Gymnasium (school)

: For the type of building, see: Gym

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A gymnasium is a type of school of secondary education in parts of Europe. The word "?????????" (gymnasion) was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men (see gymnasium (ancient Greece)).

Related Topics:
Secondary education - Europe - Ancient Greece - Education - Gymnasium (ancient Greece)

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In the German-speaking, the Scandinavian and the Benelux countries gymnasium has, at least since the protestant reformation in the 16th century, had the meaning of a secondary school preparing for higher education at university. They are thus meant for the more academically-minded students, who are sifted out at about the age of 10–13. In addition to the usual curriculum, students of a gymnasium often learn Latin and Greek.

Related Topics:
German-speaking - Scandinavia - Benelux - Protestant reformation - 16th century - Higher education - University - Latin - Greek

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Some gymnasiums provide general education, others have a specific focus. (This also differs from country to country.) The three traditional branches are:

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• humanistic education (specialising in ancient languages, like Latin and Greek)
• modern languages
• mathematical-scientific education

Nowadays a number of other areas of specialisation exist, like gymnasiums specialising in art or sports.

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In some countries, there is a notion of progymnasium, which is equivalent to beginning classes of the full gymnasium, with the rights to continue education in a gymnasium. Here, the prefix "pro" means "instead of".

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In Italy, the first two years of high school are called Gymnasium if the high school chosen is a classical lyceum (a particular secondary school focusing on Latin and Greek as well as literature).

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Gymnasium (school): Countries with gymnasium schools ►