The High School in Cracow called "Nowodworek" has got a very long history. It was opened in 1588. The founder of the school was Jagiellonian University. It was created for students who were preparing for the studies at university. In those times the girls were not allowed to study so it was masculine school. Of course on the beginning it was placed in different buildings. Actually, the students had to learn in different classes belonging to the university. It was in XVII century. It was Bartłomiej Nowodworski who endowed two buildings for the pupils of school. In 1928 the school was named after Bartłomiej Nowodworski. The name "Nowodworek" is used because of the surname of the funder. Today it is one of the most famous buildings of Jagiellonian University - Collegium Novum. Bartłomiej Nowodworski was Maltese Knight and that is why the school coat of arms is charged with a Maltese cross. As a keepsake of attending the high school "Nowodworek" all students are given the silver Maltese crosses. Unfortunately, the school had to change the building. Nowadays it is located in the building which was designed by Józef Sary in 1898. The school is one of the best in Poland. There are great teachers and very good equipment. It has got also the best students from Cracow and not only. It is not easy to be accepted by the school. Many famous people graduated from the "Nowodworek". The most famous was the king of Poland - Jan III Sobieski. Today the remnants of the history of school are kept in giving the silver crosses during the graduation. The school is also a member of UNESCO educational institutions that is why it keeps touch with many countries all over the Europe. Students can go to exchange and learn about culture and traditions of different countries. There are many foreign students in our school, too. They come to show us their projects, ideas and we learn together. In the 1998 the school had a great jubilee celebrations. It was the 410 th anniversary of the fundation of school, the 100 th anniversary of location in present building and the 70 th anniversary of the founder Bartłomiej Nowodworski.
