Berlin ES (formerly Thomas A. Roberts ES) History
Opened: 1946
Closed: 1994
The Berlin American Elementary School was one of the original thirty-eight elementary and five high schools that were opened in 1946. The original location of the Berlin school was in the Gertrauden Schule in the American sector of Berlin. Although the school was officially named Berlin American Elementary School, the local community referred to the school as the Thomas A. Roberts School. Colonel Thomas Arnett Roberts, Jr., a West Point graduate of 1920, was killed in action in France. He was leading tanks in the Battle of Normandy in Lessay, Normandy, France on 4 August 1944, while commanding the artillery of the 2nd Armored Division.
The school was initially established as a comprehensive school and the Thomas A. Roberts School was moved to a new building on Huttenweg 40 in 1953.
In 1970 Berlin American Elementary School was one of the 148 elementary schools operated by the United States Dependents Schools, European Area (USDESEA). The facilities used in the seventies were opened in the early fifties with additions built in 1957 and 1960.
The instructional program of studies for the elementary grades in the seventies was organized in broad areas, including language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, intercultural education, foreign languages, art, music, physical education, health, and safety. Learning units were developed around central themes to reflect the culture of the times and the social and economic problems that affected the lives of children and their environmental experiences. The elementary school was divided into three units of organization; the kindergarten unit, the primary units (grades one through three) and the Intermediate unit (grades four through six). Because of the crowded conditions in the school cafeteria, children living within walking distance of the school were encouraged to go home for lunch. There were six lunch shifts of forty-five minutes.
By the 1987-88 school year, Berlin American Elementary School consisted of five wings totaling fifty classrooms. The curriculum included art, music, host nation, and physical education offered to all students. Resource teachers assisted students with difficulties in learning development, reading, and speech. Staff included two counselors and learning resource teachers. All students ate lunch at school. The recess times were staggered due to a small playground area and a large student enrollment. There were 1,380 students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The next year there were over 1,530 students in grades pre-school through six. Plans were initiated to do building renovation in the next three to four years.
The last year of the school there were 675 students enrolled. The school closed in June 1994.