Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School

Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School
Coat of arms of the school
Location
Szolnok Hungary
Information
Established	1831
Faculty	46
Number of students	552
Website	http://www.verseghy-szolnok.sulinet.hu/

Verseghy Ferenc Grammar School (Verseghy Ferenc Gimnázium in Hungarian) is a co-educational secondary state school in Szolnok, Northern Great Plain, Hungary. It is one of the oldest grammar schools in the region and is rich in traditions. The school was founded in 1831 and was named after the famous native of Szolnok, Ferenc Verseghy in 1922. At present (2011) 552 pupils attending 17 classes are taught by 46 teachers.

Upon the request of the citizens of Szolnok, Francis I, King of Hungary endorsed the establishment of a grammar school in 1831.

It was provisionally run on the premises of a Franciscan monastery until 1835, when it was given its own building. Despite its promising development, the school was forced to close down for financial reasons between 1852 and 1862.

When it was nationalised in 1887, the construction of a new building was also seen to, which was eventually finished in 1892. The Eclectic edifice was erected at the most beautiful place in town, where the house of birth of Verseghy Ferenc, the renowned linguist and poet once stood. Instruction began in the new, but only partially finished building in September 1888.

The grammar school was named after Verseghy Ferenc at the centenary of his death, 1922. It continued to develop in the 1930s, playing an important role in the cultural life of the town. It was then that its students first started achieving outstanding results at national academic competitions. However, instruction had to be suspended due to the Second World War as the building was put into the service of the Germans, and later the Red Army.