Anchorage has successful language immersion programs in Spanish, Japanese, and Russian. However, there is no German offered at the elementary school level. Northern Lights ABC, a K-8 lottery school, offers German in seventh and eighth grades, but most students cannot join the program in middle school.
In March 2006 a group of enthusiastic parents and German teachers joined forces and started the process of chartering a tuition-free German immersion school. Under the competent leadership of Jo Sanders, an Anchorage German teacher with 45 years of teaching experience, and with the committed help and dedicated work of a team of volunteers, the Anchorage School District approved the application for the Rilke Schule— German School of Arts and Sciences, December 4, 2006. The school opened August 2007.
It spans Kindergarten through 8th grade, thus being the first immersion program to encompass elementary and middle school. Furthermore, all students attending the Rilke Schule German School of Arts and Sciences learn German, facilitating the immersion into the German culture and language. We attract a diverse student population by offering a challenging high-quality bilingual education supported by a unique after-school program with a variety of activities ranging from sports, robotics, and Legos, to arts, drama, music to other languages such as Chinese, Korean, French and Spanish (upon demand).
This school is named after Rainer Maria Rilke, who was born René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke in 1875 in Prague, Bohemia and died 1926 in Switzerland. He is considered one of the greatest poets and writers of 20th century German Literature. He wrote in both verse and a highly lyrical prose. His poetic style was rich and supple, varying from simple to the elaborate and profound. Rilke has been attributed with transforming the German language into a poetic language with his dense, lyrical style, and his startling images that portray the complexities of modern life and their effects on the sensitive human being. Rilke’s poetry is generally characterized by striking visual imagery and musicality. His poetry and writing was greatly influenced by his wandering life among literary people as well as his travels, notably by trips to Russia, Italy, North Africa, and elsewhere. He was a superb and prolific letter writer. Rilke's reputation has ascended to great heights since his death. Most of his work has been translated.
The school’s mascot is a panther in reference to Rilke’s poem 'Der Panther' (The Panther).
Der Panther Im Jardin des Plantes, Paris
Sein Blick ist vom Vorübergehn der Stäbe so müd geworden, daß er nichts mehr hält. Ihm ist, als ob es tausend Stäbe gäbe und hinter tausend Stäben keine Welt.
Der weiche Gang geschmeidig starker Schritte, der sich im allerkleinsten Kreise dreht, ist wie ein Tanz von Kraft um eine Mitte, in der betäubt ein großer Wille steht
Nur manchmal schiebt der Vorhang der Pupille sich lautlos auf –. Dann geht ein Bild hinein, geht durch der Glieder angespannte Stille – und hört im Herzen auf zu sein.
Rainer Maria Rilke
The Panther Jardin des Plantes, Paris
His vision from the passing of the bars is grown so weary that it holds nor more. To him it seems there are a thousand bars and behind a thousand bars no world.
The padding gait of flexibly strong strides, that in the very smallest circle turns, is like a dance of strength around a center in which stupefied a great will stands.
Only sometimes the curtain of the pupil soundlessly parts –. Then an image enters, goes through the tensioned stillness of the limbs – and in the heart ceases to be.
Rainer Maria Rilke
April, 2008
The Bundesverwaltungsamt / Zentralstelle für Auslandschulen (ZfA) agreed and confirmed to support Rilke Schule with €15,000 ($23,454) annually. Furthermore it agreed to pay for a German teacher who holds the "2. Staatsexamen" from Germany. The news reached the Rilke Schule APC recently. The announcement will be made official during the Grand Opening of the school, at the beginning of October and a ceremonial "big check" will handed over to the founders of the school.
Rilke Schule was also placed on the list of German Immersionprograms Abroad. Only schools named on this list receive this monetary support from the German Government.
The APC and the staff will dicuss and plan carefully what to purchase for the German classes to create a more authentic German language and culture learning environment.
The founders of the school are grateful and honored that the BVA has recognized the enormous efforts and hard work it took to create Rilke Schule and to promote the German language and culture in Alaska. The founders are also thankful for the strong support of Rilke Schule's dedicated principal (Crystal Wrabetz), teachers, and staff, as well as the Rilke Schule Verein; this daunting project could not have been accomplished with out them. Danke!
The APC: Klaus Mayer (Pres.), Antje Carlson, Petra Nickerson, Jo Sanders, Max Gruener, Joe Reid.
The German Club of Anchorage has donated $15,000 in support of our desperately needed playground structure. The German Club is impressed with the dedication of the staff, supporters, and students of the Rilke Schule and understands the importance of building healthy minds and bodies.
