A secondary school is an important social institution in the life of a child. It not only provides children with education, but also assists in the upbringing and preparation for further education at a higher educational institution. Often, yesterdayโs secondary schools, in order to stand out from the gray mass of other educational institutions, begin to actively pay attention to the individual development of each student, expand teaching methods, and increase programs.

As a result, they change their name to gymnasiums and lyceums. And what is it? What is the difference between a gymnasium and a lyceum? First of all, these are general educational institutions, and they are building their curriculum on the basis of federal general educational standards. It should also be noted that such institutions most often have a sponsor. It allows you to maintain the material and technical base at a fairly high level. Then how can parents understand what knowledge a child will receive in a particular educational institution?
Main difference
There is an opinion that the main difference between the gymnasium and the lyceum lies in the humanitarian orientation, while the second educational institution has a technical profile. But in fact, this is a profound error, since both institutions can focus on the study of both the exact and the humanities. The direction of development of the lyceum is determined by the agreement with the university, for which graduates are trained. In the gymnasium, there may be curricula with a bias in different sciences, depending on the desires of the students. That is, several classes of different directions are being created ("socio-economic", "mathematical", "humanitarian" or "chemical-biological").

Children study by general educational standards. They study the same disciplines as in a regular school, but with a bias on a certain set of subjects, depending on the profile. This technique is very effective. So to the senior classes the child already knows what subjects he likes best and are easier to give.
History of occurrence
What is the difference between a gymnasium and a lyceum? Let's delve into the history of their appearance. Grammar schools existed in ancient Greece. They were the first educational institutions and were the prototypes of modern schools. Initially, they taught sports sciences, as evidenced by the name: "gymnasium" in Greek - "a place for gymnastic exercises." As you know, only young people studied at such institutions. Girls were not allowed here. Previously, gymnasiums were located in every city. And in some even a few.

Lyceums do not have so much deep history. But at one time it was one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Russia. Not every family could afford to give the child to study at the Lyceum. Studied in them for at least six years. During this time, children mastered the same disciplines as in a regular school. Training for a period of eleven years allowed to make an official career. Currently, lyceums are more common in Western Europe, Latin America and even in Africa. By the way, in translation from Greek "lyceion" means "educational institution".
Goals
What is the difference between high school and gymnasium? Pay attention to the goal. The lyceum prepares the child for admission to a higher educational institution, and it is to that institution of higher education with which the institution has an agreement. At the same time, the gymnasium is distinguished by a deep study of the main disciplines. The main task of such an institution is to comprehensively develop the personality, as well as to assist in choosing their future path.
Directivity
Another evaluation criterion is the focus of training, but there are some differences. What is the difference between a lyceum and a gymnasium in this matter? Lyceum can be both humanitarian and mathematical.
It all depends on the university, which cooperates with the educational institution. The gymnasium, as already noted, does not have a specific focus. The main goal is the multilateral development of the child and the in-depth study of certain subjects.
Certificate
Another important difference between the gymnasium and the lyceum is that the graduation certificate is exactly the same as graduates of ordinary schools. Education received at the Lyceum is equivalent to a university. Fixed universities take graduates of this institution immediately to the second year, as they have already studied the first-year program.
Summarize
Thus, today social institutions such as school, lyceum, and gymnasium give secondary education to children . What is the difference between these organizations? First of all, the main difference between each of these institutions is the educational program.

Schools provide ordinary secondary education, while gymnasiums provide deeper, wide-profile knowledge. At the same time, the lyceum prepares graduates for admission and study at a university. The profile of the latter is determined by the university with which he collaborates. That is, for the full development of the child, a gymnasium and a lyceum are ideal. The only difference is that after graduation, a graduate can immediately enter the second year of a certain higher educational institution with which a lyceum has a contract. It should also be noted that the above educational institutions are considered elite. The teaching staff in these institutions is significantly different from a regular school. So, only the highest category of teachers work in these educational institutions, and recruitment is carried out on a competitive basis.
The choice
Before choosing one of the listed institutions for admission, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Will the child pull the increased load in the gymnasium or lyceum? Will he have a penchant for studying certain sciences? What further education do parents want to give their child? If the choice is in favor of elite educational institutions, then it is necessary to take into account the difference between the gymnasium and the lyceum. Both institutions have their own advantages and guarantee that a child after graduation, upon admission to a higher educational institution, will at least have superiority over graduates of ordinary schools. However, the desire of the child himself plays an important role. Indeed, in the middle of the journey, children often decide to try something new.