Onassis Public Schools

Open to students who dare to dream and to teachers who never stop inspiring, the Onassis Public Schools will offer more than 22,000 students across Greece, over the course of twelve years, the experience of the public school we envision for the future: high-quality, innovative, and rooted in equal opportunity.

Since the signing of the agreement between the Hellenic Republic and the Onassis Foundation in January 2025, the Onassis Public Schools have been developing a new network of model public schools with a strong social focus. Aiming to upgrade public education, particularly in areas facing social and economic challenges, 22 middle and high schools across the country are being gradually transformed into modern, creative, and inclusive learning environments that adopt contemporary pedagogical and operational models.

The Onassis Public Schools are redesigning public education with renovated infrastructure and equipment, laboratories, innovative curricula, and afternoon Clubs and Ensembles that foster creativity, innovation, and free thinking. Emphasis is placed on fields such as STEAM, the humanities, the arts, and digital technologies, cultivating skills essential for the twenty-first century. All schools in the network operate under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, while a special nine-member Governing Committee (Onassis Public Schools Governing Committee) monitors their operation to ensure the credibility and quality of the educational work.

As part of the donation, the Onassis Foundation undertakes: i) To cover the costs of the necessary equipment and infrastructure upgrades for the existing school units selected for inclusion in the network. ii) To cover the costs of providing the Public Onassis Schools, teachers, and students with the necessary material resources to support and upgrade the educational work. iii) All relevant costs for the organization and participation of teaching staff in any form of special training programs in Greece or abroad, in addition to those provided or organized by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports or the Institute of Educational Policy or the European Union. iv) The remuneration for additional service of teaching and other staff of the Public Onassis Schools.

The donation contract for the establishment of the Public Onassis Schools was signed on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the Maximos Mansion by the then Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, and the President of the Onassis Foundation, Anthony S. Papadimitriou, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The meeting was attended by other government officials concerned and members of the Onassis Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Since September 2025, the first 12 school units have been fully operational:

• 52nd DAYTIME HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF ATHENS [Kolonos, Region of Attica]
• 52nd DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF ATHENS [Kolonos, Region of Attica]
• 3rd DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF ACHARNES [Menidi, Region of Attica]
• 7th DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF ACHARNES [Menidi, Region of Attica]
• 5th DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF PERISTERI [Peristeri, Region of Attica]
• 5th DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF PERISTERI—"ODYSSEAS ELYTIS” [Peristeri, Region of Attica]
• 12th DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF THESSALONIKI [Xirokrini, Region of Central Macedonia]
• 16th DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF THESSALONIKI—“PERICLES STEFANIDIS” [Xirokrini, Region of Central Macedonia]
• 3rd DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF KOZANI [Region of Western Macedonia]
• 3rd DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF KOZANI [Region of Western Macedonia]
• 1st DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF XANTHI [Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace]
• 2nd DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF XANTHI [Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace]

From September 2026, the following 8 school units will begin operating:

• 7th DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF AIGALEO [Aigaleo, Region of Attica]
• 3rd DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF AIGALEO [Aigaleo, Region of Attica]
• 1st DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF RHODES [Rhodes, Region of Southern Aegean]
• 3rd DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF RHODES [Rhodes, Region of Southern Aegean]
• 9th DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF HERAKLION [Heraklion, Region of Crete]
• 10th DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF HERAKLION [Heraklion, Region of Crete]
• 2nd DAYTIME MIDDLE SCHOOL (GYMNASIO) OF PYRGOS, ILIA [Pyrgos, Region of Western Greece]
• 2nd DAYTIME GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL (LYKEIO) OF PYRGOS, ILIA [Pyrgos, Region of Western Greece]

The Public Onassis Schools serve, together with the other schools, the purposes of secondary education. In addition, their mission is in particular:

(i) implementing

• the principles and guidelines of the 21st-century modern school with an emphasis on humanities, STEM, social sciences, fine arts, digital literacy, and emotional and social intelligence to cultivate well-rounded, democratic citizens
• innovative educational programs using experiential teaching methods and other cutting-edge teaching practices and activities

(ii) providing

• high-quality free public education aimed at the comprehensive, well-rounded, and balanced development and culture of students
• the possibility of digital, remote, and hybrid learning

(iii) promoting

• dialogue, free-thinking, equality, and respect for diversity in all its forms
• scientific research in education and its practical applications through collaboration with other educational and social organizations, in the teaching of individual subjects, in the psycho-pedagogical field, as well as in the organization, administration, evaluation, and management of relations at the level of the school unit
• training students in digital technology and artificial intelligence
• creativity, innovation, and excellence both through the compulsory daily program and the extracurricular courses of the Groups and Clusters

(iv) encouraging multilingualism.

