Our history

With a new design, fresh logo and modern mission statement: the new FGZ website goes online.

Particularly motivated students are given the opportunity to gain practical experience in research projects during the last two years of school and to build bridges to the world of tertiary education and work.

Active participation by the students is key to school quality, a good learning atmosphere and identification with FGZ. This is why the student organisation (SO) was founded.

The SO board presides over the SO parliament, which is made up of two students from each class, advocates for issues relevant to students and organises a wide range of events. The members also have the right to vote on the teachers’ committee (Gesamtkonvent).

Picture: The current SO board (2024)

Many alumni respond to the call to return to school for an evening and establish a new tradition of community beyond school.

Dr. Christoph Wittmer, former principal of the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz and the Kantonsschule Enge, is elected as the new principal of Freies Gymnasium Zürich. Dr. Thomas Bernet retires after 15 years as headmaster.

In autumn 2018 the «Theaterwerkstatt Freigymi» drama society celebrates its 20th anniversary. Such a special occasion calls for a special production: FAME – The Musical. A production that draws on all the artistic potential that our students have to offer. For the first and only time, teachers also participate as actors in this unique anniversary performance.

With the launch of the concept «Bring Your Own Device» in the upper school of the Gymnasium, FGZ responds to the profound change in writing and media culture triggered by digitalization. Starting in the autumn semester 2017/2018, all students in the upper school take their own tablets or devices into their daily lessons; these not only store their digital exercise books but are also used as multifunctional devices for new forms of learning. Through the practical and targeted integration of digital media and equipment in the classroom, FGZ aims to create optimal conditions for both students and teachers to acquire and expand their digital skills. On the path to achieving digital maturity at FGZ, the focus is not only on the productive use of the devices, but also on the mindful approach and critical examination of digital media and data in general. The newly created Genius Bars, which are regularly offered by teachers for teachers, serve as a central platform for further in-house training and discussions in the digital field.

The new Vice Principal of Freies Gymnasium Zürich and the successor to Hans Rudolf Bühlmann is Christine Aerne Corcoran. The Romance Studies graduate, who takes up her post as Vice Principal at the beginning of the 2018/19 academic year, has been teaching French and Italian at FGZ for the past 21 years. Christine Aerne is the first woman to join the school management team in the almost 130-year history of FGZ.

After several months of reconstruction and renovation work, the new library is inaugurated at the end of November with a series of witty lectures and insightful panel discussions. The speakers at the opening ceremony of the new FGZ Library include Manfred Papst, Head of the Culture Department at NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, and Dr. Michael Hagner, Professor of Science Studies at ETH Zurich. In their masterly and entertaining speeches, both speakers extol the value and significance of “books” which still occupy a unique place in our culture. The newly designed library at FGZ not only offers space for books and reading, but also has a practical role to play in our everyday school life as a place of learning, study, presentation and encounter.

«Education takes time. Writing takes time. Good lessons take time» (R). In order to meet these pedagogical and subject-specific demands, the 40-minute lessons, which have been the norm at FGZ for over 100 years, are combined into 80-minute long lessons starting this autumn semester. The extended lessons should not just lead to more calm in the daily timetable, thus helping students to maintain their focus, but should also make it possible to individualise lessons in response to different learning requirements and to encourage independence. In addition, this innovation is intended to be used as a means of promoting writing in the spirit of the writing school project. The new long lessons also allow more flexibility for teachers when designing and structuring their lessons. What is more, the time gained by combining lessons facilitates a later start to the school day in tune with the biological rhythm of young people.

«What began as a dream, was articulated as an idea and discussed at length [becomes …] reality: the new 5th grade primary class at FGZ!» (RH). The new preparatory grade 5, consisting of 16 pupils led by a class teacher and accommodated on the 6th floor, benefits from high-quality primary school education at FGZ. Since some of their lessons are taught by Gymnasium teachers, the pupils also have the opportunity to gain an insight into how the following class, preparatory grade 6, is taught, as well as into the world of the Gymnasium, in line with the requirements of both the children and parents. The cornerstone of the new preparatory grade 5, and one important feature that sets it apart from the state school, is the inclusion of a half-day project morning in the timetable every week. Pupils are able to pursue their own interests and explore their personal abilities in this project morning with the guidance and individual support of both their class teacher and a Gymnasium teacher.

Starting this school year, FGZ’s relationship with the outside world has found new expression and focus in its cooperation with Sydney Grammar School (SGS) and the student exchange programme involving the two schools. In spite of the geographic distance between these two renowned educational institutions, which have both existed for over 100 years, they have much in common regarding the values and traditions that characterise them. This facilitates cooperation between the schools and helps to make the student exchange an enriching experience for all concerned. A delegation of Australian students attends FGZ for some weeks in December and subsequently spends the Christmas holidays with their Swiss host families. In return a group of students from our school flies to Sydney mid-April to first enjoy the spring holidays with their Australian host families and later to become integrated in SGS classes.

