It was established in 1939 in
Rishon LeZion at the time of the
1936–39 Arab revolt during the
Mandatory Palestine. It was the fifth high school in Israel and the first in Rishon LeZion. The school's first learning programs were devoted to
humanities, in contrast with the present emphasis on the
sciences, such as
biotechnology and the
TG (Talented and Gifted) classes. It merged with two
middle schools in 2011 during a 40 million
shekel rebuilding. The older school building was demolished before the merge. The Gimnasia's first location was on
Herzl street in a three-room apartment and only 9 students graduated in its first year. The second housing of the school was on
Abrahmovich neighbourhood, until the last move to Smilchansky street, where it is located as of 2013. ==Principals==