Groups

A Group is an organized set of students formed under the guidance of a teacher of appropriate qualification for the purpose of engaging in specific activities beyond the compulsory curriculum. Groups cover subject areas such as mathematics, STEM, computer science and digital technology, humanities, particularly modern and ancient Greek language and literature, foreign languages and literature, history, rhetoric/oratory, environmental education, as well as other fields such as visual arts, music, theater, and sports.

In the context of their operation, Groups may:

• undertake innovative actions
• carry out remedial teaching
• provide in-depth teaching and preparation for the national (Panhellenic) examinations.

Clusters

A Cluster, especially a music or theater ensemble, is an organized set of students working together under the guidance of a teacher of appropriate qualification to perform an artistic work.

Clusters aim to create or perform one or more artistic works, particularly works of music, theater, performing arts, devised, or others.

The students at the Public Onassis Schools choose the Groups and Clusters in which they wish to participate from among those offered by the school unit they attend, by decision of the Director, after consultation with the competent Educational Work Coordinator.

Participation of the students in the Groups and Clusters is mandatory for at least ten educational hours per week throughout the school year.

By the decision of the school’s Principal and after advisory by the competent Educational Work Coordinator of the Public Onassis School, students attending other public schools in the vicinity may enroll in the Groups or Clusters at the request of their parents/guardians/custodians, provided there are vacancies.

By the decision of the Public Onassis School’s Principal, students who, having applied, do not participate or whose participation is not efficient may be removed.

No school units are abolished

Existing schools are upgraded and integrated into a unified network of Onassis Public Schools, expanding educational opportunities for every student living in these areas.

Teachers retain their permanent positions

Teachers are given priority placement with a permanent position in a neighboring school unit and, if they wish, may remain at an Onassis Public School for two years, retaining the right to continue at the same school unit after completing professional development programs.

Teaching and working hours are not increased

Teachers participating in Groups and Clusters receive additional remuneration from the Onassis Foundation of up to €320 for 6 hours per week. Furthermore, they are offered access to professional development programs.

Priority to the local community

Between 40% and 60% of students come from the municipal district or municipality in which each Onassis Public School operates. Students from other schools in the area are also given the opportunity to participate in the Groups and Clusters.

No student is removed

Students already enrolled in an Onassis Public School will remain in their school until graduation, while there is provision for the exceptional admission of their younger siblings. Entrance examinations are held only for admission to the first year of middle school and the first year of high school.

They are public schools

Onassis Public Schools form a unified network of school units supervised by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports. Pedagogical, scientific, and educational oversight is exercised by a nine-member Governing Committee, while administrative oversight falls under the competent Director of Education.

Education is completely free of charge

No tuition fees are required for attendance at Onassis Public Schools or for participation in Groups and Clusters.

School units upgrade

Onassis Public Schools are equipped with cutting-edge technology, upgraded laboratories, and renovated buildings, creating an environment that enhances students’ educational experience.

Onassis Public Schools are inclusive

Support is provided through integration classes or parallel support for students with special educational needs, as well as guidance from psychologists and social workers.

Remedial teaching & support for the Panhellenic examinations

Remedial teaching is offered to students preparing for the Panhellenic examinations, along with additional support across all grades, aiming to improve learning outcomes.

Groups and Clusters that broaden horizons…

...in fields such as science, the Greek language, digital technology, foreign languages, the arts, culture, and sports.

Entrance examinations that go beyond knowledge alone

Entrance examinations emphasize the skills students have acquired during their time at school.

Free preparation for admission to Onassis Public Schools

Students in sixth grade of elementary school and third grade of middle school can prepare effectively for entrance examinations free of charge through the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports’ Digital Tutoring platform.