to take a stand against Apartheid, the German Government insisted on the enrolment of non-white learners at the DSJ. In 1989 the New Secondary School stream was launched (originally known as ‘F-Zweig and today NSek), which allowed learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity of a private school education without the financial burdens. The first NSek learners completed their matric in 1996 and their Abitur in 1997. 21st century After 26 years, the Abitur was reduced from 13 years to 12 years for German schools in Southern Africa. From 2009 onwards, graduates would finish with a combined National Senior Certificate (NSC) and the German International Abitir (DIA). After a week of intense scrutiny, the DSJ was awarded the status of ‘Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule’ in 2011, a seal of quality introduced by the German Federal Office of Administration which serves as the quality assurance and stands for quality development for German schools abroad. In 2012, the opening of a Regentröpchen occurred (meaning that the DSJ caters for all learners from age 1 to Matric) along with the first Grade 8 class of the English Medium High School. In 2016 the learners of this first class completed their school careers at the DSJ. 2015 marked a historic moment for the Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg. The oldest co-educational school in Johannesburg celebrated its 125 year anniversary which was highlighted by a Festival Week in September 2015. In 2016 the DSJ was voted best International German school outside of Germany in Der Deutsche Schulpreis award. References External links Official DSJ Website International schools in Johannesburg Johannesburg High schools in South Africa Educational institutions established in 1890 1890s establishments in South Africa