Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb

Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb Klasična gimnazija u Zagrebu Gymnasium Classicum Zagrabiense
Patria, Humanitas, Officium, Fides
Location
4a Križanićeva Street Zagreb, Croatia
Coordinates	45°48′30″N 15°59′12″E
Information
Type	Public
Religious affiliation(s)	Catholic
Established	1607
Age range	aged 15 do 19
Enrollment	around 500
Language	Croatian
Song	Gaudeamus
Nickname	"Klasična"
Information	+385 1 4611-718
Website	Klasična gimnazija

The Classical Gymnasium (Croatian: Klasična gimnazija) in Zagreb is the home of the oldest high schools (a gymnasium, to be precise) in Croatia and southeastern 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".

Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb

Programme

The programme, lasting 4 years, is based on merging the classical education, with emphasis on humanities (namely languages including Latin and Greek, philosophy, literature, history, fine arts, music and theatre) with sciences and a vast choice of extracurricular activities.

Pupils must study Latin, Greek, Croatian language and Croatian and World literature, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Fine Arts, Music, two foreign languages, Philosophy, Logic, Politics and Economy, Sociology, Psychology and attend compulsory exercise classes. They are free to choose additional subjects such as Religious studies, Ethics, additional foreign languages and more. Due to a vast curriculum, the school was known to have additional classes on altenaSaturdays.

Although originally following a Christian educational model, today's school is a 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 Centre, but it preserved its spirit and the classical program (both Latin and Greek language).

Damage during the war

The school was bombed on May 2, 1995 during the bombing of Zagreb in the Croatian War of Independence. The damage was soon repaired and the school resumed its work.

Anniversary opening celebration

400th Anniversary

During the 2006/2007 school year, the school is celebrating its 400th year anniversary with a series of educational, historical, and entertaining festivities which include numerous symposia and speeches, but also big student manifestations which included charity rock concerts, 3 Greek plays, open days and many others.