Pauline Ponti is the principal of the ALEA SCHOOL. She comes from a family of educators, and education and school leadership have been part of her life since childhood. She grew up in Bernbach (Freigericht), attended the Regenbogenschule there, and graduated from high school at the Kopernikusschule. She studied secondary school teaching in Marburg and Buenos Aires. She then taught English and Spanish at Bettinaschule, Anna-Schmidt-Schule and most recently as a teacher at Adorno-Gymnasium in Frankfurt am Main - and is now returning to her home in Spessart, Hesse, for her new role.
The international spirit of ALEA SCHOOL permeates Pauline Ponti's résumé: as a student, she learned about the world and its history in English, worked on a volunteer school project in Tanzania, traveled to China, and studied and completed several internships in Buenos Aires.
School principal
English | Spanish | ALEA OUT LOUD
Pauline Ponti
School management
Englisch | ISpanisch | ALEA OUT LOUD
Pauline Ponti is the principal of the ALEA SCHOOL. She comes from a family of educators, and education and school leadership have been part of her life since childhood. She grew up in Bernbach (Freigericht), attended the Regenbogenschule there, and graduated from high school at the Kopernikusschule. She studied secondary school teaching in Marburg and Buenos Aires. She then taught English and Spanish at Bettinaschule, Anna-Schmidt-Schule and most recently as a teacher at Adorno-Gymnasium in Frankfurt am Main - and is now returning to her home in Spessart, Hesse, for her new role.
The international spirit of ALEA SCHOOL permeates Pauline Ponti's résumé: as a student, she learned about the world and its history in English, worked on a volunteer school project in Tanzania, traveled to China, and studied and completed several internships in Buenos Aires.
Take advantage of this opportunity to be part of the start-up phase now—and benefit from further training and stays abroad as part of the IB Program. Submit your application now!
Connor Voss
Patricia Franz
Anna O’callaghan
Middle school management
Science | IB Coordinator
English Native
Head of Department 1
German | Support (dyslexia)
School sports management | Safety & first aid
English | Sports (PE)
English Native
Performing Arts | English | ALEA OUT LOUD
English Native
Larissa Nawra Ruhl
yannick diemel
Lena Ihl
Marius Wiesen
Mathematics | Art | Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social studies | Ethics | IT support |
Student council work | Sustainability Officer
English | Mathematics
English Native
Music | Politics & Economy
Der Bewerbungsprozess für das Schuljahr 2026/2027 ist vorangeschritten - Einreichungen schriftlicher Bewerbungen waren bis Ende November 2025 möglich. Die nächsten Steps im Auswahlverfahren nehmen wir bis März 2026.
Im Spätsommer 2026 öffnen wir ein neues Bewerbungsfenster für das Schuljahr 2027/2028.
Die ALEA SCHOOL wächst und gedeiht. Wir halten Sie über die kommenden Schritte auf dem Laufenden.
Become a first responder - learn how to save lives!
The First Aid Club is all about learning how to save lives in an emergency and stay calm in critical moments. Step by step, we work through the basics of first aid so that the students end up with an official first aid certificate. Every week, we tackle a new, practical topic from the field of medical services to prepare the children as well as possible for real emergencies.
Leader:
Sascha Lutz
sascha.lutz@alea.school
Costs:
Included in the ALEA SCHOOL fees
Computers, codes and lots of creativity - that's what you get at the IT Club! Here, ALEA students become internet experts and discover what's behind a barcode, program with Calliope, learn what blinking has to do with Morse code, and take a look at the world of artificial intelligence. Trying things out together and discovering new things: making technology fun!
Leader:
Ida Göbel
(ALEA SCHOOL IT Partner Maxworx GmbH)
Marketing@maxworx.com
Costs:
Included in the ALEA SCHOOL fees
The golf club is expected to be available from the second half of 2025/2026.
The music club is all about making music together and having fun. No matter what instrument a child plays or whether a clever fox prefers to sing - everyone is welcome in the music club! Together in the club, we find out what talents we have and then find the right project. Maybe we'll form a band, maybe we'll work on a piece of music with vocals and percussion. Anything is possible!
It is important to us that you not only make music in a group, but also receive individual support. We take a look at what you can already do and help you to develop further.
Leader:
Marius Wiesen
marius.wiesen@alea.school
Costs:
Included in the ALEA SCHOOL fees
In the Creativity Club, we want to promote craftsmanship, uphold traditions and have fun creating something new. We will start with the basics of crocheting and want to design projects for different seasons and events (possible examples: pumpkins, ghosts, poinsettias, hearts).
Leader:
Patricia Franz
patricia.franz@alea.school
Verena Schulte
verena.schulte@alea.school
Costs:
Included in the ALEA SCHOOL fees
If you enjoy being outdoors and are interested in nature, the ALEA Botany Club is the perfect place for you. We spend a lot of time outdoors getting to know the world of plants and animals in our immediate surroundings. We do crafts and work on projects such as birdhouses, helping animals get through the winter.
We also take care of our school garden, where we plant beds in the spring and grow our own vegetables. In the Botany Club, we teach practical plant knowledge - and the great feeling of watching plants grow and flourish.
