Gjimnaz

Gjimnaz is the term used in Albanian-speaking regions to denote a type of secondary school that provides general education and prepares students for higher education. The word derives from gymnasium, a longstanding European concept for academically oriented secondary schools.

In Albania, Kosovo and parts of North Macedonia with Albanian-speaking communities, gjimnazes typically operate as general high schools with four-year programs following primary education. The curriculum generally covers core subjects such as language and literature, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign languages, often with elective tracks in natural sciences, social sciences, or languages. Graduation from a gjimnaz usually enables admission to universities, commonly after a national or regional exit examination, though the exact assessment framework varies by country and reform period.

Historically, the concept entered Albanian-speaking education during broader European modernization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since the late 20th century, gjimnazes have been integrated into public education systems and, in many places, complemented by private or independent schools.

Variations of the term exist across the region, including gimnaz, gimnazi, or gjimnazi, reflecting local orthography. While the spellings differ, the institution type is generally understood as the general secondary school that emphasizes preparation for higher education rather than vocational training.