Prince Józef Poniatowski V General Secondary School in Warsaw

V Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Księcia Józefa Poniatowskiego w Warszawie, popularly known as Poniatówka, was founded on September 1, 1918, as the Royal Polish School for Former Soldiers. The school is located at 8 Nowolipie Street in Warsaw's Muranów district and has changed its location several times over the years before settling in its current building, which previously housed an elementary school. After the outbreak of World War II, classes continued until November 15, 1939, after which the school became a center for secret education. During the occupation, students were involved in underground activities, and after the war, education continued under difficult conditions. In 1945, the school resumed its activities, drawing on its historical traditions and achievements. V LO has gained a reputation as an institution with high academic standards, achieving success in subject Olympiads, including chemistry and physics, as well as in theater competitions. The school also had an active volunteer organization, VoLOntariat, which engaged students in helping those in need. In 2007, during the construction of a new sports hall, 35 unexploded ordnance from the war were discovered on the school grounds, highlighting the rich, though dramatic, historical context of this institution. Students and alumni of the school have won numerous awards and achievements in various fields, becoming part of a well-known group of prominent figures, including soldiers of the Home Army, explorers, scientists, and artists. Poniatówka has its own holidays and traditions, such as the oath-taking ceremony for first-year students and the celebration of the school's patron day, which contribute to its cultural atmosphere. The school also boasts a rich library, which has been systematically growing since 1934 and now holds 18,000 books, periodicals, and other educational materials. V LO im. Księcia Józefa Poniatowskiego is an institution that combines tradition with modernity, educating young generations in the spirit of patriotism and social responsibility.