Charlotte-Paulsen-Gymnasium

Charlotte-Paulsen-Gymnasium is a secondary school in Wandsbek with a main building designed in the Reform architecture style by Henry Grell between 1914 and 1916, notable for its distinctive facades and spacious interior. The complex is completed by the modern Waldhaus building, where contemporary classes take place and which shapes the visual character of the school grounds.

The school was founded in 1945 by merging the oldest girls' high school in Wandsbek with the Paulsen Foundation school, which had operated since 1866, combining two long-standing educational traditions. The main building survived wartime destruction, though the Paulsen Foundation building was demolished, requiring the institution to reorganize its operations after the war.

The school honors two women whose contributions shaped its identity, reflected in its strong international partnerships and language-focused curriculum. Walking through the campus, you notice how students from different backgrounds interact and share experiences in the modern Waldhaus building.

The school's facade and exterior architecture can be viewed from public spaces, with the Reform architecture details worth observing closely. The location is well-connected by public transport and situated in a quiet residential area with good local infrastructure.

During World War II, the building served as a military hospital, yet teaching resumed in 1943 despite wartime damage to parts of the school. This experience shaped the institution's resilience and its ability to reorganize after destruction and loss.