We are celebrating our 100 years in 2025!

In 1924, Sigtunaskolan, SS, was founded as the first boarding school in Sigtuna. In 1926, the Sigtunastiftelsens Humanistiska Läroverk, SHL, was founded. The two later joined as one. We have therefore decided that 2025 will be the year when we  will be celebrating our 100-year anniversary!

In the 19th century, Sweden was a leading country when it came to schools and education. A national identity was formed through school education and reading. In 1842, a compulsory elementary school was introduced for both girls and boys.

At the turn of the century, there was a rapid industrial development and therefore a growing need to raise the level of education and to educate more people, and through innovation and development create better conditions for Sweden as a country. Sweden was an agrarian society where only a small number of students graduated from upper secondary education – and there were not enough secondary education schools around Sweden.

It was against this background that the two boarding schools in Sigtuna emerged. People with creativity and visions made the dream come true. 

Sigtunaskolan, SS, was founded in 1924 by Principal Harry Cullberg. It was initially Arch Bishop Nathan Söderblom who gave him the idea of establishing a boarding school for children of expatriate Swedes. After a dinner, some of them had expressed concerns to the Arch Bishop about finding a suitable education for their children.

Harry Cullberg had taken a liking to the eastern hill of the town, where Turisthotellet was located at the time, today the site of Hotell Kristina. During the summer of 1924 he transformed Turisthotellet into a school and a boarding house. During the autumn term of that year they welcomed their first eight boarding students. There were 17 students in total, including the day students who came from the local co-educational Sigtuna Samskola, founded by Manfred Björkquist in 1918.

Aerial photo of Sigtunaskolan. Photo: Aero Materiel AB, source: The Alumni Association “Sigtunafördettingar”. Portrait, Principal Harry Cullberg 1891-1984. Photo: unknown, source: Wikipedia

Sigtunastiftelsens Humanistiska Läroverk, SHL, was  founded in 1926 by Manfred Björkquist. Over 100 years ago the young Manfred Björkquist was standing on the pine-tree covered hills on the outskirts of Sigtuna, looking out over the lake of Mälaren. He had a dream; to create a place for discussions and ideas, knowledge and education, with the individual in focus. Manfred Björkquist was instrumental in the creation of Sigtunastiftelsen and its humanistic upper secondary school, the latter in collaboration with Arvid Bruno, who became the first SHL Principal.

The big yellow house Hällberget (today red), located south of Sigtunastiftelsen, became the school’s first domicile. There, Harry Cullberg was able to do his first roll call as Principal on the 4th of September, 1926. The first school building belonging to Sigtunastiftelsens Humanistiska Läroverk was completed and inaugurated during the autumn of 1927, when the first 21 students could move into Midgården, surrounded by the pine trees on Djäkneberget.

Gymnasiebyggnaden was one of the first buildings at Sigtunastiftelsens Humanistiska Läroverk. Photo: unknown, source: Sigtunastiftelsen archives.

Sigtunaskolan and Sigtunastiftelsens Humanistiska Läroverk gradually developed and expanded, and collaborated for over 50 years; with students from Sigtuna and surroundings, remote Swedish places without educational opportunities and expatriate Swedish families all over the world. Even families from the major cities in Sweden chose the schools in Sigtuna for their children.

SS + SHL = SSHL

In 1980 the two boarding schools in Sigtuna merged to become one joint school and Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket, SSHL, was founded.

With their visions Manfred Björkquist and Harry Cullberg were groundbreaking. Today, our school and our boarding school are still unique and leading, both in Sweden and internationally. For 100 years, the humanistic values have been the foundation for the running of the school.

Our humanistic values remain – even more relevant today –  values that are based on human care, knowledge and education, and with the goal that every student should be given the conditions for success and well-being.

Crown Prince Carl Gustaf graduated at Sigtunastiftelsens Humanistiska Läroverk, SHL, 1966. Photo: TT

Throughout our 100 years we have fostered, schooled and educated leaders, social change leaders, artists, authors, teachers, diplomats – even His Majesty the King studied here! It is something that we normally do not boast about, but are naturally very proud of.

This year we will be celebrating our 100 years together with our students, parents, staff, alumni and all our other friends to the two boarding schools in Sigtuna!

Below: The construction work started in spring 1926 and during fall in 1927, the first students moved in at House Midgården. Photo: unknown, Sigtunastiftelsen archives.