An important symbolic milestone has been reached in the construction of the new Šiaurės Licėjus school in Didžioji Riešė – a wreath has been raised at the highest point of the building. The construction of the modern school and kindergarten with a swimming pool and exceptional educational spaces is progressing smoothly and according to schedule, so it will open its doors to children from next September.
The school will accommodate over 800 children and will offer all levels of education: from kindergarten and pre-primary, to primary school (grades 1–4), lower secondary (grades 5–8), and upper secondary or gymnasium (grades 9–12). The school will serve not only the residents of Didžioji Riešė but also those from surrounding areas. Families from Bajorai, Gulbinai, Avižieniai, Santariškės, Jeruzalė, and other neighboring settlements are already actively registering their children, not just those from Didžioji Riešė. To ensure that students can reach school safely and on time from all districts—without parents having to worry about driving their children during rush hours—the school will offer a school bus transportation service.
“Today we are at a stage where the school, like a child, has already been born, but is only beginning to form its core identity. The foundation is laid, the main structures are in place, and interior work is progressing intensively—everything is proceeding methodically and according to schedule. Just like a first grader who will step through these doors in September, our school is also taking its first steps—with a clear direction and vision. Today we can confidently say that we are moving at the right pace and with assurance, so the school will definitely open its doors in September,” said Inga Romanovskienė, the head of Šiaurės licėjus in Didžioji Riešė, at the event.
The Mayor of the Vilnius District Municipality, Robert Duchnevič, emphasized that the development of educational infrastructure in the region is of great importance. By ensuring not only high-quality general education but also creating an environment that fosters creativity as well as physical and emotional well-being, the new Šiaurės licėjus school will make a significant contribution to the growth of the Riešė and broader Vilnius district communities.
“This part of the Vilnius district is growing very rapidly—new residential areas are being established, attracting young families with children. I believe that the new school, which will maintain high educational standards, will be an even greater incentive for families to settle in the Vilnius district. The school will not only be a place where children are taught according to the curriculum, but also a unifying center that brings the community together,” said R. Duchnevič.
Construction of the new school in Didžioji Riešė began in the fall of 2024. The general contractor is the company Veikmės statyba, the project is managed by Viconus, and the design was created by the architectural firm 2L Architects.
Due to the modular structure of the school building, construction is progressing faster than usual. The chosen design allows for several tasks to be performed simultaneously—bricklaying, window installation, and engineering system setup. This speeds up the process, especially since all underground engineering networks have already been installed.
“Building a school is a special, meaningful, and incredibly responsible project, which is why we are putting all our efforts into ensuring the work progresses smoothly, on time, and meets the highest standards of quality. We are pleased that everything is going according to plan, and that starting in September, students will be able to enjoy a modern, well-equipped school designed for learning, sports, and leisure,” said Renatas Viršilas, CEO of Viconus, which is overseeing the project management and supervision.
The new school will be a modern building with a total area of over 6,000 square meters, located on nearly 2 hectares of land. The value of the project exceeds 16 million euros.
A multitude of modern solutions
The school will continue the educational philosophy already fostered at Šiaurės licėjus, emphasizing bold thinking, creativity, collaboration, and self-confidence. The new Šiaurės licėjus school will combine aesthetics and functionality, creating a child-friendly learning environment. Modern infrastructure will support this philosophy—not only will there be classrooms, but also a wide variety of special spaces where children can create, play sports, and care for their emotional well-being.
The school will stand out with unique architectural solutions—a central open library without walls will be designed at the heart of the building, with all main school spaces arranged around it. A slide will connect the second floor to the first, and each classroom block will have its own relaxation area. The third floor will feature a meditation room and comfortable spaces for teachers to work and relax.
The school project also includes investments in a swimming pool, a basketball hall that meets FIBA standards, outdoor sports fields, and leisure zones.
The school will include a spacious cafeteria serving healthy and delicious meals. A convenient car parking area for parents and a bicycle storage facility will ensure safe and easy access to the school. A unique architectural feature of the building will be its seven round windows.
The youngest children will have a separate kindergarten wing with its own entrance and cozy courtyard. The kindergarten will accommodate over 180 children from the age of 1. The youngest groups will have classrooms with terraces and individual outdoor areas. Kindergarten groups will be connected to reading and rest zones. A lot of attention will be given to outdoor spaces and playgrounds, as modern education focuses on a child’s experience in diverse environments—not just within the classroom.
“This is not just a building, but a culmination of the educational philosophy we’ve been developing for a decade—based on respect for the child, critical thinking, experiential learning, and connection with nature, the community, and oneself. This building will house not only academic learning, but also creativity, sports, and emotional well-being. Our goal is for every child to discover their strengths here and be able to grow them without fear of making mistakes. Today, looking at this façade, we don’t just see bricks and glass—we see the life of the future community taking shape, with small steps toward big dreams,” said I. Romanovskienė.
