Athletic Gymnasiums

Currently 5 Athletic Gymnasiums (http://www.schools.ac.cy/athlitika_scholeia.html)
are operating in Cyprus in the major cities of the island with 403 students registered in 19 sports.
They all follow the program of the regular Gymnasiums, with the only exception that they have a few hours per week to practice.
During his/her study the student should satisfy the following criteria:

1. A 15/20 grade point average
2. Excellent behavior.
3. Participation in competitions and championships of schools and federations.
4. Participation in the afternoon training of his team.
5. Individual Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Pancyprian Championships of school and other games.
6. Team Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Cyprus Championships with at least 50% participation in all competitions of the year he/she enrolls or two national team competitions.

Athletic Lyceums
Currently 5 Athletic Lyceums (http://www.schools.ac.cy/athlitika_scholeia.html) are operating in Cyprus in the major cities of the island with 476 students enrolled in 19 sports.
They all follow the program of the regular Lyceums, with the only exception that they have a few hours per week to practice.
The students need to satisfy the following prerequisites in order to be enrolled in the athletic schools:

1. Individual Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Pancyprian Championships of school and other games.
2. Team Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Cyprus Championships with at least 50% participation in all competitions of the year he/she enrolls or two national team competitions.
3. Participation in an Olympic sport
4. Participation in clubs subject to sports federations.

During his/her study the student should satisfy the following criteria:

1. A 15/20 grade point average
2. Excellent behavior.
3. Participation in competitions and championships of schools and federations.
4. Participation in the afternoon training of his team.
5. Individual Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Pancyprian Championships of school and other games.
6. Team Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Cyprus Championships with at least 50% participation in all competitions of the year he/she enrolls or two national team competitions.

Musical Gymnasiums
The Musical Gymnasiums (https://mousm.schools.ac.cy/index.php/el/mousika-scholeia)
operate in the 5 free cities of Cyprus in order to bring our country closer to the cultural and musical events of Europe. The quality and remarkable work and the multifaceted contribution of the Musical schools enables their students, as tomorrow's citizens, to contribute to the music and cultural development of our country, while at the same time placing it in a dignified place that will leave it its stigma in the wider world culture.

The Musical Gymnasiums are designed within the existing educational system in the form of an All-Day School. With the expansion of the institution into the Gymnasium cycle, the goal to make six-grade Music Schools has been achieved. Students attend the morning lesson program, with the music class being enhanced in all classes and the remainder of the afternoon specials.

For the operation of the Musical Gymnasiums, the Ministry of Education has provided the necessary laboratory infrastructure in the Gymnasiums and High Schools where the Music Schools are hosted, in particular the Pancyprian Gymnasium and the Acropolis Gymnasium in Nicosia, Lanitio Gymnasium and Lyecum in Limassol, St. George Lyecum and and Drosia Gymnasium in Larnaca, Kokkinochoria Lyceum and Gymnasium in Frenaros(Famagusta), and the Secondary School of Makarios III and Nicolaidio Gymnasium in Paphos.

The Entrance Exams and Hearings for Gymnasium Musical schools are held in the middle of April (time frame varies depending on Easter holiday).

Musical Lyceums
The Musical Lyceums operate in the 5 free cities of Cyprus in order to bring our country closer to the cultural and musical events of Europe. The quality and remarkable work and the multifaceted contribution of the Music Schools enables their students, as tomorrow's citizens, to contribute to the music and cultural development of our country, while at the same time placing it in a dignified place that will leave it its stigma in the wider world culture.

The Musical Lyceums are designed within the existing educational system in the form of an All-Day School. With the expansion of the institution into the Gymnasium cycle, the goal to make six-grade Musical schools has been achieved. Students attend the morning lesson program, with the music class being enhanced in all classes and the remainder of the afternoon specials.

