The Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium (ASG) has established itself as a pioneer with the launch of the international "IB Diploma" course. Six students with a language learning background have already started the two-year full program in the first class of 2023/2024. Four more young people from the 2025 Abitur class are taking part in individual IB courses such as English, history or chemistry.

The program continues to grow in the current school year 2024/2025: eleven participants are now part of this special educational pathway.

"With the IB Diploma, Wolfsburg is expanding its educational offering with an internationally recognized qualification. This not only strengthens the educational location, but also the future opportunities of our young people - especially in an international environment. We are thus setting an example for cosmopolitanism, diversity and equal opportunities," says Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann. "At the same time, the program fits in perfectly with the future concept for science, with which we are creating a strategic framework for cooperation between science stakeholders and with the city," adds Weilmann.

What is the IB Diploma?

The "International Baccalaureate" is a globally recognized school-leaving qualification that provides direct access to universities in over 100 countries - including the UK, the USA and Canada.

The English-language program is aimed at international young people whose German language skills are not (yet) sufficient for the German Abitur. At the same time, it also offers high-achieving German students the opportunity to acquire a second, internationally recognized diploma in addition to the Abitur.

The introduction of the program was made possible by close cooperation between the school, the city of Wolfsburg as the school authority and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Education, which provides 23.5 teaching hours for the program.

Wolfsburg focuses on international education

"The IB Diploma program at ASG strengthens Wolfsburg's international orientation and expands the educational opportunities for young people with a global perspective. It is a strong signal that our city is also internationally competitive in the field of education. Our aim is to think holistically about science and to develop this approach further together," says Iris Bothe, Head of Education.

IB for everyone - even at public schools

What is usually reserved for private schools is made possible by the ASG as a public school. The city of Wolfsburg commissioned the IB Diploma examination back in 2017 - the ASG has been officially certified as an "IB World School" since June 2023.

As the school's governing body, the city also covers the annual fees of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) as well as training costs for teachers.

"As a public school, we are proud to be able to offer a program that is otherwise almost exclusively reserved for private schools. Our aim is to enable even more young people - regardless of their background - to take part," says OStD Dr. Thomas Lohmann, Head of School at ASG.

In the future, the program will also be opened up to external applicants from Wolfsburg and the surrounding districts.

You can find more information about the program and participation here