The Murmellius Gymnasium
The Murmellius Gymnasium is a public-based grammar school. Our school is housed in a beautiful, historic building in the center of Alkmaar.
We are open to every student regardless of beliefs, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, and we offer challenging, high-quality education with ample attention to classical languages and culture.
We challenge our students to make full use of their intellectual capacities inside and outside the classroom. With an extensive range of extracurricular activities, such as excursions, trips, exchanges, and the debate club, we offer our students the opportunity to develop their talent in a creative way.
Students can also participate in a wide range of olympiads, the national Honours Programme for independent grammar schools, or masterclasses at the University of Amsterdam.
Why Murmellius?
Why Gymnasium
Do you have a HAVO/VWO or VWO recommendation? Then you may choose the gymnasium.
Are you curious about the world around you? Or do you occasionally want to know exactly how things work? Do you ever wonder why things are the way they are? Then the gymnasium might be something for you. Many gymnasium students are eager to learn and inquisitive. They enjoy delving deeper into the subject matter or actively researching things that are not in the textbook.
At the gymnasium, you will also take the subjects Greek Language and Culture and Latin Language and Culture. receive in the lower years. In your final year, you will also take final exams in at least one of the two subjects. You will then receive a gymnasium diploma.
Classical languages
When you learn to translate Greek and Latin, you develop the ability to fathom complex texts, a skill that comes in handy for any further studies. The classical texts themselves are at least as valuable: from Homer's heroic tales and Euripides' plays to Plato's philosophical works, Cicero's orations, and the letters of Seneca.
Names like Amazon, Nike, and Spotify? They are directly derived from Greek mythology and language. Medical terms like 'cardio' (heart) or 'derma' (skin) are standard Greek, and legal concepts like 'pro bono' or 'alibi' are simply Latin phrases. Anyone who knows Greek and Latin reads the world differently.
Profiles
In Year 3, you choose from four different profiles:
Nature and Technology (N&T)
Compulsory subjects:
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics B
Nature and Health (N&G)
Compulsory subjects:
Chemistry
Biology
Economy and Society (E&M)
Compulsory subjects:
Economy
History
Culture and Society (C&M)
Compulsory subjects:
History
Heavenly Kingdom days
At Murmellius, we believe it is important that students learn, develop themselves, and discover the world not only in class but also outside of it. Therefore, classes are suspended on a number of days spread throughout the school year, but an alternative program is offered for all classes. These days are named after Jacob Hemelrijk, who was rector of Murmellius in the previous century and meant a great deal to the school.
During the Hemelrijk Days, students visit Museum Boerhaave, Archeon, and Naturalis, among others. In Year 1, you go on an excursion to Artis or the Stadsfabriek, watch a play, or participate in the English language village. In later years, you do an internship, get introduced to water sports, take a guided tour of the Royal Palace on Dam Square… and much more!
Extracurricular activities
Under the name Atelier Hemelrijk, we offer a broad cultural program: from a school band and opera club to an active debate club. Our students also organize IMUNA annually.
We want to send our students out into the wide world not only with a diploma, but also with a backpack full of self-confidence, so that you can successfully continue your journey after Murmellius.
That is also the reason why there are so many extra activities at school, such as the editing of our school newspaper, the Interpres, participation in IMUNA where the United Nations is simulated, and the enrichment project Castalia or HPG for the upper grades.
Enhanced language education
In the lower years, all students receive English at the same level. Subsequently, depending on their level, students are placed in either Cambridge or regular English. Students who have already reached the C1 level in the third year are offered the opportunity to prepare for the highest level, Cambridge Proficiency English (CPE = CEFR level C2). This exam is taken in the fifth year.
In addition, students have the opportunity to obtain internationally recognized German (Goethe) and French (DELF) language diplomas. The students are guided in this process by our own teachers.
What our students say:
Maurits
What I like is that there are so many languages here, such as Latin and Greek. Additionally, the school isn't very big, so you don't get lost easily. One of my favorite subjects is Latin; I really enjoy history and learning about other parts of the world.
Who are we?
All our staff contribute to the gateway to your future. Below, we introduce the school management.
