Sturm, John

John (1507-1589), a German educator. He was born at Schleiden, Prussia, and received his degree at the University of Paris. Sturm was for forty years director of the gymnasium at Strasburg. He organized his students into twelve classes or grades--a plan subsequently followed by the best schools of Europe. The gradation of students in the American high school and academy may be traced to Sturm. In church matters Sturm was a follower of Martin Luther.