Chronicle

The Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2004. Founded by five visionary men from the Engadine in 1904, the "Institut Engiadina", as it was then called, had 22 students in its first year. It was run by a director and two teachers. It developed as an international school which dedicated itself not only to knowledge and learning, but also to physical exercise and sports. This lead to the motto which is still valid in our age: "mens sana in corpore sano".

 

1902	A group of important men from the Engadine (Gilli, Juvalta, Planta, Geer, Jäger, Töndury) assigns the building contract to the architect Koller, St.Moritz.
1904	On 15 June the "Institut Engiadina" (today Kleinhaus) opens its doors in Zuoz. Among the first students are ten Swiss, four American, three French, three English and two Russian boys. Internationality was an important factor for the founders. As an institute for higher education, the school is run under state supervision.
1913	The success of the school under its first director, Dr. Anton Velleman, makes the construction of new facilities possible: Grosshaus (for 58 students), administrative building with a theatre and concert hall for 250 people, dining hall, indoor pool, reception room, director’s apartment and a separate medical centre. The architect is Nikolaus Hartmann. 137 students attend the institute before World War I breaks out.
1921	The "Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz" is granted the right to conduct state examinations.
1922	By purchasing a meadow of  60'000 m2, the Lyceum Alpinum acquires the now famous sports fields near the river Inn („AI“) and the highest cricket pitch in Europe. The legendary Gordon Spencer introduces Games on the English public school model, a tradition that has remained to this day.
1930	First German Abitur examinations at the Lyceum Alpinum (in-house examination, headed by a commissioner from Germany). After a short interruption during World War II, these examinations were re-introduced in 1952 and are still offered today.
1945	Director Dr Adolf Nadig brings the school back on course after politically turbulent years.
1964	Opening of the Arvenhaus (with classrooms, labs and storerooms for science subjects).
1973	The school’s Swiss Matura certificates receive federal recognition.
1977	Construction of a triple sports hall.
1991	Admission of girl boarders (the so-called Mittelhaus has been renovated to become the girls’ boarding house). A large Media Centre with PC terminals is introduced in the classroom wing.
1997	The Lyceum Alpinum is given permission to conduct examinations for the International Baccalaureate (IB).
1999	The Chesa Arpiglia is built (40 modern single rooms for girls, five multifunctional classrooms).
2003	The regional secondary school (La Plaiv) moves into premises of the Lyceum Alpinum.
2004	The 100th Anniversary is celebrated with festivities lasting several days. Old Boys and Young Girls from all over the world take part.
2007	The completely renovated Nadighaus (former Arvenhaus) is inaugurated; it offers new facilities for science and music classes.
2008	Award of Accreditation by the Council of International School.