Wilhelm Dörpfeld Gymnasium

What Wilhelm Dörpfeld Gymnasium does

Wilhelm Dörpfeld Gymnasium (WDG) is a public secondary school (Gymnasium) in Wuppertal, Germany, operated under the jurisdiction of the Stadt Wuppertal and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1579 as the Barmer Lateinschule — making it one of the oldest schools in the Bergische Region with 445+ years of continuous educational tradition — WDG serves approximately 800 students in grades 5 through Q2 (ages 10-19) with roughly 75 teaching staff. Students are admitted through the standard NRW state enrollment process, and tuition is free; families pay only ancillary costs (Schulnebenkosten) collected twice yearly. The school operates in a modern cluster-based building at Johannisberg 20, opened in winter 2019 after winning the Montag Stiftungen national 'Schulen planen und bauen' competition in 2013.

The school's core educational platform consists of a STEM-excellence MINTec program, a Vivarium housing over 1,000 animals (including endangered species bred through the Citizen Conservation network), a Maker Space with 3D printing and laser cutting equipment, and a genetics student laboratory — the first in Wuppertal — equipped for PCR analysis and funded by Rütgers-Stiftung. Project-based learning formats FREIDAY (grades 7-8) and TEMPTEMUS (grade 9) complement the Junior-Ingenieur-Akademie engineering track and the classical humanities profile (Latin from grade 5, Ancient Greek available). Supplementary programs include the HuLA language support curriculum, Soziales Lernen social learning, Internationale Klassen for newly arrived migrant students, the Wilis kluge Köpfe talent program, and ERASMUS+ international exchanges with Australia, China, and Poland.

Revenue is sourced primarily from NRW state education funding allocated per pupil, supplemented by ancillary parental fees and by the Vereinigung der Freunde parent association, which runs the school cafeteria (mensa) and provides supplementary programmatic support. The school holds multiple certifications and awards including MINTec-Schule (since 2017, recertified 2022), Talentschule NRW (since 2019), Berufswahlsiegel NRW (since 2014), and Bundessieger Montag Stiftungen (2013). Strategic partnerships span Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Junior-Universität Wuppertal, Bayer Foundation, Aquazoo Düsseldorf, Frogs & Friends e.V., and Deutsche Telekom Stiftung. As a public institution, WDG has no venture capital, private equity, or corporate parent relationships; ownership and control reside with the municipal and state government.

Name

Wilhelm Dörpfeld Gymnasium

Legal name

Wilhelm-Dörpfeld-Gymnasium

Website

https://wdg.de

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wilhelm Dörpfeld Gymnasium is a public Gymnasium in Wuppertal, Germany, serving ~800 students in grades 5–Q2 with 75 teachers. It delivers state-funded STEM (MINTec), Vivarium conservation, Maker Space, and project-based learning, operating in a modern cluster building opened in 2019.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education (Gymnasium)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical Education K–12 Schools (EDAJABAF)

Keywords

• Secondary education
• Gymnasium schooling
• STEM curriculum
• Project-based learning
• Abitur preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Wuppertal

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: Government-funded public school (Gymnasium) in Germany's state education system. Funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for regular educational operations.
2. School Ancillary Costs (Schulnebenkosten): Parents pay ancillary costs including water fees, library contributions, student council fees, license/copy fees, locker rental, and year-group specific project contributions. Collected twice yearly.
3. Vereinigung der Freunde (Parent Association): Förderverein (friends association) runs the school cafeteria/mensa and provides additional funding support for school programs and equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wilhelm-Dörpfeld-Gymnasium is a public German Gymnasium offering comprehensive secondary education from grade 5 through Q2 (Abitur) to approximately 800 students aged 10–19. The school delivers a full academic curriculum across sciences, languages, humanities, and arts, augmented by specialized STEM programs (MINTec, Junior-Ingenieur-Akademie, Maker Space, genetics lab), a unique Vivarium for biology education, and project-based learning formats such as FREIDAY and TEMPTEMUS. Education is government-funded with ancillary fees paid by parents for materials, library, and project contributions.

