Chengdu Shishi High School

Chengdu Shishi High School 石室中学
Location
Chengdu, Sichuan,  People's Republic of China
Information
Established	143–141 BC, 194 AD, 1661
President	Jian Tian
Campus	Urban
Nickname	Wenweng Shishi 文翁石室, Chengdu No. 4 Middle School 成都四中
Website	http://www.cdshishi.net/

Chengdu Shishi High School (Simplified Chinese: 石室中学，文翁石室, pinyin: shíshì zhōngxúe, wén wēng shíshì) is a state secondary school in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China. It stands on the site of the first local Chinese public school, founded in the Han Dynasty between 143 BC and 141 BC by Wén Wēng (文翁). Shishi, which in Chinese means "Stone House", refers to the original construction.

History

In Chengdu between the years 143 and 141 BC, Wén Wēng (文翁) established the first local Chinese public school. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Chengdu and the school were devastated by fire. The school was rebuilt in 194 AD. The school continued through the Northern Song Dynasty, but by the late Ming Dynasty only rubble remained.

In 1661 a government school was established on the site, and became the leading school in Sichuan. Shishi Middle School became Chengdu Normal School (成都师范学堂) under the new educational system introduced in 1902 and then became Chengdu Middle School (成都府中学) in 1904. It was renamed again to Chengdu Shishi Middle School (成都石室中学) in February 1940, and in mid-1948 was identified as a model for secondary schools nationwide.

In September 1952, after the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the school changed its name to Chengdu No. 4 Middle School (成都第四中学). During the Cultural Revolution the school was devastated for the third time; none of the Qing Dynasty buildings still exist. It returned to its former name in April 1983.

Shishi ranks among the top 100 middle schools in China. Competition among junior middle school students in Chengdu for entry into the school is intense. For many students, acceptance into Shishi is an honor rivaling university acceptance and provides an opportunity to receive above average instruction in core classes. Most Shishi students scored among the top 10% of their peers on the junior middle school exit exam.

Notable alumni

• Guo Moruo 郭沫若: scientist, sociologist, former dean of Chinese Academy of Sciences, former vice-chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
• Li Yimang 李一氓: revolutionist
• Wu Guozhen 吴国桢: former Shanghai mayor
• Ma Zhiming 马志明: mathematician
• He Lin 贺麟: philosopher
• Li Jieren 李劼人: litterateur, former Chengdu mayor

See also

• List of the oldest schools in the world

Coordinates: 30°39′17″N 104°03′20″E / 30.65472°N 104.05556°E / 30.65472; 104.05556