Thank you, German Club, for your very generous gift!
Well organized and prepared: Rilke Schule particapted for the second time at the school fair at the ASD Boniface Mall. Thanks to our wonderful Parent Organization, Rilke Schule had a professional looking exhibit. We thank our principal Frau Wrabetz and her staff for giving their Saturday for this day. Because of their support, parents received in-depth information and qualified answers to their questions.
l-r: Joe Reid, Petra Nickerson, Barbara Farmer, Charmin Martin, Denny Drury
l-r: Petra Nickerson, Arlynda Hermann, Barbara Farmer and parent registering a child.
Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13, 2007 Rilke Schule hit the airwaves across Alaska. Reporter Ellen Lockyer conducted an interview with Jo Sanders, Antje Carlson, and Terri Wood.
Here is the link: Ach! Du Lieber! Click on the feature on the right panel.
If you don't see Ach! Du Lieber! on the home page, pls. check the archives.
Our students had their singing and dancing debut at this year's Oktoberfest. The German Club welcomed the young talents and is happy to see that the culture and language is kept alive. Parent, Arlynda Hermann took time to sew red suspenders for the boys and aprons for the girls. Thanks, Mom! And don't they all look darling?
"Ich habe eine Banane und die Banane ist grün......" was the song of the evening
In October Heinz Kohlmeier, Consultant for the Center of German Studies Abroad, and Rita Reiff, President of German American School Association (GASA) visited the school where they observed the classrooms and talked to teachers, parents, and APC members. They also met with ASD Superintendent Carol Comeau, World Language Coordinator Janice Gullickson, and Curriculum Director Enid Silverstein. The objective of the visit was to get Rilke Schule support and recognition from the German Government. Here is the exact replication of Mr. Kohlmeier's impression that he summarized in a letter to us. A letter of recommendation is also being written and then forwarded to the German Foreign Ministery.
Los Angeles, October 2007
As the German Government’s Educational Language Consultant on the West Coast, it is one of my missions to help develop and to support German-American immersion schools with challenging curricula.
The German government is especially interested in recognizing and assisting excellent programs so that they become models to foster the important and long standing German-American relations. It is in both state’s interest to educate students with an open mind for tolerance and international multicultural understanding in a bi-cultural bi-lingual environment.
Rilke Schule is tailoring a service to the interested American public, desiring challenging American and German-International diplomas for access to the most distinguished universities world-wide.
The best of American, German and international educational standards sponsor *Understanding of other cultures and languages *Global citizens *Future leaders *Intellectual and personal development.
The unique way to achieve those qualities is *Acquiring native mastery in German through immersion *Learning even more languages in a multicultural school setting *Language proficiency by studying subjects in several languages *Special support in individual cases
The German Language Consultant *Sponsors the program according to the ongoing development * Provides consultancy to the school *Supervises the administration of the German curriculum *Connects to a world network of similar schools and model schools throughout the US *Sponsors continuity
The German language consultant will visit the school on a regular basis and provide support for further development. Along with American standards supervised by American authorities there will also be an ongoing rigorous quality assessment by the German language consultant on teaching, curriculum and school atmosphere.
Rilke Schule is supported and run by a very experienced team of teachers and administrators, some of which are legendary for their expertise throughout the US. Furthermore the Anchorage school district recognizes the potential and high quality of Rilke Schule by showing unprecedented support.
All of this and the quality teaching that could be observed guarantee that Rilke Schule will exceed all expectations.
Teacher and photographer Nick Gillespie took this historic picture. Thank you Nick! This was a precious moment, especially for the founding members of the school
Under beautiful sunny skies, Rilke Schule, parents, and friends enjoyed a delightful Grillfest on the backside of the school building. For our 4th Lottery, we wanted to bring the parents and friends together by organizing a fun summertime event. Also, we invited a special guest: IDITAROD CHAMPION MARTIN BUSER. The kids buzzed around him, and Martin not only graciously signed photos but also did the lottery drawing. His wife Kathy accompanied him and she shared her experiences as an elementary teacher at Midnight Sun Family Learning Center in Wasilla with APC members and some of our teachers. The Rilke Schule APC was totally suprised by the huge turnout of people. We estimate that between 120 and 150 people attended the event. Among them were Hans Schwaiger, President of the German Club in Anchorage, and Susan Forbes, principal of Aquarian Charter School. Another highlight was the introduction of our prinicipal, Mrs. Crystal Wrabetz, and some of the teachers: Elisabeth Vischer, Jo Sanders, Una Swain, Tiffany Kelly, Lindsay Forbes, and Michael Helgesen. The Grillfest was mainly organized by the parents. Everybody brought something and pitched in with food, tables, plates and "silverware", drinks, etc. A special thank you goes to the Hermann Family who generously provided all the hamburgers and hotdogs, as well as a beautiful sheetcake decorated with our mascot. Craig Mollerstuen set up a German movie (Monster AG) inside for the kids to watch.
