Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath (FASW)

What Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath (FASW) does

Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath (FASW) is a private, non-profit (gemeinnützige) educational institution organized as a GmbH in Wülfrath, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, operating a continuous Maria Montessori-based educational pathway from kindergarten through Abitur. The institution comprises three core educational units: a Kita for ages 2–6 (capacity ~50 children, ~46 enrolled), a Grundschule for grades 1–4, and a Gesamtschule offering all German secondary qualifications including Abitur through grade 13, collectively serving approximately 340 students. FASW employs around 100 staff across teaching, pedagogy, social work, administration, and operations.

The school's pedagogical model departs from conventional German schooling: mixed-age learning groups replace rigid grade levels, free work periods replace fixed timetables, no grades are issued until grade 9, no mandatory homework is assigned, and progress is communicated through documentation and conversational reporting. Specialized facilities include a primary school built with timber frame and straw/clay insulation, a converted former hospital as the secondary school, a Makerspace equipped with 3D printers, laser cutter, and CNC milling machine, a full organic cafeteria kitchen (Pionierkantine 2015), the Wiesenranger outdoor program on a municipal orchard meadow, and inclusive education (Gemeinsamer Unterricht) with qualified Inklusionshelfer staff. Adjacent community-facing operations include the biweekly Repair-Café, WülfRad cargo-bike delivery cooperative, and student-run FREIZEITung newspaper.

FASW operates as a recognized Ersatzschule (private replacement school) under the German private school framework, receiving approximately 87% of operating costs from the state of NRW. The remaining ~13% of operating costs plus all investment costs (~20% of the total education budget) are covered through self-determined parental contributions based on financial means, voluntary donations, food/materials fees, and consulting income — with a no-exclusion-for-financial-reason policy. Ownership is split between the Förderverein FASW e.V. (51.2%, comprising most parents, staff, and supporters) and the founding family Robert and Kirstin Freitag (48.8%). GTM is direct-to-consumer via structured multi-step admission (open days → information evenings → registration → hospitation → meet-and-greet → lottery for limited spots → contract signing), with demand exceeding supply. Marketing is community-driven: word-of-mouth, open days, parent networks, regional press, and content on the school website and YouTube channel. The operating subsidiary Freie gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Aktive Bildung mbH is wholly owned by the parent GmbH and conducts instruction.

Name

Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath (FASW)

Legal name

Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://fasw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FASW (Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath) is a non-profit private Montessori school in NRW, Germany, operating a continuous educational pathway from Kita (ages 2-6) through Gesamtschule (Abitur) for ~386 children, with ~87% state funding and majority Förderverein ownership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Primary and Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Montessori K–12 Schools (EDAJABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Montessori Preschools (EDACABAC), Montessori Early Learning Academies (EDACADAA)

Keywords

• Montessori education
• Alternative school
• Private primary school
• Kindergarten daycare
• Inclusive education

Headquarters

HQ city

Wülfrath

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. State education funding (NRW): As a recognized private replacement school (Ersatzschule), FASW receives 87% of school operating costs from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The remaining 13% of operating costs plus all investment costs and additional educational offerings must be covered by the school community.
2. Parent tuition contributions: Parents contribute to the remaining 20% of the total education budget (13% operating costs plus investment costs) based on their financial means. The contribution is self-determined by each family, creating social balance. No child is excluded due to financial reasons.
3. Kita financing via youth welfare office: The Kita is financed according to KiBiz (Kinderbildungsgesetz NRW) through the youth welfare office. All parents pay contributions to the city of Wülfrath. A carrier contribution of approximately 72 EUR per child per month is covered by voluntary donations. Food costs are 89 EUR per month.
4. Catering and food services: Fresh meals are prepared daily in the school kitchen with regional and organic ingredients. Food costs are 5.80 EUR per child per school day for breakfast, lunch, and drinks. Monthly material fees are 10 EUR at primary school and 15 EUR at secondary school.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath (FASW) is a private non-profit educational institution operating a continuous Montessori-based learning pathway from kindergarten (ages 2-6) through primary school (grades 1-4) and comprehensive secondary school (grades 5-13, leading to Abitur). The school serves approximately 46 Kita children and 340 students with around 100 employees, supported by state funding from NRW (87% of operating costs) and parent contributions.

Product overview

Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath (FASW) is a private educational institution offering a continuous learning pathway from kindergarten (ages 2-6) through secondary school (Abitur). The institution operates three core educational products: the Kita (kindergarten), Grundschule (primary school), and Gesamtschule (combined secondary school), all based on Maria Montessori pedagogy. Supporting educational offerings include the Makerspace (technical workshop with 3D printing and CNC capabilities), the Repair-Café (community repair workshop), and WülfRad (student-run cargo bike delivery cooperative). The school also provides after-school care through its Offener Ganztag program and publishes the FREIZEITung student newspaper. Founded in 2005, FASW currently serves approximately 46 Kita children and 340 students with around 100 employees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Freie Aktive Kita Wülfrath: Daycare facility for children aged 2-6, opened in 2019, part of the FASW educational continuum.
• Freie Aktive Grundschule Wülfrath
• Freie Aktive Gesamtschule Wülfrath
• WülfRad

