The history of the creation of the specialized Ukrainian Physics and Mathematics Lyceum (UPML) begins in the second half of the 20th century—a period of rapid development of natural sciences. It was then that the idea of preparing the most talented youth from school emerged, necessitating specialized physics and mathematics education for students. In 1963, academicians O.P. Aleksandrov, V.M. Glushkov, I.K. Kikoin, A.M. Kolmogorov, and M.O. Lavrentiev initiated the opening of the first specialized physics and mathematics schools at leading Soviet universities.

In Ukraine, this idea was implemented by academician V.M. Glushkov and leading scientists from the physics and mechanics-mathematics faculties of Kyiv T.G. Shevchenko University: O.A. Shyshlovskyi, V.A. Vyshenskyi, O.A. Borbat.

The long official name received the informal abbreviation “Forest School,” or “Physmat in Feofania,” based on the location of the first building.

The creation of the Kyiv specialized boarding school solved several important problems at that time:
First, it emphasized and supported the popularity of mathematics and physics in Ukraine.
Second, Kyiv University gained the opportunity to influence the pre-university preparation of its future students, considering the specifics of the faculties where physics and mathematics are taught in depth.
Third, the establishment of a boarding school allowed the most talented children from any corner of Ukraine to be attracted, instilling in them the skills of independent scientific thinking, and equipping them with everything necessary for university courses. The specialized school solved the issue of access to specialized physics and mathematics education for children in rural areas. Every year, school and university teachers search for talented children in the most remote regions of Ukraine and invite them for education.

From the early days of the boarding school, professors and researchers of natural science faculties were involved in teaching, leading clubs and elective courses, and teaching special courses—Professors Shyshlovskyi O.A., Kovantsov M.I., Charin V.S., Kaluzhnin L.A., Mykhailovskyi V.I., Associate Professors Borbat O.M., Kucherenko Ye.M., Vyshenskyi V.A., Kirichenko A.M., Shaikevych I.A., Rudenko A.G., and others.

From 1979, instead of the name “Kyiv Specialized Boarding School of Physics and Mathematics at Kyiv T.G. Shevchenko State University,” the name “Republican Specialized Boarding School of Physics and Mathematics at Kyiv T.G. Shevchenko State University” started being used.

In 1991, the lyceum received new premises at Academician Glushkov Avenue 6. This spacious complex, built according to an individual project on the outskirts of the city near the natural science faculties of Kyiv National University, consists of an educational building and a dormitory. The lyceum complex fits into the ensemble of the university town, allowing university teachers to work actively in the lyceum and its students in the university.

Modern UPML

Over 60 years of existence (from 1963 to 2023), the lyceum has had 6124 graduates, a third of whom have dedicated their lives to science. The lyceum proudly claims alumni who have reached high levels in various fields of science and technology, thereby enhancing the reputation of the physics and mathematics lyceum. Among its graduates are six academics and corresponding members of the national academies of sciences, professors at well-known foreign universities, nearly fifty Doctors of Science, and over 600 Candidates of Science. More than 80 alumni work at Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, including Doctors of Science, professors, and Candidates of Science.

During its 60-year history, students have won 109 medals at International Student Olympiads in physics, astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, and informatics, 97 of which were during the time of independent Ukraine. During the Soviet era, nearly a hundred of our students became winners of All-Union Olympiads. The lyceum ranked first in the rating of the best schools in Ukraine in the physics-mathematics profile. In the same academic year, 28 students received the maximum possible 200 points in the External Independent Evaluation, outpacing all other educational institutions in Ukraine. In recent years, students have also achieved significant success in city Olympiads in geography, biology, history, the Ukrainian language, and literature.

All our graduates enter higher educational institutions in Ukraine and the world, with over 80% becoming students at Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University.

Directors of the school/lyceum have been: Ivan Stepanovych Kryvoshyi (August 1963 – January 1964), Mykhailo Yakovych Kayom (January 1964 – May 1970 and January 1975 – 1983), Volodymyr Tymofiiovych Mamatov (September 1970 – June 1974), Volodymyr Mykhailovych Romanenko (September 1973 – November 1975), Olksandr Pylypovych Ridzel (December 1975), Yaroslav Yosypovych Smykalo (1983 – 1993), Mykola Mykolaiovych Velychko (April 1993 – July 1998), Olexiy Anatoliiovych Loboda (July 1998 – August 2007), Oleg Mykolaiovych Khomyakov (August 2007 – August 2011), Kateryna Yosypivna Davydova (acting director) (August 2011 – April 2013), Volodymyr Mykolaiovych Gorkavenko (April 2013 – February 2016), Georgiy Ivanovych Salivon (February 2016 – January 2021), Lyudmyla Anatoliivna Latyshenko (since 2021 – present).

Today, UFML continues to be a hub for gifted students, providing them with a solid education in physics and mathematics, a nurturing environment, and opportunities to excel in various areas, from academics to sports.