Founded in 1888 by three fathers and with just six students, the FGZ has grown to be an important institution in Zurich. With its preparatory classes, the Progymnasium and the lower and upper schools of the Gymnasium, the FGZ stands out due to its wide range of educational programmes and variety of options which enable students to switch from one educational level to another. In just 13 years, the FGZ becomes a leading school in the bilingual sector, educating approximately a third of all 470 students bilingually. The students, teachers, parents and alumni proudly look back on the achievements of 2013. Throughout the year, events took place that reflected the diversity of our school (see chapter «125 Jahre-Jubiliäum» / «125 years of FGZ»).

The Bilingual Middleschool Zurich (BMZ) is integrated into Freies Gymnasium Zürich. The partner school of BMZ, Lakeside School Küsnacht, sells its 50% share to Freies Gymnasium Zürich. The limited company is dissolved and the bilingual education programmes are integrated into Freies Gymnasium Zürich’s range of education programmes. The close collaboration with Lakeside School is now regulated with a cooperation contract.

With the opening of the bilingual lower school of the Gymnasium, it is now possible for students to go bilingual all the way – from primary school right through to Swiss Matura.

Following an intensive selection process, Dr. Thomas Bernet, Head of School of Academia Engiadina, is elected as Principal of Freies Gymnasium Zürich.

The incumbent principal, Beat Sommer, answers a call to lead the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz. Dr. Hans Berger becomes interim principal.

Freies Gymnasium Zürich becomes a pioneer in the canton: launch of the Bilingual Middleschool Zurich with immersion teaching in English / German. Freies Gymnasium Zürich initiates this new education programme in collaboration with its partner school, Lakeside School Küsnacht, ensuring a seamless transition from the bilingual primary school level.

Freies Gymnasium Zürich is the first Gymnasium in the canton to start a bilingual education programme in the upper school of the Gymnasium («Economics and Law» study profile).

Freies Gymnasium Zürich launches its website.

Start of the Gymnasium education in accordance with the new Swiss Matura regulations in the upper school of the Gymnasium. Core subjects and supplementary subjects (study profiles) replace the former Matura categories.

Since 1999, the Theaterwerkstatt has staged a major drama production featuring our students every year. The Theaterwerkstatt Freies Gymnasium Zürich benefits from professional leadership in the main artistic areas and has become an important institution in our school.

The incumbent principal, Reverend Markus Zbären, retires. Beat Sommer, Coordinator of Boarding at the Lyceum Alpinum in Zuoz, is elected as new principal.

For the first time in the Canton of Zurich, English is introduced into the timetable for the 1st secondary class and, from the second semester, for the 1st Gymnasium classes.

In conjunction with the rescheduled start of the school year from spring to late summer, it is decided to abolish the probationary period to allow students time to settle in at the school.

The first class of the Economics Gymnasium takes the Matura examinations. The Matura Type E programme at Freies Gymnasium Zürich receives state recognition.

A computer room makes possible the introduction of IT teaching at the school.

Opening of the Economics Gymnasium with 21 students.

In order to respond to requests for more supervision and to adapt to social changes, this year sees the start of homework support and school lunches. The demand for these services experiences a steady increase over the following years and they have become an important part of our school structure today. The voluntary lunchtime support offered by mothers and fathers strengthens the bond between parents and Freies Gymnasium Zürich.

EDP lessons are integrated into the timetables.

The school’s centenary celebrations are opened on 7 May with an official ceremony in the Neumünster Church, followed by lunch on the school premises. Two hundred invited guests, including many from the world of politics and business, as well as all members of the school enjoy the speech given by the President of Zurich University, Professor H. H. Schmid, as well as numerous good-humoured toasts and after-dinner speeches. In June, on the day dedicated to the students, the entire school travels to Obersee by special train, enjoys sports and games on the banks of the lake in Bollingen and then walks to Rapperswil where the school community boards a steamship to take everybody back to Zurich. A lively school party with 2,000 visitors, all members of the Freies Gymnasium Zürich extended family, brings the celebrations to a grand conclusion on 28 October.

Principal Scheitlin resigns and Reverend Markus Zbären is named as new principal. Like his predecessors, he possesses the remarkable gift of exuding great human warmth while, at the same time, being very down to earth and purposeful – all qualities essential for successful school leadership.

The Matura graduates establish the «Trübelitag» tradition by distributing fresh grapes (Swiss German: Trübeli) to the entire school community on the day that they complete their Matura exams. At this time the Matura exams took place in autumn. After the rescheduling of the beginning of the school year in 1989, the dates of the Matura are also changed. Nevertheless the «Trübelitag» tradition has continued in another form (although without fresh grapes).

The steady increase in the number of pupils during the 1950s leads to the building of the new school premises in Seefeld, alongside such good neighbours as the Neumünster Community Centre and the Riesbach Gymnasium.

