German Exchange Students Arrive at CHS
Guten Tag, Central Rockets!
For the 28th year, Central High School is proud to welcome students and teachers from our partner school in Großröhrsdorf, Germany, through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP). From September 22 to October 5, 2025, ten German students and two of their teachers will join our school community.
During their stay, our guests will:
- Attend classes alongside their CHS host students
- Take part in exciting afternoon activities such as Epic Air, Funway, and movie nights
- Visit local destinations, including a company tour in Geneva
- Explore Chicago and Northern Illinois University on special field trips
This exchange is much more than a travel program—it’s a lasting partnership that began in 1997 with our sister school, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch Gymnasium, located near Dresden in Saxony. Earlier this summer, six CHS German students spent two weeks in Germany, experiencing life with host families, improving their language skills, and creating lifelong memories.
Here’s what some of our Rockets had to say about their GAPP experience:
- “Going to Germany was the most life-changing experience of my entire life. I made lifelong friends halfway across the world.” – Timothy Zell, Grade 9
- “This trip has inspired me to continue learning German for many years and make sure it plays a role in my future.” – Madison Keating, Grade 9
- “After taking four years of German, I was excited to test out and improve upon my skills with native speakers, and through GAPP I was able to have an authentic German experience.” – Connor Polz, Grade 11
As we welcome our German partners, let’s show them the same warm hospitality they extended to our students. Don’t forget—if you see them in the halls, a simple “Guten Tag” goes a long way.
We’re excited for another unforgettable chapter in this international partnership that has touched hundreds of students and families over nearly three decades.
#WeAreCentral 🚀