First English Language School
First English Language School – Sofia is a state foreign language school, established in 1958 as the first school in Bulgaria to offer intensive English language instruction. It is the direct successor of the English Department at the Exarch Joseph I Foreign Language High School in Lovech, whose origins date back to 1881, when American missionary James Challis founded the first private secondary school in Northern Bulgaria with instruction in English and French. Until 1993, the school was known as 114th English Language High School "Lilyana Dimitrova". Since then, it has borne its current name. The school is located at 60 Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov Blvd. in Sofia, and over the years it has established itself with high standards of language education, participation in international programs, and a rich student life with numerous clubs and cultural initiatives. Since 20 March 2024, the principal of the school has been Aleksandar Chakmakov, teacher of English.[1]  HistoryOrigins and early yearsThe history of the school dates back to 1881, when American missionary James Challis founded in Lovech the first private foreign language high school in Northern Bulgaria, with instruction in English and French. In 1927, the institution was transformed into the American College, which developed an active school life with clubs, cultural initiatives, and modern teaching methods for its time.  By Decree №1145 of 2 August 1948 of the Presidium of the Grand National Assembly, published in the State Gazette, all private schools in Bulgaria were closed, including the American College in Lovech. Two years later, the town saw the opening of the Exarch Joseph I Foreign Language High School, which inherited the traditions of the college and developed three language departments – English, French, and German. Establishment of the English Language School in SofiaIn 1954, the English Department of the Lovech high school was moved to Sofia, laying the foundation for a new school with a specialization in English. In 1958, it was officially established under the name "114th High School of English Language Studies," later receiving its patron and becoming "114th English Language High School Lilyana Dimitrova." Since 1960, the school has been housed at 60 Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov Blvd., where it remains to this day.  Renaming and a new beginningAfter the political changes in Bulgaria in 1990, the "114th English Language High School Lilyana Dimitrova" was renamed "First English Language School." The legal change was confirmed by an act of the Sofia Municipal Council in 1993, marking the beginning of the modern stage of the school’s development. Development in the new centuryOver the years, the school has strengthened its reputation through the participation of English-speaking lecturers from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, as well as active international contacts and cooperation. In 1972, it became the first Bulgarian school associated with UNESCO. In 1988, the spirit of the school was depicted in the cult film Yesterday, inspired by real events and the atmosphere at the school. In September 2019, two new school buildings were inaugurated, constructed after years of planning and investment, significantly increasing the school’s capacity and improving conditions for education.
 In March 2021, the school inaugurated its first STEM classrooms – modern learning spaces combining technology and innovation in teaching. The first STEM leaders were Dimitar Keremidchiev (IT teacher, chief project leader and server administrator), Eng. Mariana Donevska (senior IT teacher, chief coordinator), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Petya Petrova (senior chemistry and environmental science teacher, chief methodologist, associate professor at the Institute of Catalysis – BAS), Eng. Georgi Georgiev (senior informatics and IT teacher, chief technical organizer), and Eng. Martin Petkov (English and IT teacher, assistant technical organizer). The technical leadership and full implementation of the first STEM Center – from equipment and system building to commissioning – were carried out by Eng. Georgi Georgiev, Head of the Department of Information and Communication Technologies at the school.
Student clubsSource:[2]
Notable alumni
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