Geilenkirchen ES (a.k.a. James Van Dierendonck ES) History
Opened: 1982
Closed: 2012
Geilenkirchen American School, also known as James Van Dierendonck 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.
When the school opened there were approximately 50 students in grades kindergarten through eight. By the 1983-84 school year, the enrollment was about 450 in grades kindergarten through eight.
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.
Jim Van Dierendonck was the first principal of the school and served in this position until his retirement in June 1988. Mr. Van Dierndonck died in 1999, and the school was renamed in his honor. (The school returned to officially using Geilenkirchen Elementary School after the 2005-06 school year). The second principal of the school was John Allen who was principal from 1988 until June 2005. Dr. Terry Emerson was the third and final principal. He was in this position from 2005 until the school closed in 2012.
The school mascot was the Falcon, and the first school newspaper, G.A.S. ETTE, was named by student Susie Miller.
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. In the 2000s the enrollment ranged from 200 to 250 students.
For the 1999-2000 school year a new playground was opened and other construction from 2004 to 2006 included a new cafeteria, a “bubble” gym, and a new multipurpose room.
Students’ activities included participation in the National Geography Bee, National Spelling Bee, Math Olympiads, Read Across America, Dr. Suess celebrations, Month of the Military Child, and Odessey of the Mind. The school celebrated American and German holidays through events like the Fall Fest, St. Martin’s Day parade, and the annual Storybook Parade. The school had German Immersion classes at various grade levels.
The school was closed at the end of the 2012 school year.
Information from DOD School information guides and school yearbooks