Hanau's €33M school expansion includes a community-driven renaming process
Hanau's Hessen-Homburg school campus is undergoing a major transformation. The site will expand into a nine-form cooperative comprehensive school with an upper secondary level by 2028. Alongside the €33 million construction project, the city is launching a participatory process to rename the school—one that currently bears a name tied to a former barracks rather than local identity.
The current school name, Hessen-Homburg, stems from a barracks and lacks meaningful ties to Hanau. City officials argue that a new name should reflect the school's educational profile while giving students and staff a stronger sense of belonging. The renaming process will involve pupils directly, with a committee reviewing proposals before the district advisory council selects a shortlist. The final decision will rest with the city council.
Construction of the new building is well underway, with completion expected in the second quarter of 2028. The €33 million project includes 45 classrooms, specialised subject rooms, and a flexible cafeteria that can also serve as an assembly hall. Learning clusters, barrier-free access, and spacious common areas are also part of the design to support modern teaching methods.
The renaming initiative comes as Hanau continues to grapple with its historical legacy. After 1945, all Nazi-linked names—such as the Adolf-Hitler-Straße, later renamed Gustav-Hoch-Straße—were removed during denazification. Today, the city balances remembrance with progress, seen in projects promoting inclusion and diversity, alongside landmarks like the Theodor-Heuss-Schule and the Brüder-Grimm monument on the market square.
By 2028, the expanded school will feature modern facilities and a name chosen through community involvement. The €33 million investment and participatory renaming process aim to align the campus with Hanau's present-day values. The city council's final approval will mark the end of a process designed to give students a lasting connection to their school.
