Matematička gimnazija
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Matematička gimnazija (Serbian Cyrillic: Математичка гимназија, English: Mathematical Gymnasium) is a specialised high school for mathematics in Belgrade, Serbia. Located on Kraljice Natalije Street, the school is famous for its advanced educational program that earned it an esteemed reputation as the breeding ground for future scientists, researchers, and industry leaders.
Though a part of Serbian state education system, the school stands out with a different curriculum, focusing on natural sciences, especially mathematics, physics, and computer programming. Due to additional sources of funding, physics and computer labs in the school are much better equipped than those in the rest of the state-funded high schools throughout Serbia. Experimental teaching methods and programs are common in the school, and many classes are taught by University of Belgrade professors from the Faculty of Mathematics or Faculty of Electrical Engineering. In the current school staff, 16 teachers hold PhD degrees, and 12 either MS or Ma degrees.
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[edit] History
In 1977, as part of a state-wide education reform, the school was merged into the streamlined secondary education (srednje usmereno obrazovanje), thus cancelling any specifics and advantages over other high schools. Eleven years later, in 1988, the school was re-established as a specialized experimental education institution. The ‘experimental status’ finally concluded in 1995, when the school was recognised as a "Specialized school for talented students in mathematics, informatics, and natural sciences" by the Serbian Ministry of Education. At the same time, the school was given the status of a ‘school of special national importance’, as the first school of its kind in FR Yugoslavia.
Although Matematička gimnazija is classified as a high-school (grades nine to twelve in the Serbian education system), it started enrolling experimental classes of the seventh grade elementary school in 2004.
[edit] List of School principals
| Year | Principal |
| 1966-1968 | Ranko Radovanović |
| 1968-1970 | Dušan Adnađević |
| 1971-2001 | Milan Raspopović |
| 2001-2004 | Ljubomir Protić |
| 2004-2008 | Vladimir Dragović |
| 2008- | Srđan Ognjanović |
[edit] Competitions
The school prides itself on the success of its students in various science competitions, and takes special care in preparing students for national and international competitions. According to the school web site, its students have won 81 medals at the international Olympiads in Mathematics, 16 medals at Olympiads in Physics, 20 awards at Olympiads in Informatics and 16 medals in Astronomy, and 7 medals in Science and numerous other awards in regional competitions [1].
From about 7500 graduates in the 40-year history of this school, 250 have obtained PhD degrees and 400 have obtained MS degrees [2].
[edit] Today
Matematička gimnazija has built a reputation as an elite school during the 1990s, which led to increased number of candidates applying every year. Eventually the number of applicants far outnumbered the number of available spaces, which led to concerns and speculation about bribes and pay-offs taking place to influence the enrollment process. Although no wrong-doing was ever proven, special classes were introduced in 1997 for students who didn't manage to pass the enrollment exam in 1997, but were willing and able to pay for their education. This practice has continued since, enabling the school to keep its high teaching standards through budget improvements.
The school currently has five high-school grades (nine to thirteen), and two elementary-school grades (seven and eight). Due to recent parent complaints, all six high-school classes are now financed by the state.
To successfully enroll in the high school classes, candidates have to pass a special mathematics entrance exam, different from the state-wide high-school mathematics entrance exam. Candidates are ranked according to the total score that combines entrance exam results (maximum of 120 points) and performance from previous elementary-school grades (maximum of 60 points). Preference is given to outstanding achievers on competitions and recipients of national prizes during the previous year of their education.
State-controlled education in Serbia is free, so there are no official enrollment fees except the exam costs. The ranking process for candidates enrolling in the elementary school classes is similar, with mathematics entrance exam (max. 80 points), performance from the fifth and sixth grades (max. 20 points) and awards from state mathematics competitions (40 points).
[edit] Contact information
Address: Matematička Gimnazija, Kraljice Natalije 37, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
