Gymnázium J. Seiferta, named after the renowned Czech writer and Nobel prize winner for literature, professes the ideals embodied by this poet and humanist.. We were established in 1991, by Mrs. Pavla Holasova, as the second private grammar school in Prague (referred to as a 'Gymnazium' in Czech). Mrs. Holasova has continued her involvement with the school and has served as our headmistress since 1991.
Our school's syllabus reflects the importance of education and our dedication to providing our students with the best possible tools to continue on to university and later a career. The eight-year program is divided into two parts: during the first six years, our students complete a comprehensive curriculum (equivalent to secondary school). In the seventh year, there is a considerable increase in optional courses, while the eighth year is structured as a special preparatory course required for university entrance examinations.
Our pleasant working atmosphere is recalled and cherished by our teachers, students, and even by our graduates. One example of this is our graduation dancing ball, where the youngest pupils are officially welcomed and integrated into our school, while the oldest ones say their farewells. It is also an occasion for teachers to meet with their former students and have a chat.
Class sizes at GJS are small, a fact for which we are well-known. The average number of pupils in foreign language lessons, PE, computing and some other lessons is twelve. All other lessons contain a maximum of twenty-four students.
Our language curriculum is especially important and is designed to meet the requirements of today's global and highly technological world. English is mandatory throughout the eight years and an additional foreign language is compulsory from the third year on. Pupils have the option of choosing from German, French or Spanish and later, they have the possibility to add Russian or Latin to their languages studies. Unlike some other secondary schools, we have had the tradition of employing native speakers of English since the foundation of our school.
Our school has established relationships with like-minded grammar schools in Brecon (Wales), and in Parsberg (Germany). In addition, we are the only Czech school participating in the Pan European Education Project ( PEEP), which allows our pupils not only to travel all over Europe, but also to use English for presentations and discussions that focus on interesting topics. Some of the English visitors commented on the exchange programmes with these words:
"The professional satisfaction of seeing young people taking the germ of an idea and turning it into something very special, and of watching some quite nervous and apprehensive students growing in confidence and stature as the project evolved. Real education. It was a privilege to be involved." (Pete Brown, teacher)
"This experience truly awakened me to the importance of language learning, although all the countries spoke outstanding English, they all had their own language, and for me, being in a country for the first time where the mother tongue isn't English, found this to be a true eye-opener." (Sarah Spackman, student)
Apart from the foreign exchange programmes, our school offers a wide range of other activities. At the end of each school year, we organize school retreats in the Czech Republic and abroad in order to get to know each other better and foster a sense of community between the students and the teachers. Furthermore, our pupils can take part in one-week skiing and athletics courses as well as annual educational trips to Italy or France. Many of them also participate in floorball and other sports tournaments.
Our extracurricular activities, such as drama and art, are offered to students after-hours or during their free periods at school. We have gained a reputation for excellence, particularly in drama, and have participated in many different theatre competitions and festivals, where we have been awarded several prizes. In addition, we organized a drama festival, involving other schools in Prague, to be performed in one of Prague's beautiful theatres. True to our commitment to language, we perform plays in Czech and the foreign languages taught at our school. Students from Parsberg who took part in an exchange programme with our school were nicely surprised when they saw the fairy tale "When Salt is More Precious Than Gold" performed in German. Our music teacher specializes in classical music, with an emphasis on opera. He has already composed three children's operas for our pupils, including Magdalena and Desdemona. Every year before Christmas, you can hear pupils practicing the beautiful music of the Czech Christmas Mass by J. J. Ryba during their music lessons. We then perform all over Prague in different churches.
Once a week, our school is visited by a psychologist who is on call and available to both our students and teachers. It is our hope that everyone take advantage of this opportunity to discuss problems with someone who is trained and capable of providing assistance.
Last but not least, we are proud of our school cafeteria which serves international and traditional Czech dishes. It is appreciated both by the staff and by our pupils.
Our school budget is supported by three different sources: school fees, state allowances and sponsorships. We believe that all our students are gifted in some way, but we also seek exceptional students to whom we can offer scholarships.
Gymnázium J. Seiferta o.p.s.
Vysocanské nám. 500
190 00 Praha 9
Czech Republic
Contact us here.