New Elisabeth-Selbert-Realschule opens in Esslingen: A place for education!

New Elisabeth-Selbert-Realschule opens in Esslingen: A place for education!

Today, May 29, 2025, the new secondary school in Esslingen was officially opened. The school is located in Pliensauvorstadt, on the site of the former Adalbert Stifter School, which was closed in 2019 due to declining student numbers. The new building, which was financed with over 18 million euros and was completed at the beginning of 2025, represents a significant development for the city's school landscape. The new secondary school was founded in 2020 and has grown from 56 to 340 students within five years. The first cohort will graduate from secondary school in 2026.

As part of the new building, lessons took place in containers and in rooms in the neighboring Waldorf school during the construction period. Construction work began in March 2023 after the old main building part was demolished. The new building comprises three parts of the building with a total area of ​​around 4,350 square meters, which were designed by the Esslingen architectural firm Fritzen 28 and are reminiscent of the blades of a windmill in shape.

Modern architecture and furnishings

The new secondary school is not only architecturally appealing, but also functionally well thought out. It includes a specialist classroom for biology, physics and chemistry as well as two learning houses, each of which contains several classrooms. Barrier-free access is guaranteed by an elevator between the old and new buildings. The interiors are designed with exposed concrete and light wood, while daylight-controlled lighting in all rooms ensures a pleasant learning environment.

The construction site focused on sustainability; The school's flat roof is being greened and a photovoltaic system has been installed. The outdoor area offers open spaces for special activities such as a school garden and a green classroom. In addition, the outdoor facilities should also be accessible outside of school hours in order to promote community-oriented use.

Social and educational concept

In the future, the school will be called Elisabeth-Selbert-Realschule, named after the pioneer of gender equality in Germany. School spokesman Can Atli praised Elisabeth Selbert as a role model for equality and perseverance. The chairman of the parents' council, Alexander Hampel, emphasized the strong sense of unity within the school community.

School district director Kirstin Braun describes the new educational facility as a place that contributes to personal development and opportunities. Organizationally, the school is based on the New Authority concept, which emphasizes a non-violent and supportive learning environment. This concept is also reflected in the pedagogical architecture, which is supported by the Montag Foundations in order to raise quality standards in school education.

The Elisabeth-Selbert-Realschule is an example of the changes in German school construction. In accordance with the new requirements, the performance of the students is promoted through modern structural measures. The guidelines for such new buildings are constantly updated and developed by various bodies, including the Montag Foundations, in order to meet the requirements of modern learning environments.

The students are scheduled to move to the new school institution after the Christmas holidays in 2025, after the final equipment details such as sanitary facilities and IT technology have been installed. The new secondary school offers space for a maximum of 540 students in six years and will therefore make an important contribution to the educational landscape in Esslingen.