potsdam, Daimler Financial Services AG and O2 Germany. The school also works together with different universities.