20 years of good Spascher sand: from the elite school to the local community

20 years of good Spascher sand: from the elite school to the local community

The private school Gut Spascher Sand, located in an idyllic environment, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The start -up vision was not the creation of an elitist educational institution, but the goal of correcting the mistakes of the traditional state school system. Managing Director Henning Emler von Maydell explains: "It should never be an elite school."

origin and motivation

The impetus to the foundation of the school came in the early 2000s when the worrying results of the Pisa studies teased the educational landscape in Germany. Wolfgang and Renate Rixen, the founders of the school, had become aware of the historical good through contacts and put their vision into practice by investing millions in this unique project. The school buildings were largely built, but architectural elements of the estate mentioned for the first time in the 15th century remained preserved.

educational approach and school structure

The school opened on August 19, 2004 with a kindergarten and two first classes. After intensive discussions, they decided to establish an integrated comprehensive school. "This should be a system that exhausts the errors of the state system," said Emler. Currently, 90 children are taught in the crib and kindergarten, 70 in primary school and 120 in the secondary school. In the school year 2026/27, a reopening of the high school is planned after it was paused due to too fast expansion.

integration of the community and events

An important part of the commitment of the private school is the event "Good from the Gut", which takes place on September 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event has established itself as a popular meeting place for the local community: around 6,000 visitors were on site last year. In addition to street food and an extended medieval market, an art and craftsman market will also take place. Local artists as well as facilities such as the fire brigade and the police will present themselves. For families there is a wide range of leisure activities with music, a circus and children's theater performances.

open school community

The private school of good Spascher Sand not only pursues individual support for the students, but also attaches importance to a closer relationship between teachers and students. Emler underlines: "We are single, we want to know the children." At the moment, the students are equipped with uniform tops that are kept in dark blue and show the school logo. This strengthens cohesion and belonging within the school community.

Future view

An elementary part of school philosophy is the scholarship regulation, which benefits ten children from a radius of 50 kilometers. The school plans to continue to respond to the needs and potentials of its students in the future and to establish itself as an alternative educational institution in the region. The celebrations for the 20th anniversary continued in April 2025 with a circus festival for kindergarten children and students and bring together the school community and the surrounding area.