John F. Kennedy School, Berlin

The John F. Kennedy School is a primary and secondary school in Berlin, Germany. It was established in 1960 under the name "German-American Community School" as a school offering integrated, bilingual education for both German and American children, to foster cultural exchange between young natives of West Berlin and children from U.S. Armed Forces families. The school received its current name in December 1963 in honor of United States President John F. Kennedy. After Germany's reunification in 1990 and the withdrawal of the Allied forces, the mission of the school was redefined. Originally the focus was primarily on the reconciliation after the Second World War; today, the school is a model for bilingual schools in Europe.The John F. Kennedy School includes all grades from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students can choose to graduate after grade 12 with the American high school diploma as well as the German Abitur.The school has a modern campus with 135 classrooms, 9 science labs, 3 computer labs, 2 library centers, two gymnasiums, and a fine arts annex, spread out in and around its 6 main buildings. Situated in the locality of Zehlendorf in Southwestern Berlin, the school is conveniently close to bus routes, the S-Bahn, parks, and a district shopping area.