Prague is located in the region of Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful and vibrant cities, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic center of the Czech state for more than 1100 years.
Prague was once the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, this city on the River Vltava is the home to nearly two million inhabitants and a popular destination for more than a million visitors each year.
The city is famous for its classical music and literary life, its groundbreaking cinema and visual arts, and (more recently) a center for world-class jazz and rock. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Prague became the destination of choice for artists, consultants, journalists, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
This “city of 100 spires” with its medieval center, ancient courtyards, dark passages, countless churches, and glorious parks has been home to the International School of Prague for more than six decades. Founded in 1948 to offer an education, in English, to children of the diplomatic community, ISP has evolved into a thriving institution for students from more than 60 countries.
The following is a timeline of major events in ISP and Prague's history since 1948.
1948
Prague: In the aftermath of WWII, Czechoslovakia faces a variety of social and political problems. The Communist Party usurps the government and throws the Republic under the influence of the Soviet Union, whose control is to last more than 40 years.
ISP: “The English Speaking School of Prague” is founded in the U.S. Embassy, where it remains for 30 years.
1961
ISP: The School has forty students in three classes.
1968
Prague: After a brief era of “Communism with a human face” started by President Alexander Dubcek, the Soviet Union fears losing its power over Czechoslovakia, resulting in the invasion of the country by the Warsaw Pact armies. Under Soviet direction, Gustav Husak restores the strict rules of the regime. This era is known as the, “Normalization.”
1979
ISP: The School moves into a new building, known as the Hillside Campus. Located in Hanspaulka, classes are offered from PK4 through 8th grade, and there are a total of 80 students.
1989
Prague: The weakening of the Soviet Union and the embracing of new economic and political reforms by Gorbachev give the people the courage to stand up for their rights. The series of revolutions in the countries of the Eastern Bloc and the fall of the Berlin Wall ultimately stirs a revolution in Czechoslovakia. The fall of communism is considered one of the most important moments in the history of the country.
1990
ISP: Students in PK4 through 2nd grade (54 students) move to the “Valley Campus”, a small red brick building in Nebusice.
1991
ISP: The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students move to a new campus located in Bubenec.
1992
Prague: Following the fall of Communism in 1989, the tension between the Czech and Slovak political bodies increases. The Slovaks do not feel that they are treated as equal to Czechs in cultural, political, and economic matters. The final separation, also known as “The Velvet Divorce,” occurs peacefully in December 31st, 1992.
ISP: Grade 10 is added.
1994
ISP: Grades 11 and 12 are added.
1995
ISP: The first high school seniors graduate from ISP.
1997
ISP: All three campuses move to the Nebusice Campus with 450 students.
1998
ISP: the Jubilee year (50th Anniversary)of ISP begins with an enrollment of 588 students.
2010
Prague: The Czech Republic is a prosperous country with a healthy economy – one of the strongest in Europe – and plays an active part in European and international matters.
ISP: The entire School is a scene of intense construction as the entire campus undergoes a major, €6.5 million renovation, including entirely new buildings. The academic year starts with over 800 students representing over 60 different nationalities.
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