| German School of Athens | |
|---|---|
| Dörpfeld College-School | |
| Established | 1896 |
| Type | Private |
| Students | 1,000 |
| Location | Athens, Greece |
| Website | http://www.dsathen.gr |
The German School of Athens, or Deutsche Schule Athen (GSA / DSA, in Greek Γερμανική Σχολή Αθηνών, ΓΣΑ or also known Dörpfeld Gymnasium), is a coeducational independent, high school in Greece. The school has been in operation since 1896. It was founded by architect and archeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld.
The German School of Athens is considered a highly selective school, since children are usually taught both in Greek and German language and have to sit for both Greek and German final exams at the end of the last grade. This enables them both a Greek and German high school diploma (Abitur). Pupils have to take entry exams in order to become students of the Greek section of Gymnasium.
It is one of the oldest and most prestigious private schools in Greece, after a very large number of students graduating from the school has excelled in politics, the arts, science and business.
Education is mainly in German and Greek - following the Greek educational system, and allowing students to sit for Greek university entrance exams and at the same time prepare students for the German Abitur examinations. Its students are also taught the English language at a high level.
Upholding the tradition of an environment friendly school, the German School of Athens had Greece's largest solar roof installed before the 2004 Olympic Games. The project was backed by German Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor (BMWA), the German Energy Agency and the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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The German School of Athens is known for its DSAMUN (Deutsche Schule Athen Model United Nations) [1] conference. The conference is affiliated by THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) and this makes DSAMUN conference one of the best conferences in the World.
The DSAMUN is a three-day-long simulation of the work of the United Nations and takes place at the GSA campus. It is designed for secondary school students and is intended to provide an occasion for the participants to discuss world issues. The conference gives them the opportunity to experience the work of the United Nations and to get to know the world of diplomacy.
The delegates at the DSAMUN conference are asked to prepare drafts resolutions and policy statements on various issues (from the view of the country they represent) and learn to negotiate and debate in a formal way. Foreign students, who attend DSAMUN, have the opportunity to visit Plaka, the National Museum, the Acropolis and other places of interest in Athens. In addition, excursions to Epidaurus and Nafplion are organized.
The Dörpfeldianer Ball for graduates takes place every two years at the Hotel Athenaeum Intercontinental. It draws together people from the fields of politics, diplomacy, business, journalism and the academic world. The highlight of the Dörpfeldianer Ball is the debut of the 'débutantes' (female graduating students of the school) in dances like waltz and polka. The tradition of the débutantes signifies the step into adulthood and social life. The dress code is formal.
The German School of Athens has a Greek Theatrical Group. The Group had been led for 30 by Mr. Stelios Papapetrou who passed his experience and knowledge to Mrs. Elena Karakouli, the Group's current leader. In the year 2010 it celebrated its 30th anniversary. Also 20 former students of the GSA and members of the school theatrical group are nowadays professional actors. Examples are Alexandra Pavlidou and Thalia Matika, both graduates of the school. The theatrical group of the German School of Athens has been awarded countless times by many theatre organisations in Greece.