On 6 October 2026, construction began on a new multifunctional building for the GAELY grammar school and economics lyceum in Vysočany, Prague 9, marked by a ceremonial laying of the foundation stone [1]. The building is rising next to the Pan-European University building, completed in 2025, and is to become part of an emerging educational campus on the site of a former brownfield [1].
Expanding Capacity
At the time construction began, the GAELY grammar school and economics lyceum had more than 150 students enrolled, with the school opening two grammar-school classes and one economics-lyceum class each year [1][2]. After completion of the new building, planned for summer 2028, the school's capacity is expected to expand to as many as 360 students [1][2]. The new building is to offer a cafeteria, a gymnasium, a fitness room and a rooftop playground [1][2].
Architecture and Ownership of the Complex
The complex is owned by PROSPERITA holding, whose board chairman Miroslav Kurka said the aim is to create “a genuine educational campus that will provide quality facilities for students from secondary school all the way through university education” [1]. He recalled that construction of the first building in the complex began in 2023 and described it as “the first step towards its gradual revitalization” [1]. The new school building is being built by ABP HOLDING. Its board chairman Jiří Procházka said the architectural design “will respect the industrial character of the original complex while also linking it to the neighbouring university building,” and that the two buildings are connected by a facing-brick facade [1][2].
Secondary School Capacity in Prague
Prague 9 Mayor Tomáš Portlík (ODS) said at the start of construction that private secondary schools “deserve enormous thanks for helping to increase capacity, which is unfortunately very insufficient in the capital city” [1]. He added that places also need to be increased at public schools, and mentioned that in this regard he had helped expand Litoměřická grammar school and was preparing the construction of Elektra grammar school [1]. Portlík also pointed out that Prague 13 Mayor David Vodrážka was taking a similar approach, with the district's first municipally established grammar school due to open there next year [1][2]. According to Pražský deník, the shortage of places at Prague grammar schools is a long-standing problem linked to population growth as well as to students commuting from the Central Bohemian Region [2]. According to the same source, Education Minister Robert Plaga (ANO) said that private schools, together with church-run schools, account for about half of the capacity of four-year grammar schools in Prague [2].
Related articles: GAELY, Praha 9, Vysočany
Chronology
- — Construction began in Vysočany in Prague 9 on a new building for the GAELY grammar school and economics lyceum, which is meant to raise the school's capacity to up to 360 students and be finished in summer 2028. Pražský patriot Pražský deník
Sources
- Pražský patriot — 5 October 2026
- Pražský deník — 19 September 2026