Mathematical Grammar School History

The founding of the school was preceded by discussions, professional initiatives and work on a specialised educational model. The aim was to combine advanced mathematics teaching with scientific thinking and collaboration with the University.

On returning to Belgrade, Dajovic proposes establishing a specialised school for gifted students. Bringing the idea to life required a curriculum, a teaching team and support for a new kind of school. The path from the initial idea to the establishment of Mathematical Grammar School in Belgrade was full of difficulties and obstacles. The school's focus on exceptional talent was a particular point of contention, as it differed sharply from the prevailing principle of uniform education.

The founding committee for Mathematical Grammar School in Belgrade consisted of Nikola Vucenov, Vojin Dajovic, K. Milinkovic and Ranko Radovanovic.

As part of the preparations, a report on establishing Mathematical Grammar School was drawn up by a committee consisting of Vojin Dajovic (chair), Ranko Radovanovic, Nikola Vucenov, Milan Raspopovic, Radovan Matovic, Branka Vuckovic and Branislava Mojsovic. The committee developed a curriculum based on the science and mathematics stream of general secondary education.

The mathematics curriculum was written by Vojin Dajovic and his wife, Professor Milica Ilic-Dajovic. Mathematics teaching was modernised, broadened and deepened, with the introduction of elements of numerical mathematics, mathematical logic, programming and various applications of mathematics.

The foundations of Mathematical Grammar School's distinctive approach were laid from the outset: an entrance examination, specialised curricula, carefully selected talented teachers, collaboration with the University and classes of 20 students.

The school opens in the Rista and Persa Milenkovic Endowment building at 37 Narodnog Fronta Street, now Kraljice Natalije Street. The first day of teaching was postponed from early September because applications continued after the school year had begun. Ranko Radovanovic, MSc, then head of Belgrade's Institute for Education and Pedagogy, serves as acting director.

Vojin Dajovic, Milica Ilic-Dajovic and their son Slobodan taught as volunteers for many years. The exchange between the school and the University became a lasting part of its identity: students were introduced to scientific research, while young teachers gained experience in working with gifted students.

Professor Dajovic chose his colleagues with great care, seeking experienced, accomplished and ambitious teachers. Lessons began at 7:15 every morning, six days a week; at that time, Saturday was a school day throughout the education system. The first two lessons of each day had to be mathematics. Initially, there were also difficulties with the gym, so students travelled by bus to the sports centre in Kosutnjak for physical education. Compulsory swimming lessons were held there on Saturday afternoons.

New teachers soon joined the school: Zorica Marinac, Branko Popovic and Mirjana Ivanovic (Serbian language and literature), Bojana Nikic and Gavrilo Vukovic (physics), Georgije Stojkovic (programming), Vasilije Jovic (chemistry), Branka Djerasimovic and Zivota Joksimovic (mathematics), Aleksandar Cvetkovic (English), Vera Grubetic (Russian), Milesa Popovic (logic, psychology, sociology and philosophy), Pavlina Mihajlovska (geography), Milan Milakov (physical education) and others. Professor Dajovic devoted particular attention to selecting mathematics teachers. He sought to ensure that most young teaching assistants from the Faculty of Science and Mathematics spent at least some time teaching at the school as external associates. The idea was to benefit both the school and the teachers, who gained experience unavailable elsewhere. Vojin Dajovic, his wife Milica and their son Slobodan taught at the school as volunteers for many years, without any payment. Vojin taught Analysis with Algebra until 1978. He also led meetings of the mathematics department, although he was not formally its head. Once he felt that the school could stand on its own feet, he stepped back and entrusted its future to his successors. 'For subjects other than mathematics, physics and astronomy, teachers were selected whose students could master the material during lessons, leaving them free to devote most of their spare time to mathematics.'

That same year, Professor Dusan Adnadjevic takes over as acting director, serving for three school years. Olympiad achievements become a visible result of the school's work, alongside its central mission: developing students' abilities and preparing them for further education.

At a time when computers were rare, the school connects classroom learning with practical computing. Students acquire programming skills and take part in the work of the Computing Centre, with many continuing their studies and careers in computer science.

As a teacher, he insisted on a thorough understanding of physics and extensive problem solving. As director, he helped develop the school and preserve its distinctive educational model through years of major change.

Teachers who would leave a lasting mark on the school arrive during this period, including Srdjan Ognjanovic, Natasa Calukovic, Milan Cabarkapa, Nadija Udovicic and Branislava Vlaski.

Mathematical Grammar School becomes part of the system of career-oriented education, preparing students for a range of mathematical, technical and scientific occupations. Nevertheless, teachers strive to maintain advanced teaching and an environment that continues to attract young people interested in mathematics and science.

