The Dresden University School - School of the Future

At the University School Dresden pilot project, we develop, explore and scientifically evaluate innovative forms of learning, teaching and coexistence. The University School is providing the opportunity both to envision the school of the future and to practically test novel concepts based on an academic foundation.
It will be a training and continuing education school at TU Dresden.

We will rethink fundamental processes and procedures in schools and test alternatives.

University School Dresden – Facts:

• a Gemeinschaftsschule – a school form allowing for the joint learning of all students – with about 1,000 pupils at full capacity
• 1^st – 12^th grades learn in mixed age groups
• close co-operation with nursery schools and the second level of secondary school (vocational education/secondary school Gymnasium)
• the University School Dresden is designed as a publicly-operated school pilot project by the City of Dresden

Pedagogical guidelines

A school for everyone

The school embraces a broad understanding of inclusion.

School as a democratic community

The University School tests democratic forms of participation and management both within and of the school.

Our understanding of learning and education

We understand education as a process where students acquire knowledge and skills at their own initiative and personal responsibility. The University School Dresden enables both individual learning paths and skills as well as cooperative learning forms and skills.

School as a place for living and gaining experiences

As a living space, the school offers each and every one the opportunity to develop within the community.

School as a stakeholder in the local educational landscape

The school initiates collaborations with educational institutions as well as with partners from the community, society, science, leisure, religion and business in a targeted manner.

Conceptual sub-areas

1. Learning in mixed age groups, combining subjects, a full day

The University School Dresden develops organizational forms for interdisciplinary learning in a rhythmically structured process throughout the day in cross-age groups.

2. Measuring performance and assessments

The University School Dresden is based on individualised learning paths. There are no numerical grades up to year 9. Feedback on achievements is provided promptly in face-to-face talks. Proof of successful learning is documented as part of the digital learning pathways.

3. Education and technology strategy

The University School Dresden provides a basis for teaching-learning settings that allow for both individualized and cooperative learning by incorporating media education, media technology and educational theory.

4. Multilingualism and diversity

The university school develops teaching-learning settings in which students can, for example, speak different languages and learn with them. Multilingualism serves to strengthen the pluricultural identity and self-esteem of learners.

5. Transition from daycare to school

We seek active cooperation with daycare centers in the vicinity of the school. In the long term, we aim to set up our own daycare center.

6. Choosing a career and transition from school to work

The University School develops a comprehensive concept to help students in choosing and preparing their career paths as well as for their transition from school to work.

You can find more details in the Dresden University School Concept (document in German). The following explanatory video shows the didactic concept.

Our selection criteria for accepting students

In order to obtain representative results in our accompanying research, we strive to ensure that the composition of the student body ideally reflects the population average in terms of gender and the children's need for support, the parents' educational background and monolingualism/multilingualism in the family.

The target demographics are determined by the current demographic data of the population of Saxony and the national German average. This is relevant for scientific findings in the context of educational research, especially with regard to international backgrounds.

We assume the following target demographics. You can follow the development of demographics in the annual reports, to be found in the list of publications on the Dresden University School project.

• Gender: 50% girls and 50% boys
• Special educational needs: 7 to max. 10% of students
• Students with an international background: 12 to 18% children with a mother tongue other than German
• Education & training of the parents:

[1] Distribution according to microcensus - population and employment 2018

[2 ] © Statistical Office of the Free State of Saxony, Kamenz, 2018

ForUS - University School Research Center

The University School Research Center (ForUS) was founded at TU Dresden in March 2022. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences thus gained an interdisciplinary scientific institution for the development and design of the school trial. The highly ambitious project enables excellent educational research in the pilot project, which is unique of its kind in Germany. You can find more information on the website of the University School Research Center (ForUS).

Structural and evaluation commission

Since October 2020, a structuring and evaluation commission composed of renowned education experts and experienced practitioners have been monitoring and supporting the University School Dresden pilot project. All information on the work of the structuring and evaluation commission is available on the University School Dresden research website.