In 1974 Josef-Effner-Gymnasium (JEG), which was founded in 1952, moved to a new home in idyllic surroundings on the River Amper. The building was designed by Günther Behnisch, the architect who created the splendid Olympic Stadium in Munich. At the same time the school was given the name of the famous baroque architect and master builder from Dachau: Josef Effner (1687-1745).

Our school is a "Gymnasium". A Bavarian "Gymnasium" is roughly comparable to a British grammar school and provides an academically oriented general education from grade 5 to 13. Josef-Effner-Gymnasium is both a "sprachliches Gymnasium" and a "mathematisch-technologisches Gymnasium", i.e. emphasis is placed either on languages - English, French and Latin are requirements, but Italian is also offered - or on mathematics, computer science, physics and chemistry.

Each student learns at least two foreign languages thoroughly. In addition our students have to take compulsory classes in history, geography, civics, economics, biology, art, music and sport. Religious studies can be replaced by participation in an ethics class. Various elective courses are also part of the curriculum.

Those who complete the challenging coursework and perform satisfactorily on a final examination earn the "Abitur" certificate, which is the prerequisite for university study.

At present we have 1513 students and over 100 teachers. The principal of our school is Dr. Kurt Stecher.

Exchange programs with schools in Australia, England, France and the United States of America have allowed our students to establish many and diverse contacts with young people from those nations.

The Bavarian Ministry of Education has entrusted Josef-Effner-Gymnasium with organizing guided tours through the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. It is recommended that student groups who are interested in a tour through the memorial site book a few months before their visit (Phone: 0049-8131-66 64 720, Fax 0049-8131-66 64 721 ; Email: gedenkstaettenbetreuung.jeg@effner.de).