In 1977, the so-called Suvar reform was implemented across the education system, hastily and without thorough analysis. Class sizes rose to 34 and sometimes as many as 40 students. The entrance examination and collaboration with the University were abolished. With more students and classes, the school switched to teaching in two shifts. It became an EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR MATHEMATICAL AND TECHNICAL VOCATIONS. Its vocational pathways were programmer, computer operator, mathematical and technical associate, and statistician. There were also two pathways in the science and technology field: nuclear physics technician and laser physics technician. The school soon stopped teaching the first two years, the so-called common foundation, and worked only with third- and fourth-year students, with between 20 and 24 classes. It was thought that Mathematical Grammar School would have a better chance of regaining its status if it changed its name, so it was named after the well-known revolutionary and national hero Veljko Vlahovic. During 1978–1988, despite the damaging consequences of career-oriented secondary education, Mathematical Grammar School retained much of its former identity, including its teaching staff, modern organisation and teaching methods, and collaboration with scientific institutions. This was due in large part to the efforts of its director, Milan Raspopovic. Perhaps most significantly, mathematically gifted students continued to come to the school at 37 Narodnog Fronta Street, partly out of habit and partly because the Veljko Vlahovic school, although formally placed on the same footing as other secondary schools, still offered its students considerably more. The increased workload brought many new teachers to the school. Some found it difficult to adapt and did not stay long, but many settled in successfully and remained until retirement. Among them were Nenad Lazarevic, Slobodan Tmusic, Mihailo Veljkovic and Ljubinka Petkovic (mathematics), Nevenka Spalevic, Maja Mucalov, Jasminka Mihaljinac and Lidija Popovic (computer science), Vesna Rapaic (physics), Mirjana Micic (literature) and Milos Aksentijevic (astronomy).

Vladimir Micic, Ljubomir Protic, Zoran Kadelburg and Srdjan Ognjanovic work on restoring the specialised curriculum. The educational model for gifted students is re-established, allowing the school to continue the journey it began in 1966.

Working in groups of four or five allows teachers to follow students' progress more closely, adapt the pace and make room for more complex problems and research. Direct collaboration between students, teachers and scientists is particularly valuable.

During this period, the idea develops of extending Mathematical Grammar School's specialised education to gifted students in the final years of primary school.

In spring 2004, Dr Vladimir Dragovic, a former student and teacher at the school, becomes acting director. The arrival of seventh-grade students marks an important step: work with gifted students begins earlier, with the support of teachers, psychologists and parents. The seventh- and eighth-grade classes later move from pilot status into the regular education system.

From the 2009/10 school year, students and teachers are back in the building in Kraljice Natalije Street. The renovated premises allow regular lessons to take place in the morning, with mentoring sessions, clubs, competition preparation and other activities in the afternoon.

Luka Milicevic, Nikola Mrksic, Aleksandar Vasiljkovic, Mihajlo Cekic, Dusan Perovic, Ognjen Ivkovic and Dusan Milijancevic passed the entrance examination for Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and received full scholarships. Dusan Milijancevic ultimately chose a different path and went to MIT. The others continued to Cambridge.

That same year, Aleksandar Vasiljkovic wins the school's first gold medal at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Former students contribute to competition preparation, teaching, mentoring and fundraising. Community support helps fund travel to competitions, equipment and the development of new programmes.

He competes six times and wins a medal on every occasion. In 2012, this exceptional record takes him to first place in the International Mathematical Olympiad Hall of Fame, making him the most successful contestant in the competition's history up to that point.

According to the Hall of Fame rankings in 2026, Teodor ranks third worldwide and remains the only contestant from Serbia with four Olympiad gold medals.

The Cup brings together young mathematicians, physicists and computer scientists from different countries. Alongside the competitions, it offers friendship, an exchange of experiences and the chance to explore Belgrade.

Post of Serbia also marked Mathematical Grammar School's fiftieth anniversary with a commemorative postage stamp in its Science series. Designed by Anamari Banjac, the stamp has a face value of 23 dinars. It was produced by the Institute for Manufacturing Banknotes and Coins using multicolour offset printing. A commemorative envelope was issued alongside it.

New competition successes broaden the range of subjects in which students excel: in 2016, Milos Grubor wins the school's first medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad. The anniversary is an opportunity for generations to come together and remember the people who built the school.

Mirjana Katic, a mathematics teacher and former student of the school, takes over as director. The development of teaching, new projects and cooperation with institutions in Serbia and abroad continues.

As the highest-scoring female contestant from Europe at that Olympiad, she also receives the Mirzakhani Award, a special recognition of outstanding achievements by girls at the competition. The award is named after Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to receive the Fields Medal.

On this occasion, certificates of appreciation were presented to teachers Natasa Calukovic, Srdjan Ognjanovic and Zoran Kadelburg, each of whom had worked at Mathematical Grammar School for 40 years. Certificates were also presented to institutions and individuals who had made major contributions to the school's development in recent years: the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications; the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development; the Microsoft Development Center; Telekom Srbija; Moneta; AB Soft; the Faculty of Mathematics; the Faculty of Electrical Engineering; the Mathematical Institute of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts; the Center for the Promotion of Science; Natalija Sinanovic, an RTS journalist; Aleksandra Drecun, president of the Intersection Center for Science and Innovation; Zoran Stanojevic, an editor in the RTS news department; and Svetlana Jaksic, the school's IT specialist.

International cooperation also includes the Erasmus+ programme, for which the school holds accreditation. Alongside a strong foundation of knowledge, research and the application of modern technologies play an increasingly important role.

The film about a former student shows how student creativity can preserve memories and bring a community together. It won two international awards: first prize at the Filic Filmic International Film Festival and the Ljubisa Samardzic Smoki special award at the City Fest International Festival.

At the same time, projects, clubs and international programmes give students opportunities to connect their knowledge with their own interests.

The anniversary brings together students, teachers, alumni and friends of the school. The publication 60 Years in 60 Pages preserves selected moments from that journey, while the anniversary website offers further stories, news and materials.