Amsterdams Lyceum

The Amsterdams Lyceum is a Dutch secondary school combining a gymasium and atheneum. It was established in 1917. The Amsterdams Lyceum has around 1000 students, most of whom are from Amsterdam, but increasing numbers from outer municipalities like Amstelveen, Zaandam, Landsmeer and Monnickendam find their way to this school.HistoryThe Amsterdams Lyceum is the oldest lyceum of the Netherlands. Is was founded in 1917 by Dr. C. P. Gunning (1886-1960) who remained rector until 1952. The building has been in operation since 1920, it was designed by the Dutch Architect H.A.J. Baanders and built in the architectural style of the Amsterdamse school. The windows were painted by artist R.N. Roland Holst and the building is an official historic site and city monument.Dr. Gunning believed that school was more than just a place to obtain a diploma, many extra-curricular activities were initiated and in 1931 the school bought a private recreational retreat in the southeast Netherlands; Wolkenland. Every class would spend one week a year there working on alternative projects and assignments.During the World War II the Nazis appropriated the building, using the classrooms as barracks and the Rector's house as an officers' mess. On top of this, Dr. Gunning was an outspoken objector to the deportation of students. His protest meant that he was fired, arrested and imprisoned in Amersfoort concentration camp in Januari 1942. The school lost 95 (former) students during this period, every April a ceremony takes place to commemorate this loss.