Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic Opened 1939 (current school) Headmaster Titusz Hardi OSB Founded 996 AD | Established AD 996 Oversight Pannonhalma Archabbey Phone +36 96 570 140 | |
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Type Independent gimnázium
Boarding school Address Pannonhalma, Vár 1, 9090 Hungary Profiles | ||
The Benedictine High School of Pannonhalma (Hungarian: Pannonhalmi Bencés Gimnázium és Kollégium) is an independent Roman Catholic boarding school for boys, one of the most distinguished secondary schools in Hungary, led by and situated next to the thousand-year-old Pannonhalma Benedictine Archabbey above Pannonhalma, Győr-Moson-Sopron county. Founded during the late 10th century, it is one of the oldest schools in both Eastern Europe and the world.
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History
Education began soon after the foundation of the abbey in 996, so this date can be regarded as the beginning of school education in Hungary. Education was ended by the Turkish invasion in the middle of the 16th century, but it was started again in 1690, to teach would-be monks beyond high school. The Benedictine order was dissolved in 1786 by Joseph II; however it was re-established in 1802, when the school was also begun again. From 1919, the leadership of the abbey wanted to open a boarding school, and this was established in 1921 with 22 boys. In 1932, however, due to the economic depression, it had to be closed. It re-opened in its present form in 1939 as an "Italian" high school, with emphasis on the Italian language and culture. By this year, it received separate buildings for the education and the dormitories, which are still in use. In 1948 the school was brought under State control and was reopened in 1950. It was among the few Catholic schools which didn't cease functioning, even in the Socialist era, which ended in 1989. The school traditionally attracted scions of the Hungarian noble families (e.g. Crouy-Chanel, Cseszneky, Erdődy, Forgách, Zichy). Under the 1995 renovations the high school was completely renewed.
Today
Although it is a prestigious school, usually among the top five of Hungary (cf. Public school (UK)), only a small tuition fee is required, in accordance with one's means. Today there are about 300 students studying here for four or six years (from the age of 12 or 14), until the maturity examination certificate at the age of 18. There are usually two classes in every year, each with 30-40 people.
Students are allowed to choose between German and English, and between Italian, French and Latin (they may take up further languages as well). Specialization is possible from the age of 16 in any two subjects. Approximately half the teachers are monks, and the other half is lay (men and women). There are several study circles available for the students, and they may see movies in the school twice a week (usually an art film on Wednesday and a popular film on Saturday). Students live in dormitories of 30 until the age of 16, and in rooms of 4 (sometimes 2) persons during the last two years.