Our History

Hainerberg was opened in the early 1950's when the entire housing area was built.  It was opened as a K-5 school and serviced all the children in the immediate housing area and all the students on the economy. The 7th and 8th grades were located in the northern part of the building and Hap H. Arnold High School  was across the street in the next block.  As enrollments in the elementary school grew, some of the classes were moved into basement rooms in the housing area along Mississippi Strasse.    There were 9 of these classrooms and they were first used for 6th and 5th grade classes and special classes such as art and special education classes.

In 1982, a new wing was added to Hainerberg Elementary School which expanded the school considerably.  The basement classes were closed and students from three other elementary schools in the Wiesbaden area (Wiesbaden Air Base Elementary School, Lindsey Air Station Elementary School and Crestview Housing Elementary School) were bussed to Hainerberg Elementary. The enrollment at this time jumped from 900 to 1500 plus.  The faculties from these three schools also became part of Hainerberg.

Mr. Lenz  was our first principal in the new school.  He loved kids and did many special things for them.  He used to bring a circus to the school yearly.   He also invited a petting zoo to our school.   That was very special!!  Students  also went to the Opera House at Christmas time and to the Market Church in Wiesbaden for an organ concert.  Mr. Lenz had the whole school participate in designing a medal for the annual volksmarch. He believed in "whole school involvement"! 

The original school mascot used to be the Spitfires. Mr. Lenz's  dog "East" came to school every day with him and would follow him wherever he went....to the classrooms, to meetings.  East knew the students, and the children loved her.  We had a birthday party for her every year.  All the children would line up on the playground, Mr. Lenz would wheel her out proudly on her cart, and we all would sing "Happy Birthday to her!

Because of East, the dachshund became our mascot.

Mr. Lenz retired in 1993 and moved to Chicago, a perfect place for him because of his interest in architecture and his enjoyment of  cultural activities the city of Chicago provides.

Dr. James came to our school with her wonderful charm and super smile. We can still hear her "laugh".  The students looked forward to greeting her as they got off the bus in the morning.  She started their day - to be ready to work and learn.   She was a "frequent" in the cafeteria and school playground.   She believed  strongly that all children have talents and it is part of the school's job to provide opportunities to extend and enhance those talents.   She also felt it was important to bridge school, home, military community relationships.  She supported programs that reached out to the community and was the originator of our School Home Partnership Program.

Ms. Gaski came to Hainerberg in the fall of 1999.  She worked hard to get to know the students, staff, and parents of our school.  She initiated partnership activities with our new military support unit, the 205th MI BN. Twelve of their members were  mentors for some of our fourth and fifth grade students. 

Ms. Gaski asssisted in  rewriting our school rules, so we now have the "High Five" to help us keep Hainerberg a safe and friendly school community.

I behave in safe ways.
I am responsible for my own choices.
I take care of my school and my own things.
I make good choices to allow myself and others to learn.
I treat everyone with kindness and respect.

Mr. Mark Benham came to our school the year after our nation's 9/11 attack. It was difficult year for us and Mr. Benham supported our Student Council by dedicating a "Memorial Tree" to all those whose lives were lost...and all those...our heros who helped us survive that terrible. day.

The tree is in the front of our school and it's blossoms in the spring remind us why we are here overseas, our military families, to protect our country and to apreciate our freedom. Mr. Benham was that soft spoken principal that cared about students and the faculty. It was he who instigated our end of the year send off to our retiring teachers and 5th graders.

We line the hallways and applaud them as they leave our Hainerberg hallways on the last day of school one final time!!!