Geilenkirchen ES (a.k.a. James Van Dierendonck ES) History
Opened: 1982
Closed: 2012
Geilenkirchen American School, also known as James Van Dierendonch Elementary School, was located on the NATO Air Base at Tavern about five kilometers west of Geilenkirchen. From post-WWII until 1968, the base was the home of a British Royal Air Force fighter wing and then became the base for a German Air Force Pershing Missile Wing. In April 1982, the base was assigned to NATO and had personnel from eleven nations.
Formerly in a monastery, Geilenkirchen American School was housed in six separately refurbished buildings for the 1987-88 school year. Bus transportation was provided to the school. In addition to the standard classes, the school curriculum offered art, business education, careers, health, and personal typing for the upper grades. Physical education was taught to all grades one day per week at the base gym. Grades five through eight were given German language instruction by the host nation teacher.
For the 1987-88 school year, there were 240 students in grades K–4 and 210 students in grades 5–8. There were approximately forty personnel on the staff, including support staff. By 1988-89 the enrollment had risen to about 350 students in grades K–6. By the mid-nineties, the enrollment had fallen to 285 students.
The school was closed at the end of the 2012 school year.
Information from DOD School information guides