LSMU Gymnasium Adopts an All-through School Model: Quality Growth Strengthened by University Partnership
In Lithuania, a university-affiliated gymnasium is first and foremost a synonym for high-quality education and is distinguished by its close ties with the academic world.
The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) Gymnasium, which has been operating for thirteen years, has made a remarkably dynamic rise to become one of the highest-rated schools in Lithuania. This year, according to data from the National Agency for Education, the LSMU Gymnasium is among the top five selective gymnasiums in the country. Previously, the magazine Reitingai described LSMU Gymnasium as having made perhaps the greatest progress and breakthrough.
This year marks a significant change for the gymnasium. On 1 September, it will officially adopt an all-through school model. This means that starting autumn, the school will offer educational programmes at all levels – pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary. The Primary School, which until now functioned as a branch, is being integrated into the overall structure of the institution.
According to the headteacher of LSMU Gymnasium, Arūnas Bučnys, the reform – already approved by the LSMU Council – aims to ensure a coherent and effective development of education and related services from pre-primary to upper secondary level, with a strong focus on continuity and consistency in the learning process, support for pupils and teachers, and non-formal education for children.
“This structural change will not affect the teaching process or the pupils. The school’s management will become more centralised, but nothing else will change – all the best we have will remain,” – assured the headmaster.
Maintaining High Standards: Selection Will Remain
The gymnasium is determined to maintain its high-quality education and aims to remain among the top 2% of Lithuanian schools based on national examination results. As such, it has no plans to abandon its entrance tests for Year 5 and Year 9.
“Our educational system at the Gymnasium as a whole encourages pupils to study well and strive for excellent results. Therefore, even the youngest pupils, after four years in primary school, will have to take an entrance test to progress to lower secondary education,” – emphasised the headmaster of the LSMU Gymnasium.
From September, primary pupils will also have access to the comprehensive academic support system already in place at the gymnasium, which helps pupils achieve progress and reach the best results that reflect their abilities. According to the school’s curriculum plan, if a pupil’s performance drops below a mark of 7 (satisfactory), an individual “Pupil Performance Improvement Plan” is drawn up involving the teacher, pupil, parents, and support staff. The aim is to encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own learning.
Comprehensive Education to Raise Strong Individuals
High academic achievement, excellent results in school Olympiads and competitions, and meaningful leisure activities all contribute to the development of well-rounded young people who, after receiving their school-leaving certificates, are readily admitted to state-funded places in the most popular study programmes in medicine, dentistry, law, and economics.
“We haven’t focused solely on academic performance – we aim to educate the whole person,” – stressed headmaster A. Bučnys.
Over recent years, the Gymnasium has produced perhaps the highest number of final research projects in the country. Students have set up their own junior enterprises, take part in European young scientist competitions, and engage in a variety of extracurricular activities. Pupils are enthusiastic participants in national song festivals and have formed several rock bands. Young photographers, artists, writers, and performers of literary recitations stand out in competitions.
LSMU Gymnasium is the most Francophone school in Lithuania – French is the second foreign language taught, and four native French-speaking teachers deliver the lessons.
External evaluations carried out regularly have revealed another strength of the LSMU Gymnasium – excellent relationships between teachers and pupils.
Graduates Stand Out for Their Consistent Academic Approach
The status of a university-affiliated school is unique thanks to the significant financial and intellectual investment from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Various educational events, access to University facilities, and opportunities to gain first-hand experience of academic life and research provide a major advantage for students.
Around 37% of LSMU Gymnasium graduates have chosen to study at LSMU. The very first graduates are now completing their residency training.
Nevertheless, Professor Kęstutis Petrikonis, LSMU Vice-Rector for Studies, emphasised that there is no intention to guide pupils exclusively towards health sciences or to study specifically at LSMU. The Gymnasium serves as an incubator that helps students progress and develop freely in a learning-friendly environment.
“Graduates of LSMU Gymnasium are ambassadors of the University’s ethos in society – they stand out for their strong abilities to work and study consistently,” – the Vice-Rector observed.
At the same time, the University also serves as a powerful intellectual, scientific, community and financial support for the Gymnasium – a respected authority that provides guidance, expert opinions and inspiring role models when needed.
The University Gymnasium is not exclusive to the LSMU community only. Currently, around 30% of pupils are children of LSMU staff, while others come from the city of Kaunas and the surrounding districts of Kaunas, Kaišiadorys and Šakiai. The commitment to openness and educational quality has led to the development of a successful recent initiative – the Virtual LSMU School, which has had a major impact on regional areas. Currently, 74 pupils from 29 municipalities are enrolled.
“ The Virtual LSMU School gives children in Lithuanian regions the opportunity to study biology, chemistry and mathematics within the University and gymnasium framework. It’s a strong educational experience that fosters an interest in health sciences, as well as skills in consistent study, discipline and teamwork,” – noted the Vice-Rector.
This continuity – from pre-primary and primary to general education and university studies – is also built on LSMU’s core values: knowledge, skills and everything learned at school are viewed as true assets.
Professor K. Petrikonis is convinced that LSMU Gymnasium’s rapid rise to the top five Lithuanian schools and the highly successful launch of the Virtual School prove that this educational model works.
