The district of Groß-Gerau has invested around 24 million euros in the construction of the new inclusive all-day school – with space for up to 320 children
After roughly three months in its new building, the Ahornschule (Maple School) in Büttelborn-Worfelden has now celebrated its official opening. The Groß-Gerau district invested approximately 24 million euros in the new primary school, which will be able to accommodate up to 320 students. The building was constructed to energy-efficient passive house standards and is designed for inclusive, all-day operation. Representatives from politics, administration, the school, and the parent community, as well as the planners involved, came together at the opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of the multi-year construction project.
Schoolchildren organize the inauguration ceremony
Headmistress Manuela Pöhland welcomed the guests in the assembly hall of the new school building. The oldest children of the primary school provided the musical opening with a flute piece and the school song.
To the tune of the well-known hit song "Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht" (Marble, Stone and Iron Break), the students sang about the community at their school. With the line "Ahornschule, das sind wir" (Maple School, that's us), they expressed their sense of belonging.
Headmistress Pöhland also emphasized the importance of the school community: "The Ahorn School is a place where children can learn, laugh, grow and feel comfortable. A place where diversity is a matter of course."
She expressed her hope that the enthusiasm for the new building would last for a long time.
District Administrator: Investment in the future of education
District Administrator Thomas Will used the inauguration ceremony to highlight the importance of municipal investments in educational infrastructure.
Such events make visible what is actually achieved with the county's financial resources. However, the approximately 24 million euros for the Ahorn School represent only a comparatively small portion of the extensive investments that the Groß-Gerau district, as the responsible school authority, must make.
The modernization and expansion of the vocational schools in Groß-Gerau alone will cost around 110 million euros.
In addition, there is the expansion of all-day childcare. The county's school budget will increase by around eight million euros in this area alone next year.
Will explained that this development necessitates an increase in the school levy. Ultimately, this means that the people in the district will also have to bear the rising costs.
“I am aware that ultimately it is the people in our district who will be raising this money,” said the district administrator.
The new Ahorn School, however, demonstrates that these funds are being used effectively. Will described the building as a "flagship project for our commitment to education.".
From planning to moving in during summer 2026
The development of the new Ahorn School dates back several years. Planning for the future of the school site began as early as 2019.
After the decision was made to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new one, the planning was further advanced after the Corona period.
In November 2021, the district council passed the resolution in principle for the expansion to an inclusive all-day school.
In February 2023, the school community moved into a temporary container facility so that classes could continue during the construction work.
The new school building was then constructed to passive house standards. The building envelope was completed in October 2025.
In the summer of 2026, the students were finally able to move into their new classrooms. After a settling-in period of about three months, the official opening ceremony has now taken place.
New building constructed to passive house standard
The new Ahornschule is designed to meet the requirements of a modern inclusive all-day school.
With a capacity of up to 320 children, the building offers space for teaching and school care.
Particular attention was paid to energy efficiency. The new building was constructed to the passive house standard, which is designed for the lowest possible energy requirement for heating the building.
The district is thus combining the modernization of its school infrastructure with requirements for sustainable building operation.
37 companies involved in the construction
Michael Dummert from the architectural firm sdks Architekten Partner mbB looked back on the planning and construction process at the inauguration ceremony.
He thanked the 37 companies involved in the project, as well as their employees.
He also expressed his gratitude to the neighborhood, which had to endure noise and dust during the construction work.
Dummert particularly emphasized the cooperation between the planners, the district, the municipality of Büttelborn, the school management and the construction companies involved.
The maple tree that gave the town its name was preserved
A special feature of the construction project is the preservation of the old maple tree on the school grounds.
The tree, which gives the Ahornschule its name, stands directly next to the new building and was able to be preserved despite the extensive construction work.
Michael Dummert was particularly pleased about this.
Fittingly, the municipality of Büttelborn also brought a gift: Mayor Marcus Merkel presented the school with a young maple tree.
In addition, he presented further small gifts and words of praise for the completion of the new school building.
With the official inauguration, the multi-year construction project has now been ceremoniously completed. For the school community, daily life in the new building already began in the summer.
The most important information
What: Official inauguration of the new building of the Ahorn School
Where: Ahornschule, Büttelborn-Worfelden, Groß-Gerau district
School type: Inclusive all-day primary school
Capacity: Up to 320 students
Investment volume: Approximately 24 million euros
Construction method: Passive house standard
Planning began in 2019
Resolution of principle passed by the district council: November 2021
Occupancy of the container facility: February 2023
Completion of the building envelope: October 2025
Move-in to the new building: Summer 2026
Official inauguration: Autumn 2026
Participating construction companies: 37
Client and school authority: Groß-Gerau district
Special feature: Preservation of the namesake maple tree on the school grounds
(GROSS-GERAU – RED/PSGG)
Featured image: Symbolic key handover: Michael Dummert of sdks Architekten Partner mbB, District Administrator Thomas Will and Headmistress Manuela Pöhland (from left). Photo: District Administration
