Of course we can’t describe our school without mentioning our beautiful city, called Burgas! Burgas is the fourth-largest city in Bulgaria and is called “the Bulgarian San Francisco”. It’s situated in the eastern part of the country and located at the westernmost point of The Black Sea. The city is very beautiful with its beaches, the Sea garden, the old buildings, the shopping centers and it's unique atmosphere.

Burgas has the largest and most important Bulgarian port. But despite being an industrial city, Burgas also provides many interesting things you can do here. The Sea garden is a perfect place for people to have a walk, relax or have fun. The most romantic and beautiful place in the garden, as well as in the city, is the bridge. It’s the most visited place here even in the winter when the snow makes it look like a place from a fairytale.

Another wonderful place in Burgas is the center. It consists mainly of two very long streets crowded with people, called Alexandrovska and Bogoridi, the second of which leads to the sea garden. There are many shopping centers, cafes, bars, restaurants, discos and fountains. In the summer Burgas is a big tourist center, because of the wonderful beach and the gorgeous scenery. People from all over Europe come here to relax and enjoy the beauty of Burgas Bay.

Our school is situated in the center of the city, which allows the students to relax and go out with friends after classes. Just before the school year is over, some students even go straight to the beach after school, which really helps after a long day of tests and studying hard!

Currently in the High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Burgas there are four major areas of specialization: Mathematics with English Language and Computer Studies; Mathematics with German Language and Computer Studies; Computer Studies with English Language and Mathematics; and Biology and Chemistry with English Language. Each year 156 students who have achieved competitive, and many of whom – the highest possible, scores on the national post-secondary school examinations are admitted.

All students admitted after seventh grade at High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Burgas are obliged to go through a five-year course of education including an eighth grade (with an intensive course in English or German), followed by ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade levels. The courses in Mathematics include a large number of additional classes, most of which on an advanced level, since most of the students are among the best young mathematicians on local and national rank.

The English Language courses at the school are also very intensive. All students take a language exam after completing eighth grade. Most students take extracurricular courses to pass internationally recognized English exams, such as Cambridge First Certificate in English and Certificate of Advanced English, as well as the American exams TOEFL and SAT.

At present 36 classes with different specialities from V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII grades are taught at the school, which all together makes over 1000 students. The management consists of 1 headmaster, 3 deputies and 66 teachers, half of whom have graduated the High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Burgas themselves.

During its 35-year history, High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Burgas has taken pride in its competition teams, who have attained highest places on national level. The students of the school are regular participants and most often the prize-winners at national Olympiads and competitions in Mathematics, Computer Studies and Computer Technology, Physics, English, Biology, Chemistry, Philosophy and Bulgarian Language and Literature, which brought the school more than 420 awards! Here you can download the full list of them!

The intensive courses in mathematics, the number of extracurricular classes and a special syllabus for work with children talented in mathematics, as well as the highly experienced teaching staff, provide conditions for undeniable future success. Over 98% of our senior students (99% for those from Mathematics/English Language) continue their studies at colleges and universities in Bulgaria and abroad. Some of them are admitted without entry examinations on the basis of their previous academic achievements. About 15% of our senior students are admitted to prestigious educational institutions abroad.

High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Burgas is a high-profile school in Bulgaria and is well-known in many universities in the world, as is evident from the annual correspondence with universities such as Oxford University, Harvard, Stanford University, MIT, NYU, Colgate University, American Universities worldwide and many others. It has always been and will continue to be respected as a school of talented!

We are all extremely proud to be students in such an elite and prestigious school as the High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics "Akademic Nikola Obreshkov" Burgas!

Except for the notable mathematical and science achievements, our school is also proud of it's numerous sports talents! Since the school was founded, the students have been winning many awards at basketball, volleyball , table tennis, handball and chess tournaments among local schools. Here you can download the full list of the sports achievements of the students!

The school has four ping-pong tables, some fitness apparatuses, an inside and an outside volleyball playgrounds, a football pitch and three outside basketball courts, along with the inside gym, which contains eight basketball baskets. Also, this year a brand new running track was built outside. But what would all these sports facilities mean without someone to help get the best out of them?

That's why we're all proud of our our PE teachers, who have been giving great support to our champions through the years! Thank you:
Bogdan Kehayov, Petar Boev, Katya Chernikova, Svetla Petkanova and Krasimira Yaneva!

Being a school of gifted mathematicians and physicists doesn't in the least of it deprive our school of talented writers, painters, photographers, musicians and actors! Here you can read the translations of two poems, written by students of the school and at the side you can see just some of the numerous painting and photos, our classmates have made!