Martin Buser draws the students' names. Kimala Rein takes notes, Antje Carlson and Petra Nickerson (in front of table) observe the drawing.
Martin Buser and Kimala Rein
A food line wraps around the building. There was plenty of food for everybody.
Martin Buser autographs his Iditarod photos. Kathy (in the background wearing white blouse), accompanied Martin to the Grillfest. Kathy, we are glad you came!
Hans Schwaiger, German Club President, is having a good time waiting for his turn in the food lane.
Our Grillmeister is dishing it out to the students!
We had a great time with you and Kathy! Please come again!
$1 million renovation in works for opening of German school
The Anchorage School District's newest charter school has secured a building and enrolled enough students to open this fall.
The Rilke Schule German School of Arts and Sciences boasts that its educational experience is "like sending your child to Germany every day."
Like any of the district's popular immersion programs, Rilke Schule will provide more than just a chance to learn a new language, said Klaus Mayer, chair of the school's Academic Policy Committee.
"You gain the appreciation of another culture," Mayer said. "It's more than just the language."
The school is named for Rainer Maria Rilke, a celebrated poet and writer of 20th century German literature. "Schule" translates to "school."
"And being a German school, we'll do lots of drama, plays, music," Mayer said. "And on the other hand, we'll have really strong science teachers as well. It seems like that could be a really nice mix."
So far, 151 students from kindergarten through eighth grade have enrolled -- some were signed up long ago, others joining through a lottery process, he said.
The new school is located at 650 W. International Airport Road. The goal is for students to be on track to becoming fluent German speakers by the time they leave eighth grade for high schools, where German-language programs are already in place.
With the new school, Anchorage will have seven charter schools. None of the others have a foreign-language focus.
July 3, 2007
The current tenant of the Rilke Schule building, Huffman Commercials, donated a lot of office furniture and supplies to our school. In return for the donation, the business wanted us to clean and move out the furniture into a container or else throw unusable items into a provided dumpster. Rilke Schule appreciates the donation of such elegant and wonderful office furniture and the many office supplies.
The APC called for help and the call was answered in a good show of hands from parents, their children, and friends. We much appreciate your support. And yes, this work DEFINITELY counts towards your hours of "parental involvement" in the school and we have documented it right here. After two hours of hard work, we all enjoyed some much need refreshments.
Not all helpers are pictured in this group photo.
June 22, 2007
Rilke Schule APC President Klaus Mayer and landlord Steve Zelener from International Airport, LLC, seal the successful Rilke Schule lease contract negotiations with a handshake. The Anchorage School District gave verbal approval of the contract following this 2-hour meeting, Friday, June 22, 2007 . The design and construction teams have been on stand-by and will start renovations and construction of the building in full force immediately. This approval concludes intense and arduous negotiations between the ASD, International Airport, LLC, and Rilke Schule.
Steve Zelener (left) and Klaus Mayer.
We appreciate your patience and the trust you have placed in our school. With support from our parents, we can move forward to get the school ready for opening.
First Rilke Schule Lottery
March 15, 2007
The first public lottery drawing took place March 15, 2007 at 10 am in the Senior Leadership Conference Room at Hope Community Resources (540 W Int'l Airport Rd.). It was a historical moment for us! The Honorary Consul of Germany, Bernd Guetschow, witnessed the event and drew the grades and names. Two parents (Mrs. Debra Schwicht in the photo) volunteered their time and attended the drawing, too. Others present were: Jo Sanders, Klaus Mayer, Antje Carlson, and Max Gruener.
Rilke Schule Family Fest: February 25, 2007
The Family Fest on Sunday, February 25, 2007 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. was a fun-packed afternoon for the children and an informative get-together for the parents. An estimated 20 parents, their children, volunteers, and interested families came by and had a chat, connected with other families and asked questions about the Rilke Schule. Another Family Fest will be organized in the Spring.
Children are listening to Chalon Rein who explains the button accordeon.
Event organizer Kimala Rein and parents Renata Hoskins and Michele Swain-Jackson engaged in a friendly chat.