Leader:
Nadine Adam
nadine.adam@alea.school
Costs:
Included in the ALEA SCHOOL fees
Together we practise yoga meditation, breathing, physical exercises (asanas) and relaxation (savasana). We also learn more about yoga traditions and ancient Indian wisdom. In addition to the challenging school day, students can relax, have fun and strengthen their bodies in the yoga club. The club also offers a space to share and contribute your own experiences.
Leader:
Nadine Adam
nadine.adam@alea.school
Costs:
Included in the ALEA SCHOOL fees
Action, games, and fun: At the sports club, we will start with padel tennis and fitness—the perfect combination of play and training. Children will work on their padel technique with Coach Lutz and burn off energy with targeted fitness sessions to improve their fitness levels.
Leader:
Sascha Lutz
sascha.lutz@alea.school
Costs:
Included in the ALEA SCHOOL fees
We believe that the future of the earth lies in the hands of those who have the courage not only to talk about it, but also to take action. If you are passionate about sustainability, climate change, and social justice, and want to make a difference, then you've come to the right place.
Our club is more than just a place for heated debates. We are a community that learns how to argue persuasively, listen, and view the world from different perspectives. But we don't just stop at words. We put our ideas into practice.
One highlight is our sustainability project: the Climate Kiosk. Here we sell consumables - such as exercise books, pens and paper - and donate the proceeds to charitable projects that promote environmental protection. In this way, we actively support environmental projects and promote sustainable awareness in our school at the same time.
Another core element of our club is the Model United Nations (MUN). Here, you take on the role of a diplomat and negotiate global challenges, from human rights to environmental policy. You will learn how international politics really works and how to have a strong voice in a global context.
Leader:
Yannick Diemel
yannick.diemel@alea.school
Anna O’callaghan
anna.ocallaghan@alea.school
Costs:
Included in the ALEA SCHOOL fees
Both beginners and children with some experience of riding and horses can take part in this club. The aim of the riding club is to teach students not only how to ride, but also how to treat horses as living creatures correctly and thus build up a respectful and loving partnership. We offer individual and personal care for each child and varied lessons.
The riding club is based on the riding badges of the Icelandic Horse Association IPZV. The two-hour sessions include riding units, practical horse care and theory lessons.
Leader:
Kirsten Dzierzawa
IPZV Trainer B
API course instructor
API auditor
M.Sc. Psychology
Costs:
175€ / person (4 dates)
Shuttle from the ALEA SCHOOL to Steinau and back free of charge
Dear school community, dear ALEA SCHOOL family,
Dear future students and parents,
Welcome to the ALEA SCHOOL website - and to a place that wants to be more than just a school.
A living space is being created here. A place where people think, feel, laugh and, above all, create. A second home with heart and attitude.
On July 3, 2025, we celebrated the grand opening of our Lindenallee campus—with bright sunshine and faces that were just as bright. And as the doors of our building opened for the first time that day, one feeling in particular spread through the air: the feeling of having arrived.
Did you know that children and young people spend around a third of their waking hours at school? When you realize this, it becomes clear that school is much more than just a place of learning. It is a living space. A second home that leaves its mark. And we set out to create just such a place.
ALEA SCHOOL was born out of a vision—a vision that aims to provide children in the region and families who have moved here from abroad with a very special school profile and educational program. A school under construction that lets children help shape it. Which gives room to grow. It is supported by people with courage, enthusiasm, a pioneering spirit and genuine responsibility.
We owe the fact that this vision is a reality today to many people who have walked this path with us: our founding families, the first teaching staff, a great school team, strong partners and supporters, committed companions from politics and education as well as friends of ALEA SCHOOL who placed their trust in us - long before the first classroom was built.
And of course: our very first students.
You, dear clever foxes, are writing the first chapters of our school's history. You are the heart of this community.
After all, we are all curious, alert and ready to explore new paths. And we build our foxhole where it's alive: among dinosaurs, horses and insects - in the middle of the countryside, in the middle of life. This is a place made for children.
When you become part of ALEA SCHOOL - as a child, parent or colleague - you are not just choosing a school concept. You decide on an attitude: for genuine cooperation. For joint design. For a home that grows with you - day after day.
I am looking forward to the first very special school year 25/26 - the founding school year of ALEA - and to the fact that ALEA will always be a place where learning and laughter take place and where our children can grow in a protected environment.
So if you're looking for a school that thinks differently, then you've come to the right place.
Welcome to ALEA SCHOOL.
I look forward to seeing you.
Pauline Ponti
Principal of the ALEA SCHOOL
In principle, anyone can apply for a scholarship. The award committee will take various criteria into account when selecting the scholarship holders: First and foremost, the economic eligibility of an applicant family. This is based on the average household income (approx. €70,000) in the Main-Kinzig district and the applicant confirms that they have a lower household income. Voluntary commitment, special achievements or a particularly convincing application are also taken into account.
When applying for a scholarship, applicants must provide basic information, a letter of motivation and a letter of recommendation from a (class) teacher. After submission, the awarding committee will review the application and contact the applicants regarding the next steps.
At the present moment, two scholarship programs have already been confirmed.
Further scholarship programs are currently being developed.
There will be both full and partial scholarships. Depending on the type of scholarship, either all or part of the school fees will be covered by the scholarship. Both scholarship models cover tuition fees up to the 10th grade to the extent indicated.