For the operation of the Musical Lyceums, the Ministry of Education has provided the necessary laboratory infrastructure in the Gymnasiums and Lyceums where the Musical schools are hosted, in particular the Pancyprian Gymnasium and the Acropolis Gymnasium in Nicosia, Lanitio Gymnasium and Lyecum in Limassol, St. George Lyecum and andDrosia Gymnasium in Larnaca, Kokkinochoria Lyceum and Gymnasium in Frenaros(Famagusta), and the Secondary School of Makarios III and Nicolaidio Gymnasium in Paphos.

The Entrance Exams and Hearings for Musical Lyceums are held in the middle of April (time frame varies depending on Easter holiday).

The exams for the first grade of the Lyceuminclude a series of musical activities, especially child-friendly, aimed at diagnosing of their musical abilities and prospects. Pre-existing musical knowledge and skills in performing a musical instrument are not prerequisites for admission.

Entrance exams in all Musical Lyceums take place in May - June and include:

• Written exams on theory including all the material of the theory up to the chapter of the concerts (sample essays are provided on the websites of the Music Schools).
• Musical instrument examinations (Candidates present to the Evaluation Committee at least two musical plays at the musical instrument level that they are engaged).
• Melodic and rhythmic perception

All Musical Lyceums offer candidate preparation courses prior to the exam period.

All-Day Schools of Cross-curricular and Interdisciplinary Learning with an emphasis on STEAM and the Greek Language and Culture

Public Education in Cyprus has offered, since 2021, the option of free attendance at Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Learning Gymnasiums, which have been operating in every district since the 2023-2024 school year.  Specifically, the All-Day School operates in The Pancyprian Gymnasium and the Archangelos Gymnasium in Nicosia, in the Laniteio Gymnasium and the Ypsonas Gymnasium in Limassol, in the Evryviadeio Gymnasium in Larnaca, in the Paralimni Gymnasium in Famagusta and in the Nicolaideio Gymnasium in Paphos. 
All-day Schools operate daily except on Wednesdays, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., while on Wednesdays they run from 7:30 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. On weekdays except Wednesdays, the All-day Schools follow the common curriculum of all gymnasiums during morning hours and offer a different curriculum from 2:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. 
The core principles of the All-Day School are interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity and the goal is to cultivate skills such as learning through projects, developing initiative, personal development, and equal collaboration.
The “STEAM” direction (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) aims to develop skills, to engage students in group work requiring technology tool management skills, and to connect knowledge to everyday life problems.
The "Greek Language and Culture" direction (Linguistics, Literature, Folklore, Museum Education, History, Research Methodology) aims to strengthen expression (written and oral) in Modern Greek, study the diachronic evolution of the Greek Language—the highest manifestation of thought—and the history and identity of the Cypriot people. At the same time, it promotes fruitful engagement with culture: the spiritual, material, historical, and artistic achievements of people in Cyprus, Greece, and the world.

Technical Gymnasiums

The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, through the establishment of the Technical Gymnasium, aims to enhance the appeal of technical professions by offering an educational model that connects theory with practice and better prepares students for their future career choices. The implementation of the pilot phase of the Technical Gymnasium, in collaboration with the Directorate of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education began in the 2025–2026 school year. The two participating schools are the Agios Stylianos Gymnasium in Nicosia and the Polemidia Gymnasium in Limassol.

The programme operates in the afternoon, beginning at 13:35 immediately after the end of the morning classes. From 13:35 to 14:00 a free meal is offered to all participating students, followed by two teaching periods of 40 minutes each, from 14:00 to 14:40 and from 14:40 to 15:20.

Students are required to choose between two thematics Directions: the “Engineering Science” Direction and the “Design and Construction” Direction. Teaching in both Directions is based on practical and experiential methods, emphasizing the active participation of students. Students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-life scenarios, developing problem solving and creative thinking skills, and to practice using tools, materials, and construction techniques through laboratory activities. At the same time, the integration of modern technology, such as design software and digital tools, enhance their understanding of technical concepts and their connection to contemporary production needs. Additionally, collaborative work helps students develop communication, teamwork, and organizational skills, which are essential for the comprehensive development of their design and construction abilities.