Ostendorf Grammar School

The educational reformer Julius Ostendorf shapes Ostendorf Grammar School in Lippstadt

A visionary with foresight founds a grammar school in Lippstadt
Julius Ostendorf, born in Soest in 1823, was more than just a teacher. As one of the youngest members of the Frankfurt Paulskirche, he showed his political commitment early on at the age of 25. In Lippstadt, after the dissolution of parliament, he founded a grammar school that thought far beyond its time and set new standards in education.

The Ostendorf Grammar School: elements of his pedagogy are still relevant today
The Ostendorf Grammar School in Lippstadt was a center of progress. From 1865, it was one of the first schools in Westfalen to have a gymnasium and a swimming pool. Ostendorf brought renowned teachers such as Hermann Müller, a companion of Darwin, to the school and made it possible for students in the upper school to take their Abitur on site in the Altstadt.

Legacy and transformation of a Lippstadt school
Although the original school building no longer stands today, the legacy of Julius Ostendorf lives on. The municipal theater, which was built in its place in 1969, is a reminder of the importance of education and progress. The Ostendorf monument from 1879 is a visible sign of respect for the man who gave Lippstadt a grammar school that shone far beyond the city's borders.

Discover the exciting history of the Ostendorf Grammar School and be equally inspired by the vision of this extraordinary man. Visit Lippstadt and discover the traces that Julius Ostendorf left behind.