Our gymnasium is one of the oldest schools in St. Petersburg. It was opened in 1805, on September 7. It is 197 years old. History of our gymnasium has reflected major changes in educational system of our country. Public pre-university education did not exist in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. Up to that time children were educated by private tutors, or parents sent them abroad. This policy changed some two hundred years ago with setting up public school controlled by Ministry of Education. First Russian public schools were modelled after German gymnasiums, hence the name "gymnasium" and the curriculum, where much attention was paid to teaching Latin, Greek and modern languages. The aims of gymnasium education were proclaimed as following: to prepare pupils for university, to develop their minds and to instil good manners. That's why besides teaching basic subjects much attention was given to sports, mainly gymnastics, music and art. The students could sing in the school choir, or play in the school orchestra. The life in gymnasium has very peculiar rules and traditions. The pupils were obliged to wear prescribed uniforms. Coming late to classes or playing truant were considered to be serious faults, for which the students were punished severely, sometimes even expelled. On the other hand, good academic work was encouraged in many ways , the gold medal on finishing the course being the highest award. Many outstanding people of Russia were education in the gymnasium, or started their education here. Now gymnasium is a school of high reputation, among the best in the city, the children here are given greatest possible scope to develop abilities and talents they possess.