Maria Leo Primary School in Berlin wins German School Prize 2025!

Maria Leo Primary School in Berlin wins German School Prize 2025!

In a festive setting today, the German School Prize 2025 honored the Maria Leo Elementary School in Berlin-Pankow. This is a first, because for the first time the main prize goes to Berlin. The prize is awarded by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Heidehof Foundation and is endowed with 100,000 euros, a real treat for the award-winning school. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced the decision during the award ceremony.

The jury particularly praised the high quality of teaching, the clear goal orientation and the comprehensive overall concept of the school. An outstanding feature is the innovative learning house principle. Each floor has its own learning rooms with multi-professional teams who offer the students modern and individually supported learning. In addition, a level-up system enables children to take on more responsibility and freedom step by step, which promotes independence.

A model of school development

The Maria Leo primary school is considered a model for contemporary school development. The children learn independently at their own pace, without a fixed timetable. You have the opportunity to learn specifically in specialist rooms and take on responsibility, be it as a caretaker or in the student parliament. The concept also includes a child-friendly and inspiring all-day program. These characteristics are widely recognized as hallmarks of good school quality and make school a place where learning is enjoyable.

Senator for Education, Youth and Family, Katharina Günther-Wünsch, emphasized the importance of this educational concept and the commitment of the teachers. She will visit the school on October 1st at 2:30 p.m. to personally congratulate the principal. The media is invited to this visit and the anticipation is already palpable.

Award winners and recognition

Part of the prize money also goes to other schools, which are also recognized for their quality. The schools in Hamburg, Gelsenkirchen, Meißen and Weimar as well as the international school in Tbilisi, Georgia, will each receive 30,000 euros. In addition, the Grace Hopper Comprehensive School in Teltow will receive a recognition prize of 5,000 euros, which shows how important it is to promote good education in Germany.

This prize has been awarded since 2006 to schools that offer particularly good school quality. This year the jury particularly highlighted the strengths of the Maria Leo Primary School. With its innovative approaches, the school ensures that it is not only ahead of the curve in the curriculum, but also creates a place where children can learn responsibility and team spirit. For this school, which inspires both the children and the teachers, the German School Prize is a well-deserved award.

For more information please read at RBB24 to or visit the official Website of the Berlin Senate Administration.