Alternative School Fair: January 27, 2007
The Anchorage School District's Alternative School Fair was held on January 27th, 2007 at the Boniface Mall. It was a great success as we were able to introduce the Rilke Schule to many parents, answer a wide variety of questions regarding this new educational opportunity, and gather enrollment applications. A big 'Thank you' to all the volunteers!
German school approved
By KATIE PESZNECKER Anchorage Daily News
(Published: December 10, 2006)
The Anchorage School Board has approved creation of a German immersion charter school.
The Rilke Schule German School of Arts and Sciences will open in fall 2007 at a site on Fireweed Lane near North Star Elementary School, if organizers can enroll 150 kids.
The district already operates Spanish, Japanese and Russian immersion classes as part of regular school programs. This would be the first immersion program to run as a charter school. Students will begin by taking half their lessons in German, the other half in English. Classes would become more German-heavy as the years progress.
Kids will celebrate German holidays, learn about the country's culture, travel to Germany, and chat by e-mail and regular mail with German pen pals. The school gets its name from German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. His famous poem, "Der Panther," gives Rilke Schule a panther as its mascot.
Board member Jake Metcalfe originally voted against the charter school, but later changed his vote.
It's nothing against German language and culture, Metcalfe said. He spoke German in college and said it remains a useful language when traveling through Europe.
"My whole problem with charter schools is because we don't provide transportation, they become these little private public schools," he said. "That isn't right for me because public schools are supposed to be for everybody. ... I think it fractures the district. I don't think it's good for education."
Another immersion charter school is in the works: Susan Oakley, a French teacher at Goldenview Middle School, is forming a French immersion school that would go up for School Board review in about a year.
Oakley said it's possible the French school -- if approved -- would share a building with the German immersion program.
Kinderfest Success
For the second year in a row, Rilke Schule offered a once-a-month sneak preview at our German Kindergarten program. The demand was overwhelming, so we offered a total of 5 Saturdays: Are you curious to see what your child will be doing in German Kindergarten next year? Bring your child for a two-hour preview class on Saturday from 10am to Noon. Songs, games, snacks, crafts – all in German! Parents, you will be able to get answers to all questions you might have about our program.
This school is named after Rainer Maria Rilke, who was born René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke in 1875 in Prague, Bohemia and died 1926 in Switzerland. He is considered one of the greatest poets and writers of 20th century German Literature. He wrote in both verse and a highly lyrical prose. His poetic style was rich and supple, varying from simple to the elaborate and profound. Rilke has been attributed with transforming the German language into a poetic language with his dense, lyrical style, and his startling images that portray the complexities of modern life and their effects on the sensitive human being. Rilke’s poetry is generally characterized by striking visual imagery and musicality. His poetry and writing was greatly influenced by his wandering life among literary people as well as his travels, notably by trips to Russia, Italy, North Africa, and elsewhere. He was a superb and prolific letter writer. Rilke's reputation has ascended to great heights since his death. Most of his work has been translated.
The Panther Jardin des Plantes, Paris
l-r: Joe Reid, Petra Nickerson, Barbara Farmer, Charmin Martin, Denny Drury
l-r: Petra Nickerson, Arlynda Hermann, Barbara Farmer and parent registering a child. 
Petra Nickerson and teacher Stephanie Campbell
l-r: Denny Drury and Klaus Mayer
As the German Government’s Educational Language Consultant on the West Coast, it is one of my missions to help develop and to support German-American immersion schools with challenging curricula. 
Rilke Schule APC President Klaus Mayer and landlord Steve Zelener from International Airport, LLC, seal the successful Rilke Schule lease contract negotiations with a handshake. 
The first public lottery drawing took place March 15, 2007 at 10 am in the Senior Leadership Conference Room at Hope Community Resources (540 W Int'l Airport Rd.). It was a historical moment for us! The Honorary Consul of Germany, Bernd Guetschow, witnessed the event and drew the grades and names. Two parents (Mrs. Debra Schwicht in the photo) volunteered their time and attended the drawing, too. Others present were: Jo Sanders, Klaus Mayer, Antje Carlson, and Max Gruener. 
Children are listening to Chalon Rein who explains the button accordeon. 
Event organizer Kimala Rein and parents Renata Hoskins and Michele Swain-Jackson engaged in a friendly chat.
The Anchorage School District's Alternative School Fair was held on January 27th, 2007 at the Boniface Mall. It was a great success as we were able to introduce the Rilke Schule to many parents, answer a wide variety of questions regarding this new educational opportunity, and gather enrollment applications. A big 'Thank you' to all the volunteers! 