The Piarist school complex in Vienna’s Josefstadt district is marking its 325th anniversary this year. Founded on November 16, 1701, the institution—comprising the Piaristenvolksschule Maria Treu and the Piaristengymnasium—remains one of the oldest active educational sites in the city. The milestone celebrates a history that evolved from a small suburban schoolhouse into a significant influence on the Austrian education system.
Origins in the Josefstadt District
When the Piarist order established the school in 1701, the Josefstadt was a newly developing suburb of Vienna. The facility initially split its curriculum into two branches: a three-class “niedere deutsche” school focused on reading, writing, and arithmetic, and a two-class “lateinische” school. The German-language school opened with 378 students, while the higher Latin school served 75 pupils.
Did You Know? The Piarists began offering free education to children from impoverished families as early as 1732, acting on the principles of their order’s founder, Josef Calasanz, who opened the first free school for the poor in Rome in 1597.
Influence on Austrian Educational Reform
The Piarists’ impact on schooling extended far beyond their own classrooms. During the 18th century, the order operated approximately two dozen gymnasiums in the Austrian province. Empress Maria Theresia frequently consulted the Piarists on educational policy, and the 1764 school ordinance for the Habsburg lands was significantly based on proposals by Piarist Pater Gratian Marx.
The 1850 school reform—which introduced the eight-class gymnasium structure, the specialist teacher system, and the Matura exam—was also heavily influenced by the ideas of Piarist Pater Franz Innozenz Lang. These historical contributions solidified the order’s role as a primary architect of the middle-school education system in Austria.
Administrative shifts shape centuries of school history
The school’s administrative status has shifted over the centuries. In 1870, the gymnasium was nationalized during a reform period, while the Volksschule was later taken over by the City of Vienna in 1871. Since 1925, the order has once again operated the Volksschule as a private institution.
The closure of the Volksschule during World War II and the 1944 shutdown of the gymnasium, following the 1938 exclusion of Jewish students, highlight the political and societal upheavals the school experienced before its reopening in 1945.
Today, the Piarists continue their educational mission at Maria Treu with a twelve-class Volksschule, a seven-group kindergarten, and three childcare groups. Currently, 14 Piarists operate across four locations in Austria, including a secondary site in the fourth district of Vienna and student pastoral care in Krems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pedagogical focus of the Piarist schools?
The schools follow the guiding principle “Pietas et litterae” (Faith and Knowledge), established by order founder Josef Calasanz. This approach emphasizes holistic education, combining academic subjects with moral and religious instruction.
When did the gymnasium begin admitting female students?
The gymnasium, which was reopened in 1945 after the Second World War, began accepting female students in 1948.
What is the global reach of the Piarist educational network?
The order currently operates educational facilities in 43 countries. Approximately 1,400 members of the order are involved in these efforts, with a primary focus on providing education to children in need.
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