The school's building was built in the 70s in order to be used by the new-found Maths High School in Burgas. It was used by purpose until in 1988 the school moves into the building of the "Miladinovi Brothers" primary school. It wasn't until 11th of September 1991 when the school returns to its old building, which it currently shares with The Roman Languages High School "Georgi Sava Rakovski" (The French High School).

The school's building has 4 floors plus a ground floor and a courtyard. When you first enter the main door of the building, to the left you can see a small room, where the guards usually stay and check anyone that may seem suspicious. They are also not allowed to let students in without their uniforms on or at the time when the classes are running.

When you pass the entry hall, in front of you you can see the stairs and to the left- the cafeteria. Here you can eat the most delicious pastries and pizzas in the whole world! When they bake them, the aroma spreads over the whole school and makes you want the classes to end as soon as possible and you just dream to go down and buy some. Also, from this year on, nothing unhealthy is sold in the cafeteria- coke, chips and snacks are all out of the meal!

If you turn right at the entrance you will see a long hall. Walk down it and to the right you'll find the medical office. Here you can come if you feel ill during the classes and the complaisant nurse would be happy to help you or send you home for the rest of the day.

When you pass the med's office you'll reach the libraries of both the Maths and the French High Schools. Here you can borrow any book you need for your classes in case, of course, that you return it back in time!

Opposite the library is the Audience Chamber. In it there is a small stage, a TV with a DVD, a piano and a presentation wall so any important events as giving awards to students, voting for the uniforms, presenting students' books or exhibitions, discussing a problem or watching some videos related to a class take place here.

At the right end of the hall you can find the gym. There are 4 table-tennis tables in front of the door, where usually, even during breaks, there are many students playing. In the gym you can play basketball, football, volleyball or feather ball- it's all up to you... or your PE teacher!

Opposite the gym door there are stairs again. Take them and you'll find yourself on first floor, right next to the deputy-headmaster's office. On this floor you can also find all of the computing rooms, which have been just donated with new computers thanks to a student, who has won an international competition. Along with the computing rooms, there are also plenty of class rooms on this floor.

On the second floor, along with some more class rooms, you can find the teachers' room, where no students are allowed, the headmaster's office and the music room, where Missis Tagavova teaches singing and music history. Next to the music is the office. Here you can give or take your documents, taxes of any sort (for competitions for instance) or just take some extra chalk or markers for the board!

At the end of the hall on this floor, as well as on every other floor, you can find the toilets, equipped with brand new washbasins, mirrors and lavatory pans.

On the third floor you can find the school's psychologist. If you feel insecure, unsure, stressed or just troubled, here is the perfect place for you! The school's psychologist also helps solving the problems with tough students or the ones that need special treatment.

Uniforms
Since 2008 our school was one of the first ones in Burgas, in which the students are obliged to wear uniforms. In order to be modern and comfortable but also stylish and formal in the same time, the uniforms were chosen with a contest, in which participants were the students themselves, so anyone who wanted could take part and present their idea of how the school uniforms should look. The teachers collective chose the 5 best projects and gave the students the right to vote for the one they like the best. At the moment the students from VIII to XII grade wear the model that won first place and the students from V to VII grade- the one that won second place.

Flag
The school's flag was chosen on 23th of May 1973. The text is written in golden letters over a red background and it declares "Maths High School Burgas". In the center there is a portrait of Academician Nikola Obreshkov, since he is the school's patron.

Logo
The logo of the school very cleverly presents the school's profile and
precisely pictures its true nature. It represents a student sitting on the Omega letter (often used in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) and leaning over a desk in the shape of the radical sign (also referring to Mathematics). The head of the student is actually shown as an atom which one more time gives the idea of the sciences studied in the school and also hints at the fact that students' brains are more complex than they may seem. The inscription once again says: Science and Maths High School "Academician Nikola Obreshkov"

Anthem
The anthem of the school was written in 1981 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the school's foundation. The text is by Boris Buhchev and the music is composed by Konstantin Tashev. Please click the Play button of the tape to the right to hear a pop version of the anthem. You can find the English-translated lyrics below:

Every year the school organizes an excursion for several days, on which we go every year to a different place. The excursions are the most awaited period of the year. We always spend our time wonderfully and we laugh a lot. We go to some interesting places in Bulgaria (Tryavna, Pamporovo, Borovets and many more) and occasionally- abroad (mostly because of international maths competitions or during the summer vacation).

The school gives us much more than good education- it gives us lifetime friends! That's why we love spending our time together on birthdays, parties, holidays and we often don't even need a special occasion to go out and have some fun! We are all much more than friends or classmates in our school- we are one big family!

