20 Schools Advance to the Next Round

In the coming weeks, jury members will visit all 20 schools to gain a comprehensive picture on site. They will hold discussions with teachers, students, parents, and external partners, observe classes, and experience school projects firsthand. Based on these impressions, the jury will nominate up to 15 schools for the final round in mid‑June.

The shortlisted schools will take part in the formal award ceremony on September 29, 2026, in Berlin. The award will be presented by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The main prize is endowed with €100,000, with five additional prizes of €30,000 each. All other nominated schools will receive a recognition award of €5,000. In total, €300,000 in prize money will be awarded.

The jury assesses applicant schools based on the six areas of quality of the German School Award: quality of instruction, student achievement, approaches to diversity, responsibility, school climate, school life, and external partners, and the school as a learning institution. These criteria are now widely recognized as key indicators of high-quality schooling.
The award’s impact extends far beyond the schools that receive it. Successful concepts are made accessible nationwide through the German School Portal, as well as through professional development programs and publications. Applicant schools can also take part in the German School Award Forum for 15 months, where they work intensively on developing their teaching practices. A nationwide school visitation program gives teachers opportunities to gain insights into the day-to-day work of award-winning schools. In this way, a continuous cycle emerges in which effective school practices are made visible, shared, and further developed over time.