Staatliche Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik

What Staatliche Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik does

Staatliche Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik Berlin, also known as the Ruth-Cohn-Schule, is a publicly funded Oberstufenzentrum (upper-level vocational school center) operated by the Land Berlin under the Berlin School Act (Schulgesetz). Founded in 2011, the institution delivers state-recognized vocational qualifications in social pedagogy, training students for careers as Erzieher/in (state-certified educators) for kindergartens, youth welfare services, and social work settings. It serves approximately 1,300–1,600 students across six educational programs, including the Fachschulbildungsgang (two-year and three-year accelerated tracks), Berufsfachschule, Berufliches Gymnasium, and Berufsoberschule pathways.

The school's pedagogical identity is anchored in the Theme-Centered Interaction (TCI) methodology of Ruth C. Cohn, reinforced through a formal partnership with the Ruth Cohn Institute for TCI-international. Practical training is delivered via a network of cooperation agreements with INA.KINDER.GARTEN and other Berlin kindergarten operators, ensuring sufficient Praxisplätze for student placements. International and historical dimensions are integrated through partnerships including Yad Vashem and Erasmus program exchanges. The institution was recognized with the 2nd German School Prize (Deutscher Schulpreis) in 2012.

The business model is fully non-commercial: the school is financed by the State of Berlin through the Berlin Senate Administration for Education, Youth and Family. There is no tuition fee, and revenue mechanics are entirely public-budget appropriations. The institution employs state-civil-servant teaching staff alongside administrative personnel, with day-to-day digital operations supported by the IServ school communication platform. As a public good entity, its "customers" are students pursuing vocational qualifications, and its principal financial exposure is concentration on a single public funder (Land Berlin).

Name

Staatliche Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik

Legal name

Ruth-Cohn-Schule, Oberstufenzentrum Sozialwesen

Website

https://erzieherinnenausbildung-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Staatliche Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik Berlin is a state-run vocational school (Ruth-Cohn-Schule) that trains social educators (Erzieher/in) for Berlin's youth welfare and kindergarten sector, serving approximately 1,300–1,600 students via publicly funded, tuition-free programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPACANAK

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/Training, Learning & Development Services

SECONDARYEDAAABAK

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Adult Secondary Education (ASE) / High School Equivalency (GED/HiSET)

SECONDARYEDAKANAF

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Transition Services (Post-Secondary, Employment & Independent Living)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Social pedagogy training
• Educator certification programs
• Early childhood education training
• Vocational school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a state-run vocational school (Fachschule) under the Berlin Senate, the institution is funded through public education budgets. Students do not pay tuition fees. Additional support comes from the Förderverein (supporting association) and the Schulstiftung Christian Rother for financial assistance to students.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Staatliche Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik (Ruth-Cohn-Schule Berlin) is a publicly funded Oberstufenzentrum (upper-level vocational school) in Berlin that provides tuition-free, state-certified vocational training programs for prospective educators (Erzieher:innen) and social pedagogy assistants. It offers full-time and part-time educator training (3 years each), a 2-year social pedagogy assistant program, a 2-year social assistant program, a 2-year Fachoberschule (Fachhochschulreife) program, and a 1-year integrated vocational preparation (IBA) program, all combining classroom instruction with practical internships in partner kindergartens and social welfare facilities.

Product overview

The Ruth-Cohn-Schule is an Oberstufenzentrum (upper secondary vocational school) for social pedagogy that operates as a unified educational institution offering six distinct programs. The core offerings are two parallel pathways at the Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik: the Erzieher:in Vollzeitstudium (3-year full-time) and Erzieher:in Teilzeitstudium (3-year part-time) for state-certified educator qualifications. The Berufsfachschule provides two programs: Sozialpädagogische Assistenz (2-year social pedagogical assistant, leading to a shortened Erzieher:in pathway) and Sozialassistenz (2-year social assistant). The Fachoberschule offers the Allgemeine Fachhochschulreife (2-year qualification for applied sciences university access), and the IBA program provides vocational preparation leading to BBR/eBBR/MSA. All programs emphasize practical training in childcare and social facilities, with options for international placements through Erasmus exchanges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Erzieher:in Vollzeitstudium (Educator Full-Time Study) Three-year full-time study program at the Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik leading to state-certified educator (Erzieher:in) qualification, designed for individuals pursuing careers in kindergartens, schools, youth welfare, and integration assistance.
• Erzieher:in Teilzeitstudium (Educator Part-Time Study) Three-year part-time (dual) study program for working professionals leading to state-certified educator qualification, with class attendance on two days per week, allowing students to combine vocational training with employment.
• Sozialpädagogische Assistenz (Social Pedagogical Assistance) Two-year program at Berufsfachschule leading to state-certified social pedagogical assistant qualification. Completers with 2.7+ GPA may proceed to a shortened two-year Erzieher:in training program.
• Allgemeine Fachhochschulreife (General Fachhochschulreife) Two-year upper secondary school program (Fachoberschule) leading to the General Fachhochschulreife qualification, enabling access to all German universities of applied sciences and supporting career entry into the social welfare sector.
• Sozialassistenz (Social Assistance) Two-year Berufsfachschule program leading to state-certified social assistant qualification, with the option to obtain the Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA).
• Integrierte Berufsausbildungsvorbereitung (IBA) One-year program providing vocational preparation, enabling students to obtain Berufsbildungsreife (BBR), erweiterte Berufsbildungsreife (eBBR), or Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA) for vocational orientation and job market entry.

