School Histories

Aukamm ES History

Opened: 1961
OPEN

Aukamm American Elementary School is part of the Wiesbaden Military Community. Wiesbaden is the capital of the state of Hessen, located thirty-eight kilometers northwest of Frankfurt, Germany. The current American air base was originally an air base for the German Luftwaffe during World War II.

Aukamm services students in grades K–5 who primarily live in the Aukamm military housing area. A small number of students live in the local community, as well as in other housing areas and attend Aukamm on waivers. To welcome new students and families prior to the first day, the school provides new student orientation tours. The average tour of duty for families in Wiesbaden is three years. The vast majority of students have at least one parent who serves in the military, with the remainder of students having at least one parent who works in a related civilian position.

The school mascot is the Aukamm Bear, and the school colors are blue and gold. The school song and cheers are:

School Song

What makes Aukamm special?

What makes Aukamm grand?

Because we go to school here in this German Land.

We’re proud to be at Aukamm

So, give ourselves a hand!!!

School Cheers

For the 1987-88 school year Aukamm Elementary had 450 students in grades K–5. The high school and middle school students from the housing area attended school at Wiesbaden Middle and High Schools. The school had thirteen elementary teachers, a special education teacher, a host nation teacher, a counselor, a speech therapist, a reading improvement specialist, a nurse, a physical education teacher, a librarian, a principal, and clerical/support personnel. The school also received services from the Wiesbaden Guidance Center. Aukamm was located in a modern building with eighteen classrooms, a media center, and a small auditorium.

A unique tradition at the school that was begun by a host nation teacher is making apple juice. In the fall students visit a local apple orchard, pick the apples, and then learn how to press the apples to make apple juice.

By the 1993-94 school year, the school enrollment had decreased to approximately 300 due to the drawdown of the military in Europe. Ms. Christine Holston was the principal from 1994–1998.

The principal for the 1998–2000 school years was Mr. L.B. Connell, and there were approximately thirty faculty and staff for the 250 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The school had the following specialists: media, computer, host nation, art, physical education, music, and a school nurse. Special events included storytellers, a choir from Russia, student concerts, and holiday celebrations. Field trips to Wiesbaden and Mainz were an integral part of the curriculum. Other yearly events included Math Olympiads, Spelling Bee, Science Fair, and Field Day.

Dr. Judy Sessions was the principal for the 2002–2004 school years, and there were 315 students in the school with thirty-six faculty and staff. D.A.R.E. was part of the curriculum. The elementary school began annual events for Read Across America and Dr. Suess Day. The 2004 yearbook included the following poem about the school:

What makes Aukamm special? What makes Aukamm grand?

Because we go to school here, in this German land.

We're proud to be at Aukamm, so give ourselves a hand.

A is for awesome

U is for us

K is for kids, who say no to drugs,

A is for achievement

M is for memories

M is for more—for us to explore!

Aukamm is the place to be, with friendships that are proud.

Aukamm is the school for me, we are the Aukamm crowd!

We're proud to be at Aukamm, so shout it once out loud!

A-U-K-A-M-M, Aukamm!

Here staff and students remember to...

Be kind and courteous citizens

Expect the best

Ask, think, solve, and explain

Research and use information

Seek knowledge through technology

The principal from 2005 to 2009 was Mark Benham. During this time the enrollment ranged from a high of 215 students to a low of 155 students. In the 2007-08 school year, Aukamm participated for the first time in the Odyssey of the Mind events.

For the 2009–2012 school years, Sue Gurley was the principal, and the enrollment was just under 200 students. New clubs at the school included a digital photography club and a club for students who had deployed parents.

Ms. Debbie Parks became the principal from 2012 to 2014.

In 2014, Aukamm was selected as a National Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education. It was the only Department of Defense School in Europe to receive the honor that year (the other DoD school to receive the honor that year was Matthew C. Perry Elementary School in Japan). The 2015 yearbook also mentions that the school was listed as the #1 school of the “50 Best American Schools” by TheBestSchools.org, though it’s unlikely that the honor was awarded by the Department of Education as the yearbook states. According to the 2015 yearbook:

In 2014, Aukamm received two prestigious awards. The U.S. Department of Education recognized the school for its academic excellence by selecting it as a National Blue Ribbon School. Aukamm was the only Department of Defense School in Europe to receive the esteemed honor that year. The Department of Education stated in a release that “National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of consistent excellence and a resource for other schools and districts.” Aukamm Elementary also earned the distinction as the best elementary school in America! This prominent award was given by the Department of Education as Aukamm took the number one spot of the 50 Best American Public Schools. An independent organization, THeBestSchools.org noted the exemplary work of Aukamm’s teachers, staff and parents that elevated Aukamm the number one title! Way to go, Aukamm!

Barbara Mueller and Russ Claus served as principals for the 2014–2016 school years. At this time, the school instituted the FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary School) program.

In 2016, Ms. Alice Bernard became principal and remained in the position for two years. Then, Angelia Hadley was principal through the 2024-25 school year.

The 102^nd Signal Brigade volunteered at the school as mentors and computer club support. They also volunteered at many activities held at or by the school. New student activities at the school included clubs for Lego Robotics, Mousetrap Race Cars, Google Expeditions, and a Rocket Science club. Students also created a yearly Living History Museum.

As of the 2024-25 school year, Aukamm Elementary School has just over 180 students in grades kindergarten through five. There are eleven classes consisting of two classes in each grade level from kindergarten through fifth grade. Additional enrichment classes include art, Host Nation, music, physical education, media center instruction, and technology. The instructional specialists are in areas of reading, math, gifted education, special education, speech/language, and English as a Second Language. Aukamm has a full-time school nurse, counselor, and an itinerant school psychologist. Students can participate in student council, sewing and crafting, art club, gardening club, drama club, cooking club, and music club.

Information from DoDDS School Information guides, school website, school yearbooks,
and Karl Weisel (IMCOM). (2014, Oct 7). Aukamm Elementary named Blue Ribbon School. U.S. Army. https://www.army.mil/article/135468/aukamm_elementary_named_blue_ribbon_school