IBM Switzerland donates one of the first magnetic card computers to Freies Gymnasium Zürich, inviting the school to try out the system. The Computer Studies lessons are taught by Heinz Bachmann and Erich Bernhard. For years, the course takes place during a special project week and is only integrated into the timetable in 1989.

In the magazine «Die Frau» (1967) you could read in the following article: «If you enter a classroom containing a language laboratory in Freies Gymnasium Zürich, you may think you have walked into a telephone box by mistake: you can see boys and girls wearing headphones sitting in small booths.» The installation, which was donated to the school, allows the teacher (E. Jaccard) sitting at the control panel to talk to each individual student while the others are practising sentences with the aid of pictures and text.

In January 1961, Freies Gymnasium Zürich is honoured by a visit from Field Marshal Montgomery who in true «Monty» fashion decrees that the whole school should have two half-day holidays – this very much to the surprise of school management and to the delight of the students (and teachers).

Reverend Kurt Scheitlin is elected as principal. Fifty years earlier, Professor von Schulthess had expressed the hope that common ground, yet to be discovered, could be found in the relationship between science and religion and their differing view of the world. Now, in stark contrast to this statement, Scheitlin writes: «It is not the job of the Protestant Grammar School to protect its students from the tension between knowledge and religion, between reason and revelation, rather the contrary is true: the school should take on the challenge of making its students aware of this tension.»

Freies Gymnasium Zürich now enjoys a certain size and the decision is made to hold the first school party that is not intended to mark any particular event. Principal Arthur Fischer at first expresses his concern, "whether such frivolities" are compatible "with the Gospel and humanism of an almost seventy-year-old school". The Honky Tonk, College Jazz Hall, Modern Club and the Cave St.-Germain ("Zigarette im Mundwinkel, Whisky im Glas, Loch im Sack, Stoppeln im Gesicht, Nebel im Hirn") welcome revellers to a taste of the Jazz Age.

Reverend von Orellis resigns. The incumbent Vice Principal, the 64-year-old Arthur Fischer, is appointed principal. Under his leadership, Freies Gymnasium Zürich takes decisive steps towards expansion. From now on there will be two first classes in the Gymnasium each year. He also suggests that the Board should consider building a new school.

On the event of the 50th anniversary of the school, Reverend von Orelli writes a review of the history, development and distinctive character of the school. In a period of internal and external change and turmoil, this review serves as an evaluation and analysis of our school as it stands.

An important part of the tradition of Freies Gymnasium Zürich is the remarkable loyalty of many former students to our school. In 1930, this leads to the founding of the Alumni Association, which actively supports and follows school developments and events.

Principal Beck resigns to be succeeded by Reverend Hans von Orelli. Student numbers rise to 250. "Orelli is the kind of leader who does not want to do everything himself and who gives other capable teachers space to take on responsibilities. This leads to a new age of collaboration and consolidation of the teaching team which has stood our school’s rich sense of tradition in good stead over decades and, in fact, right up to the present day."

After 22 years, the school moves into its new building in St. Annagasse and is granted the right to have a in-house final examinations (Matura examinations), which is followed by federal recognition in 1912.

The introduction of 40-minute lessons allows the school to give its students three school-free afternoons a week. This very popular arrangement only changes when the 5-day week is introduced.

In 1904, the "family school" is already a fully-fledged Gymnasium, which, in contrast to the boys-only cantonal Gymnasiums, also admits girls.

The private Gymnasium finds itself in a difficult financial situation. The closing of the school can only be averted by the members of the Board guaranteeing the deficit. What the school needs is a strong personality who sees this appointment as "his purpose in life"; a principal to replace the current part-time principal Mr Rüegg. Reverend Bernhard Beck is appointed as the first full-time principal and not only is his request for a new desk granted; the school also receives generous donations from benefactors. This change in fortunes is interpreted as a blatant sign of "God’s will".

A preparatory class is introduced to follow the fifth primary school class. The School Association is founded with teachers, parents and friends of the school as members. The name of the school is changed to "Freies Gymnasium".

The founder of Freies Gymnasium dies at the early age of 51. Friends and former colleagues publish a book in his memory.

The family business gradually grows into a school. In order to satisfy the constant requirement for more space, the school moves to the premises in Sihlwart at 26 Gerechtigkeitsgasse in Selnau.

Further fathers seek admission for their children and permission is granted by the cantonal government. The name of the school: Privatgymnasium. Teaching aim: transfer to the upper school of the cantonal Gymnasium. Lessons are moved to the former Glockenhaus. More teachers are employed.

Five fathers, Mr Höhr-Hirzel (bookseller), Reverend Walder-Appenzeller, Mr Frick-Morf, Mr Adolf Guyer-Zeller and Mr Bachofner (Principal of the Seminar Unterstrasse) would like their sons to receive an education based on positive Christian principles. Christian Wagner, graduate of the Seminar Unterstrasse College, is appointed as the first teacher. Lessons begin in the living room of Christian Höhr’s home. Nobody dreams of founding a school.