Boarding School

Thanks to excellent preparation: Thumbs up for the high school graduation at Steinmühle Boarding School

Hooray, we’ve finally done it! All high school seniors at Steinmühle Boarding School have passed their Abitur exams. After written exams, presentation exams, and oral exams, the Class of 2026 at Steinmühle Boarding School has also successfully completed their Abitur.

The students at the Steinmühle boarding school were able to prepare for the Abitur and its requirements in a particularly intensive way.

“It all started at the end of January,” says Patric Hahn, director of the learning center. A weekly math prep course began, and the students went over and worked through the problems.

As the exams drew nearer, the intensity increased

The intensity of our preparation increased as the written Abitur exams drew nearer.

Many students took chemistry, so there was a chemistry workshop. The international students received extra support in German.

Other subjects in which students might have needed support for the Abitur included politics, history, ethics, and physical education. Patric Hahn: “We took a close look at who still had minor gaps in specific areas, or who was simply feeling uncertain due to nerves.”

The last week of Easter break was devoted to intensive review

For over four years now, the last week of the Easter break has regularly been turned into an intensive preparation week at Steinmühle Boarding School. “During this time, we’re always a real study camp,” recalls Patric Hahn. This year, 14 boarding school students started the day at 9 a.m. with breakfast together, during which they planned the day: a morning session until 1:30 p.m., an afternoon session, and a group barbecue in the evening.

“It’s important to be selective: Who learns what?” explains the head of the learning center. The written subjects were predetermined from the outset. After the Easter break, one or two additional weekly sessions were held in parallel for these subjects. On May 6, the written high school graduation exams in math took place. Supplementary support sessions for this subject provided a safety net for any questions that might arise.

High-level professional exchange

For the presentation exams, every student at the Steinmühle boarding school had at least two preparation sessions; for the oral Abitur exam, they had at least one.

“It’s always a high-level professional exchange on all topics that may be relevant.”

In this way, Steinmühle Boarding School ensures that all students in the graduating class achieve the best possible results.

Patric Hahn: “We will continue to offer this as part of our structure.”

(Angela Heinemann)

18. June 2026

Beaming Faces on the First Lap: Young Riders from Steinmühlen Follow in Their Mothers’ Footsteps

Boarding School, News, Sports

It was literally all sunshine and roses! After all, having the same riding instructor as her mother Katharina Eitel once did—that’s certainly not something you see every day. She knew right away that her children, Karl-Friedrich Eitel (5) and Carlotta Eitel (4), were in the best of hands with Beate Schridde, director of the riding school and stables at the Steinmühle School & Boarding School. The A-licensed trainer even made it possible for the youngest children to participate in the dressage competition hosted by the Weißer Stein Riding and Driving Club (RFV): The logo-embroidered saddle pad was placed on the Steinmühle school horse, the saddle neatly set in place—and off they went, after a manageable number of practice sessions, to the lead-rein competition, their first step into competitive riding.

From Fun to Performance

“It’s amazing how quickly the little ones have come to trust her,” said Katharina Eitel, delighted with the success that resulted from the approach taken by experienced riding instructor Beate Schridde. Schridde knows: “That’s how you turn fun into achievement.”

The older riders, such as Maya Sophie Mey, Elise Backes, and Zoe Miltscheff-Petroff—the daughter of Manuel Miltscheff-Petroff, the president of the Steinmühle Riding Club—have enjoyed success on more than one occasion. They performed very well at the tournament and were able to gain further valuable experience at the same time.

Excellent results

Elise Backes competed in the basic riding competition in her division and was evaluated on her walk, trot, and canter, achieving very good results. Zoe Miltscheff-Petroff also delivered excellent performances. These very good results were all the more impressive given that the competition took place near a tennis tournament that was in full swing. Neither the horses nor the riders were distracted by the sound of balls hitting the court, the noise of the game, or the occasional shouts from the players. Beate Schridde: “For horses, which are flight animals, this is sometimes a reason to run away, but everyone was completely relaxed.”

Horseback Riding at Steinmühle Boarding School

“Relaxed” is also the keyword for the equestrian future of all students who ride or would like to learn to ride at Steinmühle School & Boarding School. Our network is extensive, and word gets around when good work is done. That’s why boarding students who love riding—whether they have their own horse or not—are welcome at Steinmühle. It’s a place where not only girls but also boys feel right at home on horseback.

Little Karl-Friedrich Eitel shows us how it’s done.

(Angela Heinemann)