Varvakeio Model Lyceum

Our school’s trajectory starts in 1824, when national benefactor Ioannis Varvakis bequeathed rubles to the State for the purpose of founding a school. The grounds of the school were allotted by Royal Decree (1856) in the centre of Athens and the building, which was called «Varvakeion», was completed in 1860. In 1886, “Varvakeion Practical Lyceum” was founded and soon the reputation of the school exceeded the boundaries of the capital. 1915-1919 marked the period of the school’s confiscation by the military, during which other Athenian schools hosted its students. In January 1921, Varvakeion Practical Lyceum was annexed to the Middle School Teaching Centre which assured the pedagogical competence of the teachers serving in similar schools. Following the reform of the educational system in 1929, two new schools were created and in 1930, the two separate schools were joined together as Varvakeion Model School of Middle Education, the name by which the school became known in later generations. Since the beginning of 1945, enrolment at the school was subject to the successful completion of a written and oral examination. In 1968 written entrance examinations were established for the selection of A class Gymnasium students at all subjects. In 1977, the written examinations were limited to two subjects: Mathematics and Composition. To the present day, the school has been characterized by its versatile educational directions. Educators and students alike participate in innovative activities and research project and excel at numerous student contests. Additionally, seminars and conferences are organized on a regular basis and there is on-going cooperation with university departments. Last but not least, the school has been twinned with the Classical Lyceum Pietro Giannone in Italy and Suzhou International Foreign Language School in the People’s Republic of China.