JONAS JABLONSKIS GYMNASIUMThe history of Kaunas Jonas Jablonskis Gymnasium goes back to 1931 when a new primary school was built instead of an old wooden one. Future President Valdas Adamkus, a Member of Parliament Kazys Bobelis, Rector of Kaunas Magnus University Avižienis were among the first pupils of the school. Later when two annexes were added the school became one of the most distinguished of Kaunas Comprehensive Schools majoring in the English language. In 1995 it became Jonas Jablonskis Gymnasium with an international reputation.
The commitment and concern of the staff has built up a disciplined and caring gymnasium. We are fortunate in our teachers, in our parents and in our children. We are fortunate, also, in our site. The Gymnasium is on the hill in the very center of the city next to the newly restored Resurrection Church, it is easily accessible from all over the city.
The Gymnasium is committed to the welfare of each child and the development of each child's full potential. It encourages children to make their full contribution to gymnasium life. Its pupils have a record of achievement in every sphere of activity. As they grow up they send their own children to the gymnasium, which now serves its fourth generation. It continues to prepare pupils in every possible way to take a full role in a changing society. Jonas Jablonskis Gymnasium emphasis high academic standards. The staff expect and demand the highest standard of work and presentation throughout the gymnasium. The gymnasium places a high value on examination results. An exceptionally high percentage of its children, usually more than 95 percent, enter universities and colleges in this country and abroad.
There are 1150 pupils from 12 to 19 years old. The pupils are equally interested in exact sciences and humanities. Traditionally a strong emphasis is placed on studying the English language. All the pupils have chosen the extended course of English. Besides we teach English and American literature, Career, Economics in English, British Cultural Studies. Many of the activities of the pupils outside the classroom and school hours are connected with Sport, Drama, Music, and different projects. Our debaters (in English), public speakers (in English) have been winners of a number of tournaments and contests both in Lithuania and abroad. The best debaters as members of the Lithuanian team took part in the world Debate Championships in the USA, Great Britain, Singapore, South Africa and Germany. Two pupils represented Lithuania in the Public Speaking Championships in London.
An international project "We Must Not Forget It" was awarded an EU label last December. Drama composition " A Road to Auswitch" (in English) won the first prize in Lithuania. These are but a few achievements we can be proud of. The Gymnasium enjoys long-standing cooperation with The University of Minesota taking part at the ELTAP program (English Language Teaching Assistant Program).
There is much affection for and loyalty to the gymnasium by past students. They are frequent guests at the gymnasium, they come to coach our young debaters and share their experience. The former debaters are excellent ambassadors to the gymnasium, they organized Debate Clubs at the universities in Kaunas and Vilnius and we hear Tomas Dapkus, our former debater, on the radio every day.
It is not the first time that we have pupils from the USA or Canada studying in our gymnasium on the basis of the Rotary exchange program. They bring the authentic English to the classroom thus giving a chance to our pupils to develop their English speaking skills. Students, educators, officials from different countries visit the gymnasium quite often. In December 2005 we were asked to host and organize the Ceremony of Award of the Righteous of the World. His Excellency Ambassador of Israel was present at the Ceremony.
So Jonas Jablonskis Gymnasium is devoted to developing the best in each pupil, support the pupil's goals, encourage and inspire them in their academic achievements and out of class activities.
Jonas Jablonskis gymnasium's famous students:
The president of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus
Politics: Kazys Bobelis, Mindaugas Koncius, Regimantas Ciupaila
The signer of the declaration of independence Jonas Tamulis
The ambassador of Lithuania in Greece Vidmantas Pavilionis
Buisness attorney of Lithuania in Japan Dainius Kamaitis
Poet Violeta Palcinskaite
Writer Vytautas Macuika
Writer Anita Kapociute (Kapaciauskaite)
Professor Vytautas Ostaševicius
Composer Giedrius Kuprevicius
Sportsman Povilas Vanagas and etc