Quantifiable outcome

• DQR Level 6 certification equivalent
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Yad VashemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2016Partnership signed April 14, 2016 between Yad Vashem (Israel's Holocaust memorial and research institution) and the Ruth-Cohn-School. The school has conducted Holocaust memorial activities since 1997, and the partnership formalizes cooperation on political education and democratic values. Faculty members participate in seminars on Yad Vashem's pedagogical concepts and materials.
• Ruth Cohn Institute for TCI-internationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school is named after Ruth C. Cohn and maintains ongoing cooperation with the Ruth Cohn Institute. TZI (Theme-Centered Interaction) methodology is integrated into teaching. The school conducts continuing education (Fortbildungen) for teachers in TZI methods.
• DEVI - Verein für Demokratie und VielfaltminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation in political education and class council (Klassenrat) activities. DEVI supports schools in fighting right-wing extremism, group-focused misanthropy, discrimination, and religiously motivated radicalism.
• Meslek Evi - BerufsförderungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing German language support for students with non-German native language. Meslek Evi offers remedial instruction and learning counseling for apprentices of non-German heritage.
• Kulturagenten für kreative Schulen BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school participates in Berlin's Kulturagenten network, a state program aiming to spark children's curiosity for art and provide knowledge about art and culture.
• INA.KINDER.GARTEN gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit kindergarten provider with high pedagogical quality. Long-term cooperation allowing Fachschule students to complete practical training parts of their education in INA KINDERGARTEN facilities in Berlin.
• Kinder im Kiez GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent provider of 20 kindergartens in Berlin with over 500 pedagogical staff. Partnership provides practical training placements for students.
• Orte für Kinder GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit provider of 23 kindergartens serving 2,300 children. Partnership provides practical training placements and cooperation in pedagogical practice.
• GoEurope / ErasmusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean mobility program providing financial support for international internships. Students have completed placements in Malta, Turkey, France, Poland, Iceland, and Spain (Barcelona) through this program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Max-Bill-Schule (OSZ Planen, Bauen, Gestalten): Berlin Oberstufenzentrum offering vocational upper-secondary qualifications across multiple departments. Comparable as a Berlin state vocational institution sharing the same funding mechanism and regulatory framework.
• Louise-Schroeder-Schule (OSZ Bürowirtschaft und Verwaltung): Another Berlin Oberstufenzentrum under Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, operating multiple vocational tracks. It is comparable as a sibling state vocational institution competing for the same applicant pool in Berlin.
• Fritz-Karsen-Schule (OSZ Bautechnik): Berlin Oberstufenzentrum with integrated Berufsfachschule and Fachoberschule pathways. Comparable as a public vocational upper-secondary institution offering state-recognized credentials to similar applicant demographics in Berlin.
• OSZ Gesundheit und Soziales Berlin: Berlin Oberstufenzentrum offering vocational training in health and social occupations. Adjacent peer sharing state vocational education infrastructure, governance, and applicant demographics, though focused on different occupations.

Broad incumbents

• Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie (Berlin): Governing authority and primary funder of all Berlin Oberstufenzentren including Ruth-Cohn-Schule. Functions as the umbrella institution whose policy and budget decisions directly shape the school's operating environment.

Direct peers

• Katholische Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik Berlin: Catholic Fachschule providing state-recognized Erzieher:innen qualification in Berlin. Direct curricular peer competing for prospective educator trainees in the same geographic market.
• Oberstufenzentrum Sozialwesen Berlin (OSZ Sozialwesen): Berlin state vocational center for social welfare professions offering educator and social pedagogy assistant training. Operates under the same Berlin Senate oversight with near-identical program structure to Ruth-Cohn-Schule.
• Evangelische Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik Berlin: Confessional Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik in Berlin training Erzieher:innen. A direct curricular peer in the same social-pedagogy educator qualification niche, though denominational rather than state-run.
• Anna-Freud-Schule (OSZ Sozialwesen): Berlin Oberstufenzentrum focused on social pedagogy/social work vocational training — the most direct functional peer, training Erzieher:innen and social pedagogy assistants through comparable Fachschule, Berufsfachschule, and Fachoberschule programs.

Others

• Kulturagenten für kreative Schulen Berlin: Berlin state program Ruth-Cohn-Schule participates in. Not a competitor but an ecosystem partner — included because it is comparable in being a publicly funded, school-focused Berlin initiative and a relevant network connection.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=zonW-tXgN4E
• Instagraminstagram.com/ruthcohnschuleberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/staatliche-fachschule-f%C3%BCr-sozialp%C3%A4dagogik

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Staatliche Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik