Amsterdams Lyceum
Encyclopedia
Het Amsterdams Lyceum is a Dutch secondary school
combining a gymasium
and Atheneum. It was established in 1917. Het Amsterdams Lyceum has around 1000 students, most of whom are from Amsterdam, but increasing numbers from outer municipalities like Amstelveen
, Zaandam
, Landsmeer
and Monnickendam find their way to this school.
until 1952. The building has been in operation since 1920, it was designed by the Dutch Architect H.A.J. Baanders
and built in the architectural style of the Amsterdamse school
. The windows were painted by artist R.N. Roland Holst and the building is an official historic site and city monument.
Dr. Gunning believed that school was more than just a place to obtain a diploma, many extra-curricular activities were initiated and in 1931 the school bought a private recreational retreat in the southeast Netherlands; Wolkenland. Every class would spend one week a year there working on alternative projects and assignments.
During the second world war the Nazis appropriated the building, using the classrooms as barracks and the Rector's house as an officers' mess. On top of this, Dr. Gunning was an outspoken objector to the deportation of students. His protest meant that he was fired, arrested and imprisoned in Camp Amersfoort in Januari 1942. The school lost 95 (former) students during this period, every April a ceremony takes place to commemorate this loss.
, Corso Italiano to Florence
and Trayecto Espanol to Granada
.
In the fifth year the whole class goes to Rome
. This is a 20-year old tradition. In Amsterdam gymnasium schools visit Rome with the entire fifth year but the Amsterdams Lyceum goes with 120 students, also the athenaeum students, who do not follow the gymnasium course.
In the last year of high school there are eight international exchanges with schools in other countries. Those schools first visit the Amsterdams Lyceum before the students of the Dutch school visit them. The time span of those exchanges is usually 8 or 10 days. The options are Venice
, South Africa
, Israel
, St. Petersburg, Sevilla, New York
, Prague
and Iceland
.
. The Vondelpark
is adjected to the museum district. The students of the Amsterdams Lyceum go there often to relax, eat and play football.
In Oud-Zuid there are more schools. Most of those schools have the highest education system of Holland just as the Amsterdams lyceum, VWO
. Hervormd Lyceum Zuid, Ignatius Lyceum, Vossius Lyceum, Gerrit van de Veen and Vons Vitae Lyceum are all in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid.
The Amsterdams Lyceum also has a rowing club, De Drietand. A video, photo and drawingclub.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
combining a gymasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
and Atheneum. It was established in 1917. Het Amsterdams Lyceum has around 1000 students, most of whom are from Amsterdam, but increasing numbers from outer municipalities like Amstelveen
Amstelveen
' is a suburban municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is part of the metropolitan area of Amsterdam. The municipality of Amstelveen consists of the following villages and/or districts: Amstelveen, Bovenkerk, Westwijk, Bankras-Kostverloren, Groenelaan, Waardhuizen,...
, Zaandam
Zaandam
Zaandam is a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is the main city of the municipality of Zaanstad, and received city rights in 1811...
, Landsmeer
Landsmeer
Landsmeer is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland.-Population centres :The municipality of Landsmeer consists of the three villages: Den Ilp, Landsmeer, Purmerland.- Local government :...
and Monnickendam find their way to this school.
History
Het Amsterdams Lyceum is the oldest lyceum of the Netherlands. Is was founded in 1917 by Dr. C. P. Gunning (1886-1960) who remained rectorRector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
until 1952. The building has been in operation since 1920, it was designed by the Dutch Architect H.A.J. Baanders
Herman Ambrosius Jan Baanders
Herman Ambrosius Jan Baanders , also known by his initials as H.A.J. Baanders, was a Dutch architect, designer and entrepreneur who was active in the Amsterdamse School style of architecture...
and built in the architectural style of the Amsterdamse school
Amsterdam School
The Amsterdam School is a style of architecture that arose from 1910 through about 1930 in The Netherlands...
. The windows were painted by artist R.N. Roland Holst and the building is an official historic site and city monument.
Dr. Gunning believed that school was more than just a place to obtain a diploma, many extra-curricular activities were initiated and in 1931 the school bought a private recreational retreat in the southeast Netherlands; Wolkenland. Every class would spend one week a year there working on alternative projects and assignments.
During the second world war the Nazis appropriated the building, using the classrooms as barracks and the Rector's house as an officers' mess. On top of this, Dr. Gunning was an outspoken objector to the deportation of students. His protest meant that he was fired, arrested and imprisoned in Camp Amersfoort in Januari 1942. The school lost 95 (former) students during this period, every April a ceremony takes place to commemorate this loss.
Intensified Language Courses
At Het Amsterdams Lyceum students can work their way through various optional intensified language courses. Trayecto Espanol, Corso Italiano and Fast Lane English. The latter course leads up to the Certificate in Advanced English in year 5 and the Certificate of Proficiency in English in year 6.Foreign Exchanges
The Amsterdams Lyceum is famous for its foreign trips and exchanges. Besides Wolkenland the students go to other countries in their last three years of school. With Trayecto Espanol, Corso Italiano and Fast Lane English you are expected to visit the country corresponding to the language you study. This takes place in the fourth year of high school. Fast Lane students travel to LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Corso Italiano to Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
and Trayecto Espanol to Granada
Granada
Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
.
In the fifth year the whole class goes to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. This is a 20-year old tradition. In Amsterdam gymnasium schools visit Rome with the entire fifth year but the Amsterdams Lyceum goes with 120 students, also the athenaeum students, who do not follow the gymnasium course.
In the last year of high school there are eight international exchanges with schools in other countries. Those schools first visit the Amsterdams Lyceum before the students of the Dutch school visit them. The time span of those exchanges is usually 8 or 10 days. The options are Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, St. Petersburg, Sevilla, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
The neighbourhood
The Amsterdams lyceum is located in a suburb of Amsterdam called Oud-Zuid. Lots of families with little children live there and famous Dutch actors and writers. That area of Amsterdam is below the centrum, a 5 minute ride to the canals and Red Light District. The school is in the museum area of Amsterdam with the Van Gogh Museum, Rijks Museum and the ConcertgebouwConcertgebouw
The Concertgebouw is a concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Dutch term "concertgebouw" literally translates into English as "concert building"...
. The Vondelpark
Vondelpark
The Vondelpark is a public urban park of 47 hectares in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is located in the stadsdeel Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, west from the Leidseplein and the Museumplein. The park was opened in 1865 and originally named the "Nieuwe Park", but later renamed to "Vondelpark", after the 17th...
is adjected to the museum district. The students of the Amsterdams Lyceum go there often to relax, eat and play football.
In Oud-Zuid there are more schools. Most of those schools have the highest education system of Holland just as the Amsterdams lyceum, VWO
VWO
VWO may refer to:* Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock ETF, an exchange-traded fund with ticker symbol VWO* Vlaamse Wiskunde Olympiade* Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs a Dutch schoolsystem...
. Hervormd Lyceum Zuid, Ignatius Lyceum, Vossius Lyceum, Gerrit van de Veen and Vons Vitae Lyceum are all in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid.
Clubs
The Amsterdams Lyceum has a lot of clubs organized by the school. Every student no matter what age is allowed to participate in those activities. Auditions are only required at the dance and theater club. After three years at the theaterclub a certificate is handed out to you, and with that certificate the chance of being accepted to a professional art school is very big. Every year there is a theater week of dancing, singing and acting where teachers and the other students of The Amsterdams Lyceum view the performances.The Amsterdams Lyceum also has a rowing club, De Drietand. A video, photo and drawingclub.