Gaußschule Braunschweig: Planned expansion for G9 operations!

Gaußschule Braunschweig: Planned expansion for G9 operations!

The school landscape in Braunschweig will soon have a new look. On June 18, 2025, the Planning and Building Construction Committee made the decision to build an extension for the renowned Gaußschule. This decision is directly related to the switch from G8 to G9, a circumstance that is currently affecting many federal states. The return to the G9 system is seen by many as necessary to better prepare students for the challenges of the Abitur. Let's travel through time a bit and shed light on the background to this reform and its effects on the Gauss School.

The new building, which is being built in place of the previous sports hall, will not only expand the school's spatial capacity, but also meet the most modern requirements for accessibility and environmentally friendly construction. A three-story building is planned with a ground floor that will accommodate rooms for theater, music and all-day activities. On the second floor there are classrooms that are connected to the existing school complex via a glazed transition. The roof will be extensively greened and equipped with a photovoltaic system, which not only makes ecological sense but can also be operated cost-effectively. Overall, the construction costs amount to around 16.4 million euros, and construction is scheduled to begin in the summer holidays of 2026. Completion is planned for the 2028/29 school year.

The context of school reforms

The return to G9 is more than just a trend – it reflects deeper challenges in the German education system that go beyond Braunschweig. Numerous school reforms have been initiated in the last two decades, many of them without the hoped-for progress in the systematic support of students. The first PISA survey recognized the urgency of language training, but many initiatives were not consistently pursued. This is particularly true for low-performing students, who often do not receive sufficient support.

A particularly big mistake that is being discussed in connection with the return to the G9 is the exorbitant increase in costs associated with this reform. Studies show that G8 had no demonstrable negative impact on students. Nevertheless, the pressure on schools and teachers is increasing. The introduction of G9 could provide relief here, as it offers students more time for learning and personal development, without the stress of a busy school day that often extends into the late afternoon hours.

Representatives from various federal states, including Lower Saxony, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, have already switched to the G9 system or are planning to do so. These developments show that the discussion about the ideal education system is far from over and is still being pursued vehemently. The successes or failures of these system changes will have a lasting impact on the future educational landscape.

The impact on Braunschweig students

With the new sports hall, which will be located on Ackerstrasse after the old facility is demolished in the 2028/29 school year, the students of the Gaußschule will also be able to access the essential offerings in physical education lessons, which take place on a full-day basis. Until then, the winter sports lessons will temporarily be held at the IGS Wendenring.

The Gaußschule is thus positioning itself as a sustainable educational institution that actively faces the challenges of the reforms. A successful combination of modern educational approaches and the promotion of students' individual talents is crucial in order to meet the increasingly complex demands of life.

With a view to the upcoming reforms and the necessary changes in school policy, the Gaußschule is not only a place of learning, but also a place of change that will be formative for many students. Let’s stay tuned to see how these developments will unfold.

braunschweig.de reports that the decision to build the extension was made on June 18, 2025, while on deutsches-schulportal.de more about the general challenges of the education system can be found. Further information on the return from G8 to G9 is available zdfheute.de.