Maria-Ward-Gymnasium

What Maria-Ward-Gymnasium does

Maria-Ward-Gymnasium Günzburg is a state-recognized Catholic gymnasium (secondary school) located at Frauenplatz 1 in the historic center of Günzburg, Bavaria. It is operated by the Schulwerk der Diöze se Augsburg, a church foundation under public law that is the largest private school provider in Bavaria, managing 46 schools serving approximately 20,000 students and 1,700 teachers. The school delivers nine-year gymnasium education (G9) leading to the Abitur, the German higher education entrance qualification, across two academic tracks: a Sprachliches Gymnasium (language-oriented, with English, Latin/French, and Spanish from year 8) and a Sozialwissenschaftliches Gymnasium (social science-oriented, with Politik und Gesellschaft). The school serves students from approximately age 10 (year 5) through age 18-19 (year 13), drawn primarily from the Günzburg and surrounding Swabian region.

The school's core differentiator is the proprietary AFRA pedagogical model developed by Schulwerk Augsburg, consisting of four pillars — Alternative learning design, Fürsorge (care), Religious foundation, and Annehmen (acceptance). The model operationalizes through Netzwerk-Unterricht (NeWe), an integrated subject combining Religion, Geography, History, and Natur und Technik under one teacher for grades 5-6; Weltbegegnung, weekly Monday morning community circles; Lernwerkstätten and EVA-Stunden (self-directed learning workshops for grades 5-7); and rhythmized Ganztakt+ full-day programming. Supporting infrastructure includes a 1:1 iPad program for Year 5 students with digital tutoring support, a DSB-mobile substitution plan app, and a parent portal. Extended services include Offene Ganztagsschule (OGTS) after-school care (2-4 afternoons), international exchanges with South Africa and Poland, structured class trip programs across all year levels, a 5,000-item school library, comprehensive career orientation services, and an extensive elective catalog including a nationally awarded model railway AG.

Revenue mechanics consist primarily of state funding as an Ersatzschule (state-recognized replacement school) plus modest tuition of €38.50/month billed for 11 months (September through July, totaling €423.50 per student per year) and modular fees for after-school care. The school is governed by Monica Bayer-Kulle as Schulleiterin (Principal), with Christian Lehner as Deputy Principal, operating under the spiritual authority of the Bishop of Augsburg and the administrative direction of Schulwerk Direktor Peter Kosak. Go-to-market is event-driven and direct-to-consumer: two annual Infonachmittage (information afternoons), Adventsbasar, school tours, and an online pre-registration system (schulantrag.de) feeding into in-person May enrollment sessions. Customer segments are families with primary-school-age children seeking values-based holistic secondary education, plus secondary segments of local businesses seeking apprenticeship pipelines.

Name

Maria-Ward-Gymnasium

Legal name

Schulwerk der Diözese Augsburg

Website

https://mwg-gz.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Maria-Ward-Gymnasium Günzburg is a state-recognized Catholic gymnasium in Bavaria operated by Schulwerk der Diöze se Augsburg, serving students aged 10-19 across two Abitur tracks with the proprietary AFRA pedagogical model, after-school care, and international exchanges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education (Catholic Gymnasium)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE) (EDAJAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Juvenile Justice Education Programs (Detention & Correctional Education) (EDAJAEAB), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Catholic secondary education
• Gymnasium abitur program
• School tuition fees
• Afra pedagogical model
• After-school care