Product overview

Wilhelm Dörpfeld Gymnasium is a German secondary school (Gymnasium) offering comprehensive educational programs across multiple tracks. The institution operates a unified educational platform consisting of core academic programs, specialized profile tracks (Kreativ, Antike, Naturwissenschaft), and distinctive experiential learning formats. Key offerings include MINTec (STEM excellence network) with its genetics laboratory, Maker Space fabrication facilities, and Junior-Ingenieur-Akademie; the Vivarium animal husbandry and conservation program; FREIDAY project-based learning for grades 7-8; and TEMPTEMUS challenge projects for grade 9. The school also provides language support (HuLA, SoL), international programs (ERASMUS+), and specialized support through talent programs and international welcome classes. Since 2019, the school operates in one of Germany's most modern educational buildings, serving approximately 800 students with 75 teachers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MINTec: MINT Excellence School Network - special focus on Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, and Technology
• Vivarium
• FREIDAY
• Junior-Ingenieur-Akademie (JIA)
• Talentschule NRW

Products and services

• MINTec Programm (STEM Excellence Program) STEM education excellence network program offering specialized courses, competitions, and certifications in Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, and Technology. Includes the Junior-Ingenieur-Akademie, project courses in genetics and physics, and the MINT-EC certificate awarded alongside the Abitur; available to WDG students.
• Vivarium (Schulvivarium) On-campus animal husbandry facility housing over 1,000 reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish, and small mammals. Includes Citizen Conservation breeding programs for endangered species and serves as a living learning laboratory for biology education; open to WDG students and used in regional outreach.
• Maker Space Fabrication workshop equipped with 3D printers, plotters, laser cutters, and other technical devices, supporting project-based learning and creative prototyping; available to WDG students and project groups.
• Genetik-Labor (Student Genetics Laboratory) Student genetics laboratory equipped with PCR analysis tools, enabling molecular biology investigations including DNA isolation, species identification of food products, and population genetics studies; used by WDG students.
• FREIDAY (Project-Based Learning Format) Project-based learning format for grades 7–8 where students spend four hours weekly working on self-directed projects in social, scientific, or technical areas, promoting education for sustainable development.
• TEMPTEMUS Challenge Projects Challenge project for grade 9 students providing experiential learning opportunities outside the regular curriculum, fostering personal development and practical skills.
• Junior-Ingenieur-Akademie (JIA) Four-semester engineering academy in partnership with Deutsche Telekom Stiftung, enabling WDG students to develop technical projects using measurement and control systems, 3D printing, and AI applications.
• HuLA (Humanitas Linguarum) Language Support Specialized language support program for German language development in small groups for grades 5–6, addressing linguistic needs of students at WDG.
• Soziales Lernen (SoL) Social learning curriculum integrated into grades 5–6, fostering interpersonal skills and community responsibility as part of the school's values education at WDG.
• Internationale Klassen (International Welcome Classes) Dedicated welcome classes for students with migration backgrounds, providing intensive language support and integration assistance at WDG.
• ERASMUS+ Programme European Union-funded international exchange and collaboration programme enabling WDG student and teacher mobility across partner schools.
• Profilfächer (Elective Profile Tracks) Elective profile courses for grades 5–8 including Creative (Songs and Moves, Theater, Art), Ancient Studies, and Natural Sciences tracks, taught as weekly double periods at WDG.
• Wilis kluge Köpfe (Gifted Enrichment Program) Special talent identification and individual enrichment program for grades 6–7, providing advanced academic challenges for gifted students at WDG.
• Projektkurse Q1/Q2 (Upper Secondary Project Courses) Advanced project courses in upper secondary including Art and Philosophy, Local History, BNE/FREIDAY 2.0, Architecture, MINT-Explorers (Genetics Lab, Particle Physics), Gamification, and Critical Information Evaluation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Regular successful participation in state and national competition rounds
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Junior-Universität WuppertalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025New cooperation agreement to intensify connection between school and out-of-school learning locations. Joint workshops planned both at the Junior-Universität and at WDG. Classes can visit together, and individual enrollment in courses is available.
• Junior-Ingenieur-Akademie (JIA) / Deutsche Telekom StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024WDG participates in JIA program with support from Deutsche Telekom Stiftung. Students develop technical and scientific projects over four semesters. Partner organizations include zdi-Netzwerk, Grüner Zoo Wuppertal, Haverbeck lean+FMEA, Knipex, and Indikator GmbH.
• Aquazoo DüsseldorfcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024New cooperation starting 2025/26 focusing on Citizen Conservation animal Titicaca giant frog (Telmatobius culeus). Part of school's expanded species conservation education program.
• Citizen Conservation NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020WDG is part of the Citizen Conservation network since 2020/21. School maintains endangered amphibian species (Knochenkopfkröten, Chinesische Rotbauchunken, Mallorca-Geburtshelferkröte, Vietnamesischer Krokodilmolche, Pátzcuaro-Querzahnmolch). Successfully breeding endangered species. Partnership with Untere Naturschutzbehörde Remscheid and Bergische Universität Wuppertal for Feuersalamander conservation.
• Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf (Zukunftsschulen-Programm)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWDG participates in the regional 'Zukunftsschulen' (Future Schools) program. Network includes Gymnasium an der Gartenstraße (reference school), Johannes-Kepler-Schule, Städt. Realschule Viersen-Süchteln. Focus on embedding Makerspace concepts in teaching.
• Bergisches Schul-TechnikumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation offering robotics courses using Lego-Mindstorm for grade 7 students. Students can deepen knowledge in advanced courses at the university campus.
• Bergische Universität WuppertalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation in career orientation with Talentscouts (talent scouts) from the university. Partnership for study orientation programs and 'Studium vor dem Abitur' (study before graduation) program.
• Station Natur und UmweltminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for environmental education. JIA students visited for insect identification training using dichotomous keys. Part of nature conservation education programs.
• KURS21 e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning partnership supporting sustainable development education and project-based learning initiatives.
• Schule im Aufbruch e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWDG is a member of 'Schule im Aufbruch' network. Participation in innovative educational approaches and formats like FREIDAY and TEMPTEMUS. Support for Whole School Approach development.
• Sparkasse WuppertalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning partnership supporting educational programs and career orientation.
• X-lab GöttingenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaboratory partnership providing access to specialized scientific equipment and experiments for student projects.
• Waldpädagogisches ZentrumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for outdoor education and environmental learning. Supports 'Walderlebnisspiele' (forest experience games) for grade 5 students.
• Wuppertal-InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sustainability education and environmental research projects.
• Neuer Kunstverein WuppertalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt education partnership supporting creative and cultural programs.
• Frogs & Friends e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding organization of Citizen Conservation network. Provides expertise and network for WDG's endangered species conservation programs.
• Verband der Zoologischen Gärten e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization of Citizen Conservation. Supports WDG's participation in coordinated breeding programs for endangered species.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization of Citizen Conservation. Provides herpetology expertise for WDG's vivarium species management and conservation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Schule Schloss Salem: Highly regarded elite private boarding school in Germany with strong STEM and project-based learning; comparable as a broader incumbent operating in the same secondary education space with overlapping educational philosophy but a private/fee-paying model.
• Internatsschule Louisenlund: Well-known German elite private boarding school with MINTec membership and Talentschule-like enrichment programs; broader incumbent that overlaps with WDG on STEM focus and gifted-student development, but operates in a private fee-paying model.

