As quickly as possible, St. Matthias managed to be recognized as a state technical college.
The number of students is likely to increase.
For a long time, St. Matthias was a seminar for late career professionals
Two years ago it was converted into a technical college
Now it has received state recognition
Wolfratshausen
- The way to graduation was arduous for the two grades who had previously attended the St. Matthias technical college (FOS) in Waldram.
The students had to take eight instead of four final exams - not at their school in Waldram, but at another technical college.
The grades they had collected in the two school years were completely omitted from the final certificate.
Exams only take place in Waldram
Future generations at the church institution will be spared this arduous journey: The FOS, which offers the “social affairs” branch, has been officially recognized by the state since this school year.
"In future, the exams will take place in Waldram and in the same form as in the state schools," says headmaster Ralf Wiechmann.
The technical college, which was only two years old, received recognition in the fastest possible time.
In order for an FOS to receive this title, two years in a row must be “successful” - that is, at least two-thirds of the students - obtain the technical college entrance qualification.
“Almost everyone made it with us,” says Wiechmann.
Individual support as a big plus
With the state recognition, he sees the school as an attractive address for various groups of pupils: a total of seven paths lead to the (technical) Abitur in the Gymnasium, FOS and college of the institution.
This is not the only peculiarity of the school in which seminarians were prepared for the priesthood until a few years ago.
The ecclesiastical sponsorship holds ready further advantages for the currently 182 students.
"We look after the young men and women much more individually than is offered at state schools," says Wiechmann.
This can be seen in the application process alone: the school conducts an interview with each applicant, "in which we get to know each other and decide together which path at our school is the right one".
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In small groups - at the FOS there are currently fewer than 15 students per class - the men and women are prepared for their graduation.
There is one classroom that only fits three students.
“The smallest classroom in Germany” is used for intensification courses.
"Our aim is that the students are not just a number in the mass processing, but can get to know and train their strengths and individual talents," says Wiechmann.
He sees this as a special feature of church schools.
This can also be seen in the building, which is expensive to maintain, look after and expand.
An expansion may be necessary in the future: The only technical college in the northern district now expects increasing numbers of pupils since it has been officially recognized.
Dominik Stallein
