School Histories

Hanau MS (combined with HS in 2006) History

Opened: 1989
Closed: 2006

Hanau Middle School was located near the New Argonner Housing Area and was opened for classes in August 1989. Construction for this six-million-dollar facility began in October 1987 and ended in May 1989. The middle school was collocated with the high school. Students were offered a comprehensive educational program based on the middle school philosophy and organized departmental lines. When the school was opened, there were 760 students in grades six through eight. The first school principal was Robert Sennett with James Lynch as the assistant principal and Mr. Goff as the Education Program Manager.

The school had a media center, computer lab, music room, home economics lab, industrial arts lab, and art room. Grades seven and eight featured an individualized math program, exploratory career program, and access to some high school courses. Specialists included a counselor, a librarian, a nurse, and learning development teachers.

The enrollment increased to 850 students for the second year of the school and about 760 students the following year. The drawdown of the military in Europe began during the 1992-93 school year, and the enrollment dropped to about 485 students. During the next twelve years the enrollment fluctuated between 330 students to 450 students. The last year as a middle school the enrollment dropped to about 250 students.

The school colors were silver and black, and the mascot was the bulls. The school newspaper was the Bull’s Eye.

Student activities were an integral part of the school’s incorporation of middle school concepts. The first year as a separate school, students participated in Math Counts and Math Olympiads and had clubs for nutrition and computers. By the second year, the music program was firmly established with three levels of band. During the 1991-92 school year, the school started its annual World War II Commemorative Volksmarch, and the first teachers-versus-students basketball games were played. The next year students were actively involved in a service project, C.A.R.E.² or Concern and Respect for Everyone/Everything. One project involved helping a Muslim family who was displaced from Bosnia and relocated to the Hanau community. Intramural activities included basketball for boys and girls, cheerleading, wrestling, cross country, and bowling. Basketball and cross-country teams were able to compete with a neighboring school in Rhein Main and Wiesbaden, as well as the Frankfurt International School. The drama program started as a club during the 1993-94 school year and developed into an annual Shakespearean based production. Outdoor Education including annual visits to Hinterbrand Lodge were a part of the school program.

Study trips to nearby cities were part of the curriculum, including trips to Fischbacker Kupferburgwerk, the mineral museum near Idar-Oberstein, and local markets. AVID, Advancement Via Individual Achievement, became part of the curriculum during the 1996-97 school year. Multicultural Education included programs on Hispanic Heritage, Native American Festivals, and Black History as well as performances by Russian dancers (1996-97), gymnasts from Estonia (2004-05), and Sankota dancers from Africa (2005-06).

Awards ceremonies were held each year including the “Amazing Bull” award which was given to students based on academic excellence and school service. This was the highest award a student could receive.

The middle school was combined with the high school for the 2006-07 school year.

School Administrators

Information from DoDDS School Information Guides and school yearbooks