The school of Blessed Theophilius Matulionis was created in 1993. It was then called „Versmė” (The Source). It was the fruit of the dreams and the hard work of Alvyra Galkienė, Doctor of Educational Sciences and a few parents. At that time, Lithuania, which had just regained its independence, was in the process of renewing and modernizing the school system. The idea, innovative at the time, which presided over the creation of the school was that pupils with physical or intellectual handicaps, or learning disabilities can integrate the course of general education by studying in the same classes as the other students. Another dream was to give the school a Catholic spirit and value system. Thanks to the initiating group the school was founded as a public school, but Cardinal J.A. Bačkis, who strongly supported this vision, sent sisters from the Diocesan Congregation of Christ the King to help with the animation. They thus worked for more than fifteen years in the school which was growing gradually.
A major change took place in 2010 when the school became a private Catholic school. Its founders were the Diocese of Vilnius and the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption.
At the moment there are more than 600 pupils aged 7 to 19. The establishment includes primary, middle and high school. In each class a few students with special needs are integrated. There are also two special classes for pupils with more severe disabilities or learning difficulties.
The educational team includes well-qualified and experienced teachers, open to innovations, new projects and collaboration as well as specialists (psychologist, speech therapist etc.) The school is modernizing, it is being equipped with a new laboratory and an ICT center.
We pay a lot of attention to the development of emotional intelligence, to self-knowledge and to education in values, which takes place particularly through pastoral activities. The school has a place of non-formal education in Balingradas, a small village 40 km from Vilnius. It is a space for lessons in a non-academic, “green” setting, for group forming outings at the beginning of the year, for summer camps, etc.
The other priority of the school is Christian education, based on the educational tradition of the Religious of the Assumption and the conviction that „each of us has a mission on this earth”. This is closely linked to the school’s motto since its foundation: „There are no non-gifted children!” „
If you wish to contact the educational community, you can write to the projects coordinator, Kristina Rankelytė : kristina.rankely@ptmg.lt