As President of the German School Association I couldn't be prouder of the school's history and accomplishments since its inception in 1962. I'm sure the founders of the school could not have imagined the school would continue this long, or that it would grow, expand, and improve to where it is now. Those founders were Andrew Roeslein (the first Principal, long-time instructor, and President, and our President Emeritus), Jakob Thalheimer (the first President and my father), and the late-Conrad Geislinger (long-time instructor)

At age 7, I started attending German School on Saturday mornings as did the children of many of the German families in St. Louis. My instructors included Andrew Roeslein and Conrad Geislinger and I have fond memories of those classes, as do my friends and German School classmates. These friends and classmates are now sending their children to German School so they can learn the language and culture of their German heritage. But the majority of our current German School students do not necessarily share a German heritage, but rather attend the school because of their interest in the language and culture.

When the German School Association began, classes were only offered for children, but as the school became more well-known, there was a growing demand for adult classes. In the late 1980's adult classes were introduced along with children's classes at the school. The adult classes have become so popular that in the 2006/2007 school year, the number of adult students exceeded the number of children students for the first time in the school's history. The school's enrollment continues to increase each year and the school continues to improve and evolve to meet the needs of the current and prospective students.

The success of the school is directly related to the quality of its instructors and the leadership of its officers and board of directors. Our instructors are exceptional. Not only are the instructors well-trained and innovative in their teaching methods, they offer classes that are well-prepared, interesting, and fun to attend. Ninety percent of our instructors are also native speakers and the school's courses are now in compliance with the European Union Standard of Languages.

Our board of directors and officers consistently strive for ways to improve the school. In the last few years the school applied for, and received, federal tax exemption, allowing for solicitation of grants and significant funding from corporations and private donors. All of the officers and directors are directly involved with an in-depth push to increase enrollment by promoting the school through all forms of advertising. Last year, a scholarship fund was initiated and the board has been working on the development of a scholarship program to benefit students enrolled in the school.

On September 8, 2007, the German School Association celebrates the start of the 45th year of classes. It is our hope that you will join our classes or that you will pass on word of our classes to family, friends, or anyone who would be interested in the German language and culture. If you are interested in attending classes, making a donation to the school, or to the scholarship fund, please visit our website at www.germanstl.org/germanschool for registration forms, school calendars, and contact information. Your support is always welcome and appreciated!

Helga Thalheimer
President