Products and services

• Freie Aktive Kita Wülfrath Kindergarten facility for children aged 2-6 years based on Maria Montessori pedagogy, with themed learning areas including movement room, creative room, and research room. Capacity of 50 children in 2.5 groups.
• Freie Aktive Grundschule Wülfrath Primary school for grades 1-4 following Maria Montessori pedagogy with self-directed learning, free work periods, mixed-age learning groups, and individualized weekly learning goals. Located in a sustainably-built timber frame building with straw/clay insulation.
• Freie Aktive Gesamtschule Wülfrath Combined secondary school (grades 5-13) offering all German secondary education certificates including Abitur, with project-oriented learning, student-centered teaching methods, and Makerspace access. First Abitur graduates completed exams in 2017.
• Offener Ganztag (After-School Care) After-school care program at primary school offering supervision, freshly prepared meals, and free play activities from 13:00 to 15:30. Priced at 1 EUR per day.
• Repair-Café Community repair workshop held every 3-4 weeks in the Makerspace, offering self-help repairs for household appliances, toys, electronics, and computers with volunteer repair helpers.
• Makerspace Technical workshop space equipped with 3D printers, laser cutter, CNC milling machine, and hand tools for invention, creation, and repair activities available to students.
• WülfRad (Cargo Bike Delivery Service) Student-run cargo bike delivery service operating as a cooperative, transporting food from the school kitchen to the Kita using multiple cargo bikes and trailers, as one of four profitable business divisions of the student cooperative.
• FREIZEITung (Student Newspaper) Student newspaper featuring articles about the school and beyond, along with the FREIRAUM creative space.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Genossenschaftsverband – Verband der RegionencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Patronage partner for the founding of the Freie Aktive Schülergenossenschaft (student cooperative); provided support for establishing the cooperative structure with functional positions filled, shares subscribed by students, teachers and parents, and four business divisions operating profitably
• Naturschutzzentrum Bruchhausen (Erkrath)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with FASW on the Wiesenranger (meadow ranger) program; supports fifth graders through a year-long meadow and social program on the orchard meadow
• Bundesverband Freier Alternativschulen (BFAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of national association of free alternative schools; FASW hosted the 2018 BFAS national conference with over 150 educators, students and education experts; part of networks exchanging on organizational and pedagogical levels
• Verband der Privatschulen (VdP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of private school association; part of networks exchanging on organizational and pedagogical levels
• Demeter-HofminorOthersOrganic farm supplier for fruits and vegetables used in daily meal preparation in school kitchen
• Akademie BiberkorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Montessori Secondary Level diploma course for teachers and educators; two-year continuing education program for working with adolescents aged 12-19; held at various locations to demonstrate successful school practice

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Bundesverband Freier Alternativschulen (BFAS): National association of free alternative schools in Germany of which FASW is a member. Comparable as FASW hosted BFAS's 2018 national conference and operates within this network sharing pedagogical and organizational practices with peer schools.

Direct peers

• Laborschule Bielefeld: State experimental school at Bielefeld University known for progressive, child-centered pedagogy with hands-on learning and democratic structures. Comparable as one of Germany's most established alternative school models from which the BFAS/FASW movement draws inspiration.
• Montessori-Zentrum München: Montessori school in Munich offering continuous education from kindergarten through secondary school with state recognition. Directly comparable to FASW as a vertically integrated Montessori pathway school in Germany serving similar family demographics.
• Helene-Lange-Schule Wiesbaden: Private Montessori school in Wiesbaden covering primary through secondary education with state recognition. Directly comparable as a German Ersatzschule following Montessori pedagogy with continuous K-12 pathway, similar funding structure, and progressive educational approach.
• Maria-Montessori-Gesamtschule Düsseldorf: Free Montessori comprehensive school in nearby Düsseldorf, serving primary and secondary students with Montessori pedagogy. Operates in the same NRW region as FASW with comparable regulatory framework and target families seeking alternative education.
• Winterhuder Reformschule Hamburg: Private reform school in Hamburg offering alternative pedagogy with continuous learning, mixed-age groups, and project-based learning. Comparable to FASW in operating as a recognized Ersatzschule with state funding and progressive educational philosophy.
• Freie Aktive Schule Stuttgart: Alternative free school in Stuttgart following active, self-directed learning principles similar to FASW. Same pedagogical lineage (Freie Aktive Schulen network) and comparable student-centered, mixed-age learning approach with parental involvement.

Broad incumbents

• Freie Waldorfschulen (Waldorf Association): National association of over 250 Waldorf/Steiner schools in Germany offering private alternative education from kindergarten through grade 13. Comparable to FASW as alternative-pedagogy private schools, but broader scale and uses Steiner/Waldorf rather than Montessori methodology.

Regional players

• Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg Reform Schools (e.g., Sophie-Barat-Schule): Established Hamburg-based alternative school with progressive Catholic orientation and mixed-age learning. Comparable alternative-education model serving families seeking non-traditional pedagogy, though operates in a different city/region than FASW.

Emerging players

• Akademie Biberkor: Montessori continuing education provider offering the Diploma Course for Montessori Secondary Level (ages 12-19) and facilitates FASW staff training. Comparable as a source of Montessori teacher pipeline and pedagogy training for FASW's adolescent program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@faswwulfrath3643
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freie-aktive-schulen-w%C3%BClfrath

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freie Aktive Schulen Wülfrath (FASW)