Marienhöhe Adventist School Center in Germany Recognized as a Health-Promoting School

The Marienhöhe School Center in Darmstadt, Germany, has been awarded the overall certificate of “Health-Promoting School” by the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs in recognition of its efforts to encourage physical activity, healthy nutrition, and staff well-being.

The certificate, presented on August 27, 2025, by Hessian State Secretary for Education Dr. Manuel Lösel, marks the school’s third time receiving this honor, following awards in 2010 and 2015. The campus had previously earned partial certificates for initiatives in areas such as addiction and violence prevention, nutrition, and teacher health.

[Photo: Schulzentrum Marienhöhe]

Lösel, a former teacher, highlighted the importance of staff wellness: “If teachers are not healthy, then school does not function. Often, the most basic needs are put aside—at the expense of one’s own health.” He described the award as both recognition and encouragement to continue prioritizing health in education.

Focus on Holistic Learning

The Seventh-day Adventist Church supports the Marienhöhe Adventist School Center, which comprises an elementary school, a secondary school, a high school, and a boarding school.

The school emphasizes holistic development and integrates health promotion into everyday life. Its park-like campus offers green spaces, sports areas, and gardens that are used both for recreation and in lessons.

The school promotes physical activity through sports weeks, hiking days, project weeks, and active travel. As an official Bike School with the bikepool Hessen association, Marienhöhe supports safe cycling and has expanded bicycle parking to encourage environmentally friendly commuting.

Prioritizing Teacher Health

The school also invests in teacher well-being through ergonomic workspaces, rest areas, resilience training, and stress management programs. Initiatives such as JobRad leasing, teacher sports, and regular peer consultations are part of its long-term health strategy.

“Our goal is to create a holistic living space in which learning, movement, and well-being go hand in hand,” the school’s leadership stated.

The 10-hectare campus, a large part of which is designed as green space and learning areas, provides ideal conditions with sports facilities, a school garden, and a natural environment.

A Century of Education

Founded in 1924 as the “Seminar Marienhöhe,” the institution has grown into a comprehensive school system serving about 800 students with 84 teachers across 44 classes. The school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024.

The original article was published on the Inter-European Division news site.