Stiftung Louisenlund
Stiftung Louisenlund is a privately run boarding school for boys and girls in Güby, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
History
[edit]The school's main building is in Louisenlund Palace, which was built by Hermann von Motz between 1772 and 1776 for Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel as a gift for his wife, Princess Louise of Denmark, the daughter of King Frederick V of Denmark.[1][2]
Louisenlund later became part of the property owned by the dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, who remodeled the castle to its present state. An English traveler, Horace Marryat, wrote in 1860, "Louisenlund is a charming residence in summer time, with its dark beech woods, in spring a carpet of lilies, herb-paris, hepaticas; and the bright blue waters of its deep fiordes, waters which could reveal sad tales".[3]
Advised by Kurt Hahn, in 1949 Wilhelm Friedrich, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein decided to build a boarding school on the grounds and established the Louisenlund Foundation. A foundation set up to administer the Stiftung Louisenlund, a member of the Round Square Conference of Schools.[4][5] The present chairwoman is Wilhelm Friedrich's granddaughter, Ingeborg, Princess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (born 1956).
Boarding School
[edit]Louisenlund Foundation is a state-recognized boarding school with a full-day secondary school (Gymnasium), a private half-day primary school, and an IB World School operated under independent sponsorship.
According to Head of School Peter Rösner, the school's aim is for its graduates to become “the elite of tomorrow.” In an interview, he quoted Kurt Hahn, who said: “If we as a society are wise, we should give the best educational opportunities to those children who are privileged by birth.” Rösner added: “Because these are the individuals who will one day inherit companies or wealth. Therefore, we must ensure they do not use their money and power for selfish purposes but understand what a social market economy means. Our mission is to educate young people so that they consciously and willingly serve society.”
Students at Louisenlund may choose to graduate with either the German Abitur or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Boarding fees range between €50,000 and €60,000 per year.
Louisenlund consists of two campuses: the Manor Campus (Schlossbereich) and the Farm Campus (Hofbereich), located about 800 meters apart. With a capacity of approximately 380 places (around 310 in the Manor Campus and 70 on the Farm Campus), Louisenlund ranks among the most renowned boarding schools in Germany. Student numbers grew from just under 300 in 2013 to 500 in 2024.
The Farm Campus hosts the primary school and the day school for grades 5 to 7, where students are taught in small groups of no more than 18 children. The Manor Campus houses students in grades 8 to 13, who live and learn on-site.
Since 2014, the school has owned its own offshore-capable motor sailing yacht. Artistic and athletic development is also strongly encouraged, exemplified by sailing lessons on the Schlei for 5th and 6th grade students. In 2005, an additional sports hall was built on the Farm Campus. Boarding students usually live in twin rooms.
In 2006, the original gymnasium from 1966 was expanded into a Sports and Cultural Center. The boarding school also features tennis courts, a golf course, a rescue center with fire brigade and THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief), and its own marina. In 2023, a new academic wing was inaugurated, where most classes for grades 8 to 13 now take place.
Louisenlund also serves as a base for the volunteer fire brigade of Güby and the THW.
In addition, Louisenlund is a member of Round Square, an international network of leading independent schools committed to holistic education and shared values.
References
[edit]- ^ Bricka, Carl Frederik. Dansk Biografisk Lexicon (in Danish). Copenhagen: Gyldendalske Boghandels Forlag (F. Hegel & Søn). Retrieved November 18, 2009.
- ^ "Hans Majestæt Kong Christian den Niendes Forældre" (PDF). Illlustreret Tidende (in Danish). 59 (16). April 21, 1918. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
- ^ Marryat, Horace (1860). Denmark: Description and travel. London: Murray. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ "History of Louisenlund". Güby, Germany: Stiftung Louisenlund. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
- ^ Westgaard, Erik (2001). "Tankefulde haver, en vandring i tre havers frimureriske symbolverden, Erik Westengaard" (in Danish). Copenhagen: Christian Ejlers: 118 pages: ill. in color. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
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External links
[edit]54°29′35″N 9°41′06″E / 54.49306°N 9.68500°E
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