School History

The History of the iDSB


1803

Foundation of a Protestant German School in Brussels

1879

Closure of the school due to cancellation of subsidies

1892

Re-foundation of the German School at 13 Rue des Plantes

1894

Relocation to 21 Rue du Grand Hospice

1897

Relocation to 2-3 Impasse du Parc

1902

Relocation to 17 Rue des Minimes

1910

Foundation of the Alumni Association

1912

First maturity exam for girls

1919

Dismissal of all teachers

1929

Resumption of classes in the Rue des Minimes

1944

Dissolution of the German School

1951

Foundation of the German School Society Brussels / Re-foundation at Av. Vandendriesche 73

1952-1954

Headmaster Dr Peter Michels

1952

Relocation to 284 Avenue de Tervuren

1954-1962

Headmaster Dr Hans Göttling

1958-1986

President of the School Association Freddy de Medicis

1962-1965

Headmaster Paul Löwenich

1965-1972

Headmaster Franz Baez

1968

Construction of the school building in Wezembeek-Oppem

1969

Relocation to Lange Eikstraat 71 in Wezembeek-Oppem

1973-1978

Headmaster Dr Werner Haubrich

1978-1985

Headmaster Dr Lothar Wittmann

1979

Construction of the primary school building opposite the main building

1985-1993

Headmaster Dieter Schiefer

1986-2002

President of the School Association Dr Klaus Meyer-Horn

1993-1996

Headmaster Günther Dischinger

1993

The school yearbook is published for the first time

1996-2004

Headmaster Helmut Jolk

1996

Launch of the school website

1998

Introducing French as a partner language from Year 1 onwards

1998

Start of renovation work in the secondary school building (until 2000)

1999

Shortening of schooling to 12 years (as the first German school)

2001

Introducing the class system in the gymnasiale Oberstufe / setting up an electronic school network

2002-2008

President of the School Association Jürgen Ernst

2002

Opening of the technical secondary school for economics, administration and jurisprudence

2003

Introduction of harmonised teaching times in primary and secondary schools

2003

Introduction of laptops in classes at the technical secondary school 

2004

Simultaneous matriculation examination in the 12- and 13-year system / first-time award of the entrance qualification for a university of applied sciences

2004-2010

Headmaster Dr Walter Karbach

2005

  • Renaming to International German School Brussels – iDSB
  • Service and support agreement with the Federal Office of Administration (BVA)
  • Introduction of bilingual groups in kindergarten and pre-school
  • Introduction of English in the primary school
  • Introduction of bilingual history lessons in English
  • Introduction of open all-day classes in the primary school
  • Start of renovation work in the primary school building (until 2007)

2006

  • Online self-evaluation with the Bertelsmann Foundation
  • Target agreement on pedagogical quality management with the BVA
  • Introduction of Business English in the Fachoberschule
  • Introduction of the European Portfolio of Languages

2007

  • External peer review evaluation
  • Acquisition of digital whiteboards in the Upper School
  • Introduction of the principles of cooperative learning

2008

  • Introduction of the vocational orientation internship in the High School
  • Federal and state school inspection: “Excellent German School Abroad” certificate
  • 1st prize in the DIHK competition “Pupils Building Bridges Worldwide”
  • Introduction of a new all-day system in the secondary school
  • Introduction of a new timetable in the secondary school /introduction of Economics

2008-2011

President of the school Association Dr. Jörg-Thomas Dierks

2011

First award of the German International Baccalaureate (DIAP)

ab 2011

Headmaster Jürgen Langlet, President of the school Association Andreas Beckmann

2012

  • Introduction of bilingual biology lessons in English
  • Introduction of Spanish as a third foreign language (optional)
  • Introduction of a science profile in years 8-9
  • Introduction of performance-based learning groups in English and French
  • Introduction of tablets for all teachers
  • Introduction of regular class observations, compulsory teamwork and parallel class tests

2013

Start of a close cooperation with the D Y Patil International School in Antwerp

2014

Federal and State School Inspectorate: “Excellent German School Abroad” Certificate

2015

  • Start of the annual “Jugend Musiziert” competition
  • Start of participation in the “Model United Nations” competition

2017

  • Hosting of the national competition “Jugend Musiziert” for the region of North-East Europe
  • Headmistress: Bettina Biste

2020

Provisional Headmaster: Jörg Heinrichs

2022

  • Headmaster: Jochen Flohn
  • Renewed federal and state school inspection: “Excellent German School Abroad” certificate

2023

Awarded the “Excellent German School Abroad” seal of approval for the third time by the Federal and State Inspectorate (BLI)

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