Direct peers

• Gymnasium an der Gartenstraße: NRW Gymnasium explicitly named in WDG's own partnerships as a reference school within the regional 'Zukunftsschulen' Makerspace network; directly comparable peer sharing program design and regional context.
• Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium Frankfurt (Oder): Public Gymnasium named after the famous mathematician with documented strength in mathematics and science competitions; comparable to WDG as a STEM-excellence public Gymnasium in Germany.
• Schickhardt-Gymnasium Stuttgart: MINTec-certified Gymnasium in Stuttgart with strong STEM and bilingual programs; comparable to WDG as a public academic-track school with MINTec membership and competition participation.
• Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium Berlin: STEM-focused Gymnasium in Berlin named after a famous engineer; comparable to WDG in its emphasis on science and technology education within a public Gymnasium framework.
• Heinrich-Hertz-Gymnasium Berlin: MINTec-certified Gymnasium in Berlin with strong STEM and natural sciences programs; comparable to WDG as another German public Gymnasium recognized for excellence in mathematics, informatics, natural sciences and technology.
• Helmholtz-Gymnasium Heidelberg: Public German Gymnasium in Heidelberg with MINTec certification and a strong STEM profile; directly comparable to WDG as a public MINTec-Schule serving a similar academic-track student body with differentiated science programs.

Others

• Bergische Universität Wuppertal: Local university and explicit WDG cooperation partner for career orientation, Talentscouts program, and 'Studium vor dem Abitur'; comparable as the regional higher-education counterpart feeding WDG's university-preparatory mission and providing enrichment opportunities.
• Junior-Universität Wuppertal: Out-of-school learning institution explicitly partnering with WDG on joint workshops and course enrollment; an enabling/ecosystem partner that extends WDG's STEM learning offering rather than competing directly.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/wdg_wuppertal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wilhelm-d%C3%B6rpfeld-gymnasium

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wilhelm Dörpfeld Gymnasium