In 1885 the Educational Society for the Duchy of Cieszyn was founded, which contributed to the foundation of the first grammar school in Cieszyn in 1895. In 1909, thanks to the cooperation of the Educational Society of the Principality of Cieszyn and the Folk School Society of Krakow, the grammar school in Orlová was founded. Initially, attempts were made with the Reich Council to have the school funded by the state, when this failed, it was decided to establish a public school. Permission to open the school was received on 7 September 1909. Although it was not granted the status of a state school, it played a significant role in the educational landscape of Zaolzie as an institution maintained by the founding organisations. In the same year, the Polish Bursa Society in Orlová was also founded.

Initially, classes were held in a small one-storey building, but as early as September 1909 permission was granted to erect a school building. On this basis, a gymnasium building was constructed between 1910 and 1911, which was extended with an additional floor between 1927 and 1928. In 1912 a building was also acquired to house the students. The school's activities were interrupted during the Second World War, when the building was used as a German mining school, then a German teachers' seminar, and in the last months as a military hospital and barracks. After the war, in 1945, the gymnasium was able to resume its activities, which operated under its original name until 1953. At that time, the school was transformed into the Eleven-Year Secondary School with Polish Language of Teaching, and then in 1960 into the General Secondary School with Polish Language of Teaching.

In 1962, the gymnasium was merged with the Polish primary school in Orlová-Lazy, where the school was moved to a newly constructed building. In 1964, the Polish grammar schools in Orlová and Český Těšín were amalgamated to form one establishment with branches in both towns. In 1993, the activities of the Orlová grammar school were transferred to Karviná, where the building of the former primary school was occupied. In 2009, the Karviná branch was closed, leaving the only classes in Český Těšín.

In 1962, after the Polish school moved to a new building in Orlová-Lazy, the former educational building received a new user - the music school. This institution used the space until the late 1970s, when the building underwent another transformation in 1979. For the next seven years, until 1986, the building was used by a radio and sound equipment company. In 1987, the decision was taken to demolish it. In 2009, it was decided to commemorate the former school. A monument made of red granite was erected on the site where its building had stood.

The history of this institution provides a vivid record of changes in education, politics and international relations, witnessing intense transformation over decades. It reflects evolving ideas and contexts that have affected not only the local community, but also the wider regions.

The identity of the grammar school has not emerged solely from its walls. Teachers, pupils and staff, who are now spread across the world, have given the school a unique character. Future generations were shaped within the walls of this grammar school, and the values passed on there became the foundation for the Zaolzie community.

A monument commemorating the activities of the school was unveiled on the site where the grammar school was located in 2009.

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Film produced by the Olza Pro Association

Year of production: 2023

Film editing: Marek Konieczny, Jozef Szymeczek, Luděk Ondruška

Published with the permission of Olza Pro Association

See more about the history of the school:

"Nowosci Ilustrowane", 42, 1909, https://jbc.bj.uj.edu.pl/publication/15247