Now it’s official: we’ve grown up!

This September the International Lomonosov school in Berlin-Marzahn has received the recognition of its upper secondary school (Abitur) level from the Berlin Senate. Two years ago, in 2019/2020 we got the official permission of the Senate for this school level and in 2021/2022 for the first time in the fifteen years history of the Lomonosov schools in Berlin we have grade 13 of the higher, gymnasia school level in Germany.

A brief flashback: the Lomonosov school in Berlin opened in 2006 as a German-Russian primary schools for 10 first-graders, with two teachers and one tutor. Today we have three outstanding school buildings in Berlin, around 580 pupils and 100 teachers, all the three school levels: primary, lower secondary and upper secondary.

Why is this a great and important achievement for the Lomonosov school and a reason to be proud of ourselves? The school with its pupils and their parents, teachers and educators, the principal Liliya Ter-Zakharyan and the coordinator Dr. Alexander Ott has “matured” in every sense up to the 13th grade! With the Senate recognition of the upper secondary school level, our school in Marzahn is officially entitled to conduct the Abitur graduation examination and issue the Abitur school-leaving certificate.

What was required of the school in order for the Berlin Senate to officially recognize its upper secondary school level? Firstly, the existence of the graduation class. Secondly, a certain level of pupils’ performance. Thirdly, the school is to meet the high state requirements for teacher qualifications and experience. Fourthly, the approved educational concept.

Congratulations to everyone involved! Fingers crossed for the pupils of grade 13, wishing them a successful graduation school year and… the highest score in their Abitur certificates!