Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb

Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb Klasična gimnazija u Zagrebu Gymnasium Classicum Zagrabiense
File:Zagrebgymnasiumcoat.jpg Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb Patria, Humanitas, Officium, Fides
Location
4a Križanićeva Street Zagreb Croatia
Coordinates
Information
Type	Public
Religious affiliation(s)	Catholic
Established	1607
Age range	aged 15 to 19
Enrollment	around 500
Language	Croatian
Song	Gaudeamus
Nickname	"Klasična"
Information	+385 1 4611-718
Website	www.gimnazija-klasicna-zg.skole.hr

The Classical Gymnasium (Croatian: Klasična gimnazija) in Zagreb is the home of the oldest high schools (a gymnasium, to be precise) in Croatia and south-eastern Europe. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1607 and hasn't stopped working since. In its first year of work, it had 260 students, and it operated on the basis of the Jesuit programme "Ratio atque institutio studiorum societatis Jesu".

File:Klasicnagimnazija.jpg

Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb

Programme

The program, lasting four years, is based on combining classical education, with emphasis on humanities (namely languages including Latin and Ancient Greek, philosophy, literature, history, fine arts, music and theatre) with sciences and a vast choice of extracurricular activities.

Pupils must study five languages: Latin, Ancient Greek, Croatian, English and one additional foreign language. They also must study Croatian and World Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, IT, History, Fine Arts, Music, Philosophy, Logic, Politics and Economy, Sociology, Psychology and attend compulsory exercise classes. Most of these subjects are thought for 4 years. Pupils are free to choose additional subjects on top of above listed compulsory ones, such as Religious studies, Ethics, additional foreign languages and more. Due to a vast curriculum, the school was known to have additional classes on alternate Saturdays. A considerable number of pupils take on extra-curricular activities as well which include ancient drama, choir singing, pottery, educational travel, public speaking and more. The school's drama group stages one classic ancient play each year which usually premières in a Zagreb theatre around the day of the school.

Although originally following a Christian educational model, today's school is a completely secular institution comparable to English grammar schools. During the communist Yugoslav regime, in 1977 the name "gymnasium" was banned and the school became the Educational Language Center, but it preserved its spirit and the classical programme (including tuition of Latin and Greek languages).

Damage during the war

The school's back yard was bombed on 2 May 1995 during the rocket attack on Zagreb in the Croatian War of Independence. The attack occurred during class-time which prevented many casualties which would have occurred had it been break-time, during which students roam the back yard in warm May days. The damage was soon repaired.

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Anniversary opening celebration

400th Anniversary

During the 2006/2007 school year, the school celebrated its 400th year anniversary with a series of educational, historical, and entertaining festivities which include numerous symposia and speeches, and also big student manifestations which included charity rock concerts, three Greek plays and open days.

Sources

• Povijest (Croatian)

External links

• Official website