Haapsalu Gümnaasium, Estonia
Map Location of Haapsalu Gümnaasium, EE
Haapsalu Gümnaasium was established 87 years ago, in 1918 just few months after the Republic of Estonia was born.
HG is a comprehension school with 855 students and almost 70 teachers (only 14 of them are male). Our school is divided into three levels – elementary (students aged 7-11), basic level (11-16) and upper secondary level – gymnasium (16-19). Besides these levels there are also special classes of remedial education for mentally disabled students.
Our “new” schoolhouse was built in 1963. By now it has become far too small for this large number of students and that is the reason for still having a so-called ”evening shift” for the 3rd and 4th grade children. There are 41 classrooms, two sports halls, a lunchroom for 120 students, an assembly hall and a hostel for 82 students.
Major reconstruction works were completed two years ago and several new class-rooms for language studies were added. The library moved from the basement to new, larger and much brighter rooms. Thank to the new building we have now one of the best-equipped classrooms of Lääne County for domestic studies. And one should not forget a lecture hall for 70 people, which is also used as a music class.
The aim of our school has always been to give traditional high level education and prepare those who really want it for universities. Besides regular subjects, which are taught nation wide more emphasise is put on languages (English, Russian, German). For almost 10 years our high school students have had an opportunity to study German more thoroughly and take a special exam which enables them to enter any university in Germany. Our students have been rather successful at state exams for many years. A place among top 25 high school of Estonia is a proof of that.
This school year offers a new option for those who are interested in media and movie making. A bright new well-equipped studio was opened in September.
Computers and computer study have become a natural part of any school in Estonia. There are more than 60 computers in our school, 32 of them for students. This is not enough and the school is working on several projects to provide both the teachers and students with new and better ones.
School is not only for hard work and studies but also for fun and after school activities. It is a tradition to have the first assembly of every new school year in the schoolyard. Teacher’s Day is organised by the 12th graders, every year it is different and full of surprises for the teachers. Freshman’s Week for the 10th graders should help them to acclimatise with their new status. Before Christmas school’s birthday is celebrated with assembly concert and several exhibitions. Every five years there is a Homecoming Day for the graduates and ex-teachers. Christmas Dinner and carol singing in the assembly hall for the 12th graders, teachers and ex-teachers finishes the autumn semester. In spring A School Girl Contest “What Schoolgirl?”, which is not a common beauty contest but rather a contest for most active schoolgirls, is held. There is also Shrove Tuesday with various competitions outside the schoolhouse, in snow. The of different activities is much longer.
Our school is known in the town as a “study based school” – the nickname might sound impudent but we are happy to have the image and proud of our students.