XI Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Mikołaja Reja

From whispers to reality, the XI Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Mikołaja Reja stands as a testament to perseverance. It’s not just a building; it’s a phoenix, reborn from the ashes of war and political upheaval. The XI Liceum’s story begins in 1905, amidst student strikes and a yearning for education in Polish. The Evangelical-Augsburg Church, led by Reverend Julian Machlejd, answered this call. They established a committee to create a Polish-language secondary school for boys, choosing Mikołaj Rej as its patron. On September 1, 1906, the XI Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Mikołaja Reja opened its doors, welcoming over 200 students. The school’s early years were marked by growth, moving from a location on Kaliksta Street to the Museum of Industry and Agriculture on Składowa Street, to accommodate the increasing number of students. In 1913, the XI Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Mikołaja Reja finally had a home of its own, the very building we stand before at Małachowski Square. This marked a new era of stability and prestige for the school. The school endured through two world wars, the second one leaving it partially destroyed and claiming the lives of around 300 students, teachers, and alumni. The building itself became a battleground, known as the “Rej Redoubt” during the Warsaw Uprising. Despite the devastation, the XI Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Mikołaja Reja’s spirit remained unbroken. Classes resumed in 1947 in temporary barracks, then in the partially restored building at Małachowski Square by 1949. The school was nationalized in 1952, solidifying its place in Poland’s educational landscape. It continued to expand, adding an extension towards Królewska Street in 1965. The XI Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Mikołaja Reja remained a beacon of learning, introducing specialized classes in humanities, classical studies, and chemistry. It fostered international partnerships, established a tradition of alumni reunions, and even embraced the digital age by connecting to the internet in 1995. The XI Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Mikołaja Reja has witnessed history unfold within its walls, from student strikes to world wars, from political upheaval to technological advancements. The motto etched on its façade, “Macte Animo,” urges courage and fortitude. It is a fitting testament to the school’s enduring spirit and its commitment to educating generations of students.