History of the European School Munich

The school was founded in 1977, at the same time as the European Patent Office in Munich, and at their request. It was initially housed in the Lycée Français in the Berlepschstraße under the Directorship of Mr Will Krüger with a kindergarten and primary department. The first secondary teachers arrived in 1979. There was much to learn and the school ethos began to take on form in those early days. In 1981, the school moved into new buildings on the current Neuperlach site. The first European Baccalaureate candidates were awarded their certificates in 1984.

In 1985, Mr Krüger left to become Director of the European School Varese. He was succeeded by Yvon Heumann who led the school until 1994. These years were ones in which the school community increased in size, with more pupils, parents and teachers. The school population reached the 1000 mark as the Patent Office grew. The school approached the limits of its capacity and, by the time Yvon Heumann’s successor arrived in 1994, it became clear that new facilities and buildings would be needed. During his term of office, Tom Høyem developed the school further, new temporary buildings were erected, and two new structures were approved – the Europabau and the primary school silver star. Tom Høyem departed in 2000 to become Director of the European School Karlsruhe and was succeeded by John Peryer, who served as Director until 2010. He was succeeded in turn by Rudolph Ensing.

Almost as soon as the new buildings were ready, in 2004, the school population had risen to 1500 pupils and the temporary buildings were still required to accommodate the school community. The need for a new kindergarten and canteen/laboratory block became more urgent. Four years after the first meeting to plan the new kindergarten, its doors finally opened in September 2007, providing (practical) improvements in terms of space and facilities. In May 2010, the new Eureka building was officially inaugurated with student canteens, a teacher cafeteria, a kitchen as well as offices for the Director, Bursar and administrative staff and a conference room. On the 2nd and 3rd floor, there are secondary laboratories together with preparation rooms for physics, chemistry, biology and general natural sciences. With student numbers still increasing, the Annex 2 building is planned at Fasangarten and will be ready for occupation in 2016. Currently, some sport’s lessons are already held there. Once construction is completed, the entire primary school will be housed there.

The ESM has developed as a school which enjoys educating the young Europeans of Munich – we are not better than other schools, but different. The school has benefited from the superb leadership of all predecessors and their deputies (Jürgen Kirchner, Felix Wintringer, Mike Tappy, Arnold Zanzen, Helmuth Aigner and André Studer), gifted and dedicated European School teachers and colleagues in the Administration, the support of the parents and the institutions which are represented at the Administrative Board. All have contributed to the foundations of the school, which are stronger than any of those laid in stone.