As the first anniversary of the 2025 shooting at the BORG Dreierschützengasse in Graz approaches on June 10, 2026, the school community is preparing for a quiet, private commemoration. Following a year of intense recovery, officials from the regional education board and the school have confirmed that renovation work is on schedule, with plans to return all classes to the school building this autumn.
Did You Know? During the past year, the school community utilized more than 1,000 individual sessions of psychological support, with a dedicated team remaining on-site to assist both students and faculty in navigating the aftermath of the tragedy.
Moving Toward a New Normal
Education authorities, including Bildungsdirektorin Elisabeth Meixner and Land Steiermark representative Stefan Hermann (FPÖ), held a press conference on June 8, 2026, to outline the transition. The goal is to establish a “new normal” rather than a simple return to the past. According to Meixner, the school year has been defined by a focus on protective structures, careful guidance, and the stabilization of daily routines.
Students and staff have been operating out of a building provided by the technology company AVL, but this arrangement is set to conclude. The renovation schedule is phased, with upper-floor areas expected to be ready for use between June and mid-August, ensuring full occupancy by the start of the autumn term.
Community and Support Structures
The school’s recovery has been marked by a collaborative effort between the administration, parents, and students. Mirza Candic, head of the parents’ association, noted that returning to a standard daily routine was a significant challenge, yet one that has been largely successful. Despite the loss of four students in the attack, the school’s choir project has been successfully restarted.
Expert Insight: The transition from immediate crisis management to long-term structural recovery often involves a delicate balance between public accountability and the private needs of the survivors. By limiting the scope of public memorialization and focusing on the internal needs of the students, the administration is prioritizing psychological stability over the demands of the public eye, a common but difficult path in the wake of school-based violence.
What Happens Next
Following the autumn reopening, the school plans to establish a dedicated memorial room as a final step in the physical restoration of the campus. Beyond the school walls, Landesrat Stefan Hermann announced that a new coordination center for support services will be installed at the Kinder- und Jugendanwaltschaft. This office is intended to serve as a central hub for students, parents, and educators, integrating both school-based and external resources.
The Beirat für Gewaltprävention, an advisory board focused on violence prevention, continues to meet periodically to review safety measures. Further details regarding a comprehensive security concept for the school are expected to be refined as the site returns to full operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a large public memorial on the anniversary?
No. At the request of the victims’ families and the students, the school is avoiding a “large stage” and will hold only a small, private commemoration without public access or media presence.
How has the school handled student performance during this period?
Performance assessments were suspended until the autumn of 2025. Since then, students have demonstrated the ability to meet previous academic standards, including those required for their Matura examinations.
What is the status of the school’s renovation?
The renovation is on track. Different areas of the building are scheduled for completion by June 19, July 10, and August 14, allowing all classes to return to the BORG Dreierschützengasse at the start of the autumn semester.
How can the broader community best respect the school’s request for privacy during this difficult time of remembrance?
