Pfefferwerk Stadtkultur gGmbH - Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Stadtkultur

W-I-R Elementary School began in the 2010/11 school year as a cooperation between Pfefferwerk Stadtkultur gGmbH as the school’s sponsoring organization and the parents’ association Bewegte Eltern e.V. as the after-school provider. Since 2017, we have been a state-recognized school. W-I-R stands for “wish, initiate, realize.” As of 2024, the school’s after-school program is also anchored within Pfefferwerk. Located in the green district of Köpenick, we offer spaces and freedom for living and learning. Our daily work is shaped by reform-pedagogical approaches inspired by Maria Montessori and Célestin Freinet. The school and after-school program operate according to a unified concept and offer full-day open learning. At the center of our concept are philosophy and communication based on reform-pedagogical principles. Approximately 145 children learn at our school in mixed-age groups, organized into six learning groups across grades 1–3 and 4–6. Key components of our educational approach include independent work with Montessori materials and an open weekly learning plan. Experiential learning in studios, workshops, outdoor spaces, and at external learning locations shapes everyday school life. The adults in the school see themselves as learning guides. Individualized feedback for children and parents is provided through regular development conferences. We do not use traditional grades. A special feature of W-I-R Elementary School is the educational partnership with parents.