Located in the heart of Rethymno, the Experimental Senior High School is a vibrant place for learning and growth. The school features at least 15 classrooms, a gym, and six well-equipped laboratories, including IT, biology, chemistry, and physics labs. We are also proud to have our own library. Students share a spacious yard with a neighboring high school, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere.

Our school encourages students to explore their interests beyond the classroom through various after-school clubs, including theater, photography, first aid, and debate. Despite facing challenges with funding and infrastructure, our school community remains active, creative, and welcoming.

A Brief History

Experimental Schools in Rethymno were established to enhance the practical training of university students while promoting educational research. The University of Crete spearheaded this initiative, opening the Experimental Middle School in 1997 and the Experimental Senior High School in 1999. In 2021, an Experimental Primary School was added in Rethymno’s Old Town. Our senior high officially opened on September 17, 1999, and has grown steadily under the guidance of several dedicated directors.

Fun Facts About Our School

Students regularly engage in playful egg fights with the neighboring high

school.

West of Ankara lies Nallıhan, a district known for its natural beauty and historical charm. Located about 160 km from the capital, it features the famous Nallıhan Bird Paradise and the colorful Fossil Hills. With its Ottoman-era inns, old houses, and a past tied to silk production, the district blends history with nature. Today, agriculture, beekeeping, and eco-tourism play an important role in its local economy.

Turkey has a rich history, beautiful nature, and many ancient civilizations. Turkish people are known for their hospitality, and Turkish cuisine is famous around the world. Some popular dishes are kebab, baklava, Turkish delight, and simit. Turkish tea and coffee are important parts of our culture.

Turkey is surrounded by seas on three sides and has three main climate types: Mediterranean, Black Sea, and continental. Its climate diversity supports tourism; for example, Antalya’s beaches, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and the Black Sea mountains are popular destinations.

Rethymno is a beautiful coastal city on the island of Crete, known for its unique blend of history, culture, and natural charm. The Old Town is one of the best-preserved in Greece, with narrow Venetian streets, colorful houses, and lively shops and cafés. Overlooking the city stands the impressive Fortezza, a Venetian fortress offering stunning views of the sea and the surrounding area. Rethymno also has long sandy beaches, perfect for swimming and relaxing in the sun. Our city is famous for its hospitality, traditional Cretan food, and festivals(fairs, carnivals etc.) which make it a welcoming and memorable destination for visitors and students alike.

Location – close to nature and the residents of the Ławica housing estate. On one side, a ten-minute walk takes you to the nearest forest, and on the other side, the same distance leads to the airport – Poznań’s gateway to the world. It’s no surprise that for our students, interacting with both nature and modernity is part of their daily experience. The school is located in the heart of the housing estate and is well-connected to the surrounding areas.

Safety and a friendly atmosphere – we are a school that is student-friendly. In line with over a hundred years of tradition, the school has maintained a family-like atmosphere; all students, parents, and teachers know and respect each other, working together for the good of everyone. The school is drug-free and free of aggressive behavior; the entire campus is under surveillance, and good cooperation among all members of the local community effectively eliminates any actions that go against the respect for the law and the student code of conduct.

A school without bells – in our school, there are no bells.

We don’t leave parents to deal with their child’s school problems on their own – various forms of psychological and pedagogical support are organized every year at the school, including: remedial educational activities, corrective-compensatory classes, revalidation, individualized education paths, individual teaching, as well as ongoing advice and consultations for parents and students provided by the pedagogue and psychologist.

We teach in an extraordinary way every day – computer science is not a mystery at our school! Programming is part of the computer classes from the first grade. Children regularly participate in robotics classes, which are organized within the scope of computer science lessons. They also design games and educational activities that they use in other subjects. Our teachers are experts in cyber technology. For years, chalk, sponges, and green boards have been replaced by multimedia boards, on which educational content is presented in an attractive and effective way.

Teachers verify knowledge not only through traditional tests – apps and programs like Scratch Studio, Quizziz, and Kahoot make learning a fantastic game: teaching healthy competition, and it doesn't have to be a chore.

We organize interdisciplinary tasks – we try to ensure that some of the tasks students solve connect knowledge from several subjects. Every year, the school hosts a Project Week, where students present problems from a specific area of study they have chosen as a team.

High results on the eighth-grade exam – the numbers don’t lie, and we have a lot to be proud of. Our students' results clearly stand out in comparison to other schools.

Innovation is our priority – the school participates in many educational projects that allow students and teachers to acquire knowledge in extraordinary ways and expand their knowledge and experience.

Foreign trips, international cooperation – for over twenty years, we have been beneficiaries of programs organized under the patronage of the European Union: Socrates (1998-2002), Comenius (2002-2014), Erasmus (2016-2019), and Erasmus+ (2022-2027). We are also partners in Polish-German and Polish-Lithuanian exchange programs.

Foreign language learning: increased hours, learning English not only in English classes! – English is taught for three hours a week from the first grade. Starting in the seventh grade, students can continue learning in bilingual classes with English for five hours a week, with the class divided into groups according to language proficiency. In addition, two subjects are taught in English: biology and chemistry

1. Historical Significance

Poznań is one of the oldest cities in Poland. It’s often called the birthplace of Polish statehood because it’s where the first Polish rulers, like Mieszko I and Bolesław the Brave, made their mark. You can visit Ostrów Tumski, an island where Poland’s first cathedral and royal palace once stood.

