Alborz High School () is a college-preparatory gifted high school located in the heart of Tehran, Iran. It is one of the first modern high schools in Asia and the Middle East, named after the Alborz mountain range, north of Tehran. Its place in the shaping of Iran's intellectual elite compares with that of Eton College in England and institutions such as Phillips Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy, and Milton Academy in the United States.

History

The school was founded as an elementary school in 1873 by a group of American Presbyterian missionaries led by James Bassett. This was in the 26th year of the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, 22 years after Amir Kabir founded the Dar ul-Funun in Tehran, and 33 years before the Persian Constitutional Revolution.

When Dr. Samuel M. Jordan arrived in Iran in 1898, he instituted change; subsequently, Alborz became a 12-year elementary and secondary school, with its share of college courses. Thereafter, the institution came to be known as the American College of Tehran.

Dr. Jordan remained president of Alborz for 42 years (1899–1940). During his tenure, Alborz grew from an elementary school to a high school and a college.

In 1932, the school received a permanent charter from the Board of Regents of the State University of New York.

thumb|McCormick Hall, American College of Tehran, circa 1930. The school received a permanent charter from the Board of Regents of the [[University of the State of New York in 1932.

Mandegar Title

In Iran, schools and educational centers that have been operating for more than 80 years and have good records of educating students are granted the Mandegar prefix (Persian: ماندگار, meaning: lasting) by the Iran Ministry of Education. Mandegar prefix was granted to Alborz High School in 2006 according to the conditions set by the IRI Ministry of Education.

Structure

Alborz High School is a public school and is managed by a special board of directors that includes the heads of the IRI Ministry of Education and the head of the Education, Research and Technology Commission of the IRI Council along with number of other officials of Iran.

Alborz High School has 4 majors: Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Physics, Humanities and Literature, and Humanities and Theology at the high school level. Each field has a different building with experienced high-ranking teachers and supervisors who specialize in educational goals.

Honours and Alumni

Alborz students have won more than 300 medals in the International Science Olympiads and scientific competitions.

Admission

According to the special goals of the school, prospective students must meet entrance exam requirements before being allowed to enroll in the school.

These conditions are:

  • Excellent academic records and high grades in elementary and middle school
  • Excellent scientific records and appropriate experience in the fields of Olympiads, competitions and festivals
  • Obtaining the quorum in the exam (above 75%) on the condition of obtaining the minimum admission rank in the each special major entrance exam: 150 (Natural Sciencec), 300 (Mathematics and Physics), 120 (Humanities)

If the above items are accepted:

  • Accepted in the scientific interview
  • Accepted in the cultural-religious interview
  • Accepted in the specialized interview of the continuing education program

After the initial admission, the students enter the summer program. This program lasts for 5 weeks and the students are evaluated under the supervision of a group of academic advisors and high school education specialists; if students get the minimum grade (60% B) in «natural sciences» and «mathematics and physics». or (50% C) in «humanities», their acceptance will be final approval. Top students are exempted from this condition in initial admission, but they are required to participate in the summer program.]]

Elmialborz was a group that was formed by the first secondary (middle school) students of Alborz High School and from a student group it was able to reach a scientific and educational institution with more than 250 active members in several countries.

Foundation

thumb|Booklet of Elmialborz Laws First handwrite edition

In November 2017, after completing the writing of the Law of the Science Group of Alborz at the monthly meeting of the members of the Alborz Student Council, the scientific committee of the Student Council officially announced the start of the activity of this group.

This turned a small group into a free educational institution for the public, and through the association of the Higher Scientific Committee, it was able to establish connections with other schools and institutions in other cities and provinces.

Facilities and Buildings

;Sources

Politicians

;Sources

  • Caro Lucas (1949–2010), scientist
  • Abbas Edalat, professor of computer sciences
  • Houchang E. Chehabi (born 1954), professor of international relations and history
  • Cumrun Vafa (born 1960), string theorist
  • Farzad Nazem (born 1960), former CTO of Yahoo!
  • Houman Younessi (1963–2016), professor of computer science
  • Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh (born 1963), scientist and physician
  • Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh (born 1971), scientist and inventor
  • Ramin Golestanian, theoretical physicist

Artists

;Sources

800px|thumb|center|A picture of the back of the central building

See also

  • Dar ol-Fonoon
  • Education in Iran
  • Higher education in Iran
  • Razi High School
  • Christianity in Iran

References