Headquarters

HQ city

Günzburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition / School Fees: The school is a state-recognized private Catholic school (Ersatzschule) operated by the Schulwerk der Diözese Augsburg. Monthly tuition of €38.50 is charged for 11 months (September through July). This is the primary recurring revenue stream. Additional revenue comes from after-school care (OGTS) and Ganztakt+ programs, which have separate fee tables.
2. After-school Care (OGTS & Ganztakt+): Revenue from modular after-school care programs: Open all-day care (OGTS) bookable 2-4 afternoons per week, and Ganztakt+ (mandatory 2 days per week plus optional additional days). Fees are charged according to a published fee table based on the number of booked days and student grade level.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Maria-Ward-Gymnasium Günzburg is a state-recognized Catholic gymnasium that delivers nine-year secondary education (G9) leading to the Abitur through two academic branches — a language-focused (Sprachliches) and a social-science-focused (Sozialwissenschaftliches) track — under the proprietary AFRA pedagogical model. In addition to classroom instruction, it offers modular after-school care (OGTS and Ganztakt+), career orientation, structured class trips and international exchanges (Poland, South Africa), a school library, theater specialization, and a wide range of elective courses and AGs. Revenue is generated primarily through monthly tuition fees of €38.50 per student for 11 months of the school year, plus separately billed after-school care fees.

Product overview

Maria-Ward-Gymnasium Günzburg is a state-recognized Catholic gymnasium operated by Schulwerk der Diözese Augsburg, offering both Sprachliches Gymnasium (language-oriented) and Sozialwissenschaftliches Gymnasium (social science-oriented) tracks. The school implements the proprietary AFRA-Modell educational concept featuring integrated Netzwerk-Unterricht, Lernwerkstätten/EVA self-directed learning, and Weltbegegnung community circles. Extended care is provided through Offene Ganztagsschule (OGTS) and Ganztakt+ rhythmized full-day programs. The school maintains international exchange programs with Poland and South Africa, structured class trip programs from years 5-12, a library with 5,000+ media items, comprehensive career orientation services, and diverse extracurricular activities including theater, music, sports, and model railway. Students receive tablets for classroom use under the media responsibility program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sprachliches Gymnasium (SG)

