Wilhelmsgymnasium (Munich)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Wilhelmsgymnasium of Munich is a school of secondary education. It is very famous for various reasons: it is the oldest grammar school in Munich; it had several famous (and infamous) students; since 2004 it has been the only school in Bavaria that can claim to be a "Humanistisches Gymnasium"; and the the level of education in this school is very good (according to the year book 2006 the students were best of all in Bavaria in the graduation exam Abitur.

It calls itself a "Humanistisches Gymnasium", as it focuses on the Classics: each of the approximately 600 students will need to study Latin, English, and Ancient Greek.

The Gymnasium was founded in 1559 by Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria as a "Paedagogium", but was renamed in 1849 after its probable sponsor, Duke Wilhelm V. By 1773, the Gymnasium was under Jesuit direction ("Jesuit Gymnasium"). The present building at Thierschstraße (corner of Maximilianstraße) was erected in 1879 in Neorenaissance style.