北京市第一中学

In 1644, within the bustling heart of Beijing, a beacon of learning emerged: Beijing No. 1 Middle School. This institution, originally named Jingshan Huangqi Official School, has borne witness to centuries of change, echoing with the footsteps of scholars and revolutionaries alike. Beijing No. 1 Middle School stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of education. The school began as a place for the children of the Jingshan Huangqi banner. Over time, it transformed. It became the Jingzheng Academy, then the Zongxue Zhuoluo Eight Banners School, and later the Beijing Normal Municipal No. 1 Middle School. Finally, after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it received its current name. This venerable institution boasts a 362-year history, its stone monuments silently recounting tales of its vibrant past. Tucked away in the courtyard east of the auditorium, a stone archway stands frozen in time. Erected in 1894, it whispers stories of the school’s earliest days. Beijing No. 1 Middle School wasn’t just a place of study. It was a crucible of political activism. In 1926, Li Dazhao established a Communist Youth League branch within the school, making it one of the first schools in Beijing to embrace this revolutionary ideology. By the early 1930s, underground Communist Party organizations had taken root within the student body. The students of Beijing No. 1 Middle School were active participants in the March 18th Incident and the December 9th Movement, their voices rising in protest against injustice. Among these student activists were figures like Qi Yanming and Liu Baiyu, whose youthful idealism would later shape the nation’s destiny. During the Korean War, students from Beijing No. 1 Middle School answered the call to arms, joining the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army to defend their nation. The echoes of their bravery still resonate within the school’s walls. The school has nurtured generations of influential figures. Lao She, the renowned writer, and Xie Guoren, the distinguished historian, both graced its classrooms as teachers. Its alumni include notable figures like Jian Youwen, Liu Baiyu, Xu Jiayu, Qiang Wei, Li Zhisheng, and Li Shulin. They stand as testaments to the school’s enduring legacy. Today, Beijing No. 1 Middle School continues to uphold its motto: “Diligence, Harmony, Practicality, Innovation.” It strives to provide a well-rounded education, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of social responsibility. The school’s long history, woven with threads of scholarship, revolution, and resilience, makes it a truly unique landmark in the heart of Beijing.