2. St. Peter and Paul Cathedral

Located on Ostrów Tumski, this cathedral is one of the oldest in Poland and a key symbol of the city’s Christian heritage. It has a history that dates back to the 10th century and is a must-see for anyone interested in Poland’s medieval architecture.

3. Old Town and the Town Hall

Poznań’s Old Town is full of colorful, historic buildings, with the stunning Ratusz (Town Hall) at the heart. It’s known for its beautiful Renaissance architecture and is home to the famous Goats of Poznań, which appear every day at noon on the Town Hall’s clock, butting heads in a charming spectacle.

4. Cultural Hub

Poznań is a cultural center with a rich arts scene. It hosts Malta Festival, one of Poland's biggest arts festivals, and has many theaters, museums, and galleries. The National Museum in Poznań has an impressive collection of Polish art, including works from the 19th and 20th centuries.

5. Poznań International Fair (MTP)

The Poznań International Fair is one of the largest trade fairs in Poland and a major meeting point for businesses from all over the world. This has made Poznań an important city for business and innovation.

6. The Malta Lake

A great place for outdoor activities, Lake Malta is one of Poznań’s favorite leisure spots. People go there to relax, bike, or kayak. In the winter, it turns into a place for ice skating and other winter sports. It also hosts the Malta Festival, a huge international arts event.

7. Delicious Food

Poznań is famous for its St. Martin’s croissants (Rogale Świętomarcińskie), a sweet pastry filled with white poppy seeds, almond paste, and other goodies. You can find them around November 11th, when the city celebrates the feast of St. Martin.

It shares its only land border with Spain and is bordered by the vast Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, a feature that has deeply shaped its history, climate, and culture.

Despite its relatively small size, Portugal has an impressive diversity of landscapes.

In the north, you’ll find green hills, rivers, and vineyards, while the center of the country mixes mountains with fertile plains.

The south, especially the Algarve region, is known for its golden cliffs, sandy beaches, and dramatic coastal rock formations. Portugal’s coastline, stretching for more than 800 kilometers, is one of its most striking features and attracts surfers, sailors, and sun-seekers from around the world.

Portugal enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and generally mild winters.

Thanks to the Atlantic influence, coastal areas tend to be cooler and breezier, making the weather pleasant for much of the year.

Portuguese culture reflects centuries of history, including Roman, Moorish, and maritime influences.

Traditional music, such as fado, is known for its emotional depth and sense of longing. Portuguese cuisine is rich and flavorful, with a strong focus on seafood.

Dishes like bacalhau (salted cod), grilled sardines, and sweet treats such as pastéis de nata are famous worldwide.

Fun fact: In Portugal, people often say there are 365 different recipes for bacalhau -

one for each day of the year – but there are actually more than 1000!

Natural beauties:

Alvão Natural Park – Mountains, forests, and hiking trails, home to diverse wildlife.

Fisgas de Ermelo Waterfalls – One of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in Europe with a total drop of about 200 m. Surrounded by forests, valleys, and cliffs, they offer hiking trails with viewpoints, rich biodiversity, and nature and adventure tourism activities. The best time to visit is in spring and autumn.

Tâmega River – Ideal for fishing, kayaking, and riverside activities.

Monte Farinha – Offers panoramic views and is a popular spot for outdoor recreation.

The Senhora da Graça Sanctuary, located on Monte Farinha (953 m) in Mondim de Basto, is a historic pilgrimage site. It offers panoramic views, combines spiritual and natural beauty, and is a symbol of local tradition and legends, attracting both pilgrims and tourists.

“Romeiros” are part of a traditional pilgrimage celebrated on the night of July 24. Pilgrims dress in traditional clothes, walk through the village, and share songs, dances, and food, honouring Saint James while keeping local customs and community spirit alive.

Fun fact/curiosity: According to local tradition, Monte Farinha was once said to hide treasures guarded by enchanted beings called Mouras Encantadas. These magical women could take the form of serpents or remain as beautiful women with long golden hair. Legends say that anyone who could break the enchantment - using special rituals or charms - would free the moura and gain her treasure. To this day, the treasure remains hidden, and the moura is said to stay enchanted.

northern Portugal. It brings together several schools under a single administrative structure, offering a complete and continuous educational pathway — from pre-school and primary education to lower and upper secondary levels.

Our school is committed to providing high-quality, inclusive education, ensuring that all students have access to learning opportunities that meet their individual needs and interests. It promotes values such as respect, responsibility, cooperation, and citizenship, while fostering a safe and supportive learning environment.

In addition to its academic programs, our Agrupamento encourages participation in a wide range of cultural, scientific, artistic, and sports activities, aiming to support students’ holistic development. It also engages actively with the local community and families, developing partnerships that enrich the educational experience and strengthen community ties.

Overall, Agrupamento de Escolas de Mondim de Basto plays a vital role in the educational and social life of the region, preparing students to be thoughtful, active, and capable citizens in a constantly changing world.

The main building: there are big and modern classrooms with big whiteboards, modern computers, colourful chairs, and a heater. There are also 4 computer rooms, 4 labs (2 for Chemistry and Physics and 2 for Science and Biology). The

library is big and colourful – it’s a very pleasant and quiet room where we can read, do research work, study and perform other tasks. The students room is where we have the bar, tables and comfortable chairs and a big TV screen.The teachers room is big with a bar, many computers, lockers, bookshelves and many tables.The gym is also big with many changing rooms. In our playground, there are two football fields, two basketball courts, and one volleyball court. There are also ping pong and table football tables and a large space where students can socialize and play. The canteen is very big as well as the kitchen.

Fun fact: the school bell doesn’t ring – it plays songs the students like.