Halloween (October 31)
Although it is neither a Bulgarian nor even an Orthodox holiday, Halloween is quickly gaining popularity in most English studying schools in Bulgaria. Every year students of our school are eager to choose their costumes and accessories for the holiday, since an annual contest for the most original costume and the best decorated pumpkin is held, which guarantees many awards and funny moments. After the prizes have been given, the students with the scariest costumes go to every room in the school so that all the evil spirits can be scared away. Of course, the traditional "Trick or treat" phrase is present, so anyone who likes may support the exorcists with some candy!

Christmas (December 25)
Probably one of the most important religious holidays in Bulgaria is Christmas. In our school we celebrate it with a Christmas show, which is usually held one or two days before the actual Christmas day. Anyone who wants can take part as long as they're good at singing, dancing, acting, drawing or just in having fun! Our school has collected unique talents from all these spheres and many more at sports and science, of course.
A week before the show, a giant present box is put in the school's hall, where everyone can leave a small present or a greeting card for someone they care about and on the day of the Christmas show Snow White delivers the surprises to the lucky students. Every year in each class a game called "Secret Santa" is played. All the students put their names in a box and then drag a name out. On the day before Christmas they put a present for the person, whose name they've got, underneath the Christmas tree, without leaving a card with their names on it, so that it's not known who the present is from. As you've probably already guessed, all the school's halls and rooms are properly decorated and in the school's hall, right before the front door, a big beautifully decorated Christmas tree welcomes the students and brings them into the Christmas mood.

Easter
Since Easter is not a school day, an Easter show is organized before the holiday. It's mostly like the Christmas one, except for the Spring atmosphere and Easter-themed decoration. Many talented dancing groups and singers take part in the show, which contributes to its great success. Some students from the school, usually girls, dress up like rabbits and give away colourful Easter eggs and wishing cards. After the holiday is over, the students bring to school the strongest egg from home and then play egg tapping with each other and a winner is chosen that way. Everyone except the winner gets to eat their eggs after that, of course :)

Valentine's Day/Trifon Zarezan (February 14)
Since both the Catholic holiday Valentine's Day and the Bulgarian holiday Trifon Zarezan share the same date- 14th of February, so people can enjoy celebrating both holidays in the same time, which, as you may find, isn't so hard to do after all. Trifon Zarezan is the traditional Bulgarian holiday of vine-growers and more importantly wine, which fits perfectly for couples in love on a romantic dinner or picnic. But since most of the students in our school are still too young to drink, we only celebrate Valentine's Day. A week before the holiday a box for Valentine love cards is put in the hall, so that anyone who wants may send a message to the person they adore, love or even just like as a friend.

The Slavic Script and Culture day (May 24)
Being the only holiday dedicated to our alphabet, 24th of May is one of the most honored holidays in Bulgaria. On that day our school, along with every other school in every other town, comes together in the center of the town with many bouquets and flower wreaths. After that the students and the teachers parade in the center of the town until they reach the monument of the creators of the Slavic alphabet- St. Cyril and St. Methodius, located in the Sea Garden. Every student is proud to be part of this ritual, especially the ones honoured to wear an "excellent student" sign while marching!

Being students of The Science and Maths High School, Burgas we can't miss the chance to say a few words about our classes! So lets start with VIII b!

There are 28 people in our class, as most of us have been in it since 2005 (IV grade), when we sat for a Maths exam. Two classes were formed back then- "a" and "b", and luckily we turned out to be in one of them. Then there were a few changes in sixth grade- a new student, called Dimo, arrived, because of his performance in a maths competition and another one, called Angel, who had been absent for half a school year due to a disease, had to repeat the grade.

In VII grade a transfer student from Kazakhstan, named Iliyas, came to our class. He had studied in a maths high-school back in his country but then his father moved to work in Burgas for two years, so he had to come and live with him.

This year we had 7 new classmates and 5 who left our class-2 of them (named Maria and Aleksandar) went to different schools, Iliyas went back to his country a year earlier than he was supposed to, and the last two (named Elena and Pavel Kosev) moved to different classes. Except for theses changes, our class is still the same as it was before and that makes it a lot easier to get along, even with the newbies. We’ve got used to the school and so we can easily help the new people to adapt.

In the few years we’ve been through, we have had many quarrels and there are still, probably, many more to come, but they’ll simply make our class stronger. We’ve had discipline problems the first two years, for instance, but we successfully got over them.

Our class has gone to a few school trips and Maths competitions in different cities, which contributed to the uniting of our class. Our best Maths talents are Dian Popov, Anastas Vasilev, Pavel Kishev, Iva Aleksieva and Dimitar Iliev. Dian Popov and Anastas have participated in several international competitions. Each one of us has won several prizes and has had excellent performances through the years. We're hoping that this year won't make an exception! Denica, Stoyan, Pavel Kishev, Dimitar, Simeon, Iva, Zornica, Dora are part of this project!