Quantifiable outcome

• Students achieve Abitur (university entrance qualification) after 9 years, with same examination standards as state schools due to state recognition.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Autohaus Reisacher GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-business partnership under IHK Schwaben mentorship, signed May 18, 2021. Provides students with realistic insight into the working world through company visits, internships, and practical experience. Benefits include increased motivation and self-confidence for students, and helps the company identify and nurture potential future apprentices and employees.
• CancomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT company partnership (from Jettingen-Scheppach) aimed at improving career prospects for girls in the IT industry. Accompanied by IHK Schwaben. Activities include career preparation, information on apprenticeships and dual study programs in IT, and practical company visits. Both Maria-Ward-Schulen Günzburg participate.
• MUNK Günzburger SteigtechnikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership initiated July 23, 2024 via an 'Alltagskompetenztag' (Everyday Competence Day) project. Class 10c collaborated with MUNK to design and build a new pallet seating area for the school courtyard. MUNK donated all materials and provided employee mentors who guided students through the construction process.
• Musikschule GünzburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership formalized March 9, 2018. Music school students can receive instruction at both Maria-Ward schools, and both schools receive organizational and professional advice from the Musikschule. Signed by Second Mayor Anton Gollmitzer, Musikschulleiter Jürgen Gleixner, and then-Director Christian Hörtrich.
• TransFair / Fairtrade-SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFairtrade-School certification since April 28, 2014 (renewed 2016). School undertakes internal projects on fair trade, operates a 'Fairnascht' kiosk with fair-trade products, and participates in the Günzburg Christmas market with a 'fair booth' alongside other local schools and church organizations.
• Schule ohne Rassismus – Schule mit CourageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle awarded December 2019 when 70%+ of the school community signed a commitment. Part of a national network promoting active responsibility for school climate, anti-discrimination, and against all forms of group-focused enmity. Involves ongoing projects and self-commitment for the present and future.
• fit4future (DAK Gesundheit)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in fit4future Teens-Präventionsprogramm from December 19, 2022 through July 2026. A health and education initiative for schools, partially funded by the DAK statutory health insurance. Provides prevention programs focused on healthy lifestyle habits for adolescents.
• GORILLA Schulprogramm (SBK Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational health and education initiative powered by SBK (Siemens Betriebskrankenkasse). Uses freestyle sports professionals as credible role models to motivate students toward a healthy lifestyle. The program includes individually tailored activities and modules, fully funded for participating schools. 155 schools per school year; 55 schools in Bavaria receive additional workshops with freestyle professionals.
• Loreto School Queenswood (LSQ), Pretoria, SüdafrikaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent exchange partnership with the Loreto School Queenswood in Pretoria, South Africa, part of the international Loreto/Maria Ward school network. Exchange occurs every 3-4 years (most recently November 2024 with a school visit, and September 2025 when 32 LSQ students visited Günzburg for a choir exchange). Next exchange scheduled for school year 2027/28.
• Partnerschule Aleksandrów Kujawski, PolenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing student exchange with a partner school in Aleksandrów Kujawski, Poland, occurring every 2-3 years. Exchange groups experience life with Polish host families and explore the country. The Polish group also visits Günzburg with excursions to Munich, Ulm, and Legoland. Exchange includes joint projects such as German-Polish seating furniture or cooking evenings.
• Schulwerk der Diözese Augsburg (Parent Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school is operated by the Schulwerk der Diözese Augsburg, a Catholic foundation of public law and the largest private school provider in Bavaria (46 schools, ~1,700 teachers, ~20,000 students). The parent organization provides IT infrastructure (M-Net/Bechtle data center), centralized hiring (stellen.schulwerk-augsburg.de), pedagogical framework (AFRA model), and administrative services. Founded in 1975, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Loreto School Queenswood, Pretoria: International Maria Ward sister school and active exchange partner in South Africa. Shares the Maria Ward educational heritage and corresponding pedagogical values, making it directly comparable as a sister Catholic school in the Loreto/Maria Ward global network.
• Gymnasium Sankt Stephan Augsburg: Schulwerk der Diözese Augsburg gymnasium with overlapping Catholic identity and similar state-recognized status. Comparable as a fellow Catholic secondary school within the same diocesan network, sharing infrastructure and administrative services.
• St. Anna-Gymnasium Augsburg: Sister Schulwerk der Diözese Augsburg Catholic gymnasium in Augsburg, offering parallel academic tracks and shared diocesan infrastructure. Directly comparable as a Catholic Ersatzschule within the same parent organization.
• Maristenkolleg Mindelheim: Catholic gymnasium in Bavaria operated by a religious order, offering similar values-based secondary education with tuition and state-recognition. Comparable as a fellow Catholic private school in the Swabian region competing for similar families.
• Maria-Ward-Gymnasium Friedberg: Fellow Maria Ward school in Germany offering the same Catholic educational tradition and values-based Gymnasium education. Directly comparable as part of the broader Maria Ward school network operating in the German school landscape.

Broad incumbents

• Birklehof: Elite private boarding school in the Black Forest offering Abitur-track education. Comparable as a private secondary school with strong extracurricular emphasis, though differentiated by its high tuition and elite positioning.
• Kolleg St. Blasien: Catholic Jesuit boarding school in the Black Forest offering gymnasium-level education. Comparable as a Catholic private school with state-recognized Abitur, though differentiated by its boarding model and Jesuit heritage.
• Internat Solling: Catholic private school with boarding offering gymnasium education. Comparable as a Catholic private school serving students seeking values-based education, with similar state-recognized academic outcomes and extracurricular emphasis.
• Schloss Salem: One of Germany's most established elite private schools with extensive boarding infrastructure. Comparable as a premier Catholic-founded private school, though at a much higher tuition tier and broader geographic catchment than MWG.

Emerging players

• Freie Waldorfschule Augsburg: Local Waldorf school offering alternative pedagogy (Steiner-based) with similar small-school community feel. Comparable as an alternative private school in the region pursuing differentiated educational approaches, though with secular rather than Catholic orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjkbFj_TeFNN1_7K3ZZNs4A
• Facebookfacebook.com/mwggz
• Instagraminstagram.com/mariawardgymnasium
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maria-ward-gymnasium

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Maria-Ward-Gymnasium