Overview
- Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf plans to convert the Wald-Gymnasium into an Integrierte Sekundarschule starting in the 2027/2028 school year, with current cohorts allowed to complete the Abitur.
- Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch opposes the move, saying new construction is the proper remedy and noting that no BVV resolution exists and her sign-off would be required.
- District officials cite projections of roughly 1,000 missing ISS places and about 800 excess Gymnasium places by 2030, and local ISS leaders back conversion as the fastest, most affordable fix.
- Günther-Wünsch points to a Berlin-wide shortage of more than 20,000 school places across all types and rejects claims that her tightened Gymnasium admissions created additional pressure on ISS schools.
- Party leaders weigh in: the Left and the Greens welcome conversions where Gymnasium demand falls, the SPD criticizes the senator’s stance, and the AfD condemns the Wald-Gymnasium plan as a planning failure.