Real Gymnasium

The Real Gymnasium was a high school in Vilna where the main language of instruction was Yiddish.

Real Gymnasium Students posing at a YIVO exhibition on Jewish social movements

A physical training class at the Real Gymnasium school

Two students, one from the Real Gymnasium and the other from M'fitsey Haskole, surrounded by charts related
to their YIVO project on Yiddish terminology. (Center: charts with words related to shoes.)

M. Kahanowicz and two students, one from the Real Gymnasium and the other from M'fitsey Haskole, surrounded by charts related to their YIVO project on Yiddish terminology. (Center: charts with words related to shoes.)

The Mathematics-Sciences Gymnasium was the first Yiddish speaking high school in Vilna. Also called the Real Gymnasium, it opened in 1918 with about 300 children. The Real Gymnasium was part of the Tsentraler bildungs komitet (TsBK), the Central Education Committee. TsBK was the Vilna branch of the TSYSHO school system, which was supported by socialist political parties. The first graduation took place in 1923 with 55 graduates. By 1922-1923, there were 18 classes and 700 students.

The Republic of Poland was established in 1918. After that time, education was required and a new curriculum was developed. The subjects of Polish language and history were mandatory. Yiddish, Jewish history, and Hebrew were taught in addition to the regular studies prescribed by the Polish government. The school emphasized the creation of student clubs, and on self-government among the students.