Education Policy in Frankfurt: Focus on School Construction, Childcare, and Infrastructure

School Construction Campaign and New Gymnasiums

January 2026 marked a milestone in Frankfurt's education policy: The Committee for Education and School Construction passed several groundbreaking decisions within the framework of the school construction campaign. A particular focus was the lease of the property at Neue Börsenstraße 1 to accommodate two new Gymnasiums. Additionally, a new Gymnasium was announced for the northern part of Frankfurt, to be realized in the coming years.

The evaluation of the first year of the school construction campaign showed that the city is making progress, but challenges remain. Particularly in densely populated areas such as Eckenheim and Preungesheim, there are still bottlenecks in school sports infrastructure. The CDU faction specifically called for targeted measures to improve teaching and learning conditions in outdoor classes, which the Magistrat referred for review and reporting.

Heat Protection, Noise Protection, and Digital Interfaces

Another central discussion point was the heat protection concept for schools and childcare centers. Given the rising temperatures due to climate change, it is essential to ensure comfort and a conducive learning environment in municipal educational institutions. The Magistrat was requested to submit a report on this issue within the next three months.

Noise protection was also discussed, especially for the Pestalozzischule. In addition, a digital interface between vocational schools and companies was proposed to make internships and training relationships more efficient. The vocational school campus in Unterliederbach remains a central focus of Frankfurt's training policy.

Full-Day Childcare and School Meals

The implementation of the statutory entitlement to full-day childcare for primary school children was unanimously approved by the City Council. This is a crucial step to provide parents with greater security and flexibility. In addition, a pilot project was approved to combat knockout drops in schools, reflecting growing concerns about the mental health of children and young people.

Another focus was the long-term improvement of school meals. The Magistrat was requested to develop a concept that strengthens food security, promotes healthy meals, and simultaneously takes ecological aspects into account.

Outlook and Challenges

Frankfurt has clearly positioned itself in January 2026 as a city with ambitions in education policy. The planned Gymnasiums, the renovation of existing schools, and the securing of childcare services show that the city is investing in a future-oriented expansion. At the same time, funding remains a decisive factor – particularly in light of the impact of university budget cuts, which were controversially discussed in the City Council.

The coming months will show how the decisions can be implemented in practice. The dialogue between politics, administration, and schools remains central to sustainably strengthening Frankfurt's educational landscape.