Școala Centrală National College

Școala Centrală National College (Colegiul Național Școala Centrală; literally Central School, formerly Zoia Kosmodeminskaia or just Zoia) is an institution of pre-primary, primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary public education situated in Sector 2, Bucharest, Romania. It functioned along the passing of time under many other names, most notably Pensionatul Domnesc de Fete (i.e. 'The Royal Girls' Boarding School/Pension'). It serves schooling for the classes 0 to 12th grade, that is, from pre-primary school up to high school.

During the communist period, Școala Centrală was known as Zoia Kosmodeminskaia, a name which was ascribed to this educational institution for political reasons. After the 1989 Romanian Revolution, more specifically in 1994, the school's name was changed to Școala Centrală and bilingual French education was introduced for the classes with both humanist and exact sciences profiles pertaining to high school.

The school building, completed in 1890, is listed as a historic monument by Romania's Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs. It was designed by Romanian architect Ion Mincu, renowned for developing the Romanian revival style (Stilul Neo-Brâncovenesc).

Educational status
The Central School of Bucharest (Școala Centrală, for short) is considered a good to very good high school in educational regards in Bucharest and nationwide in Romania, both in terms of the admission averages for high school as well as regarding the intellectual performances of the pupils at various national scholarly olympics and international contests as well.

Architectural style
The building is a masterpiece of neo-Romanian (also known as neo-Brâncovenesc) architecture, designed by Ion Mincu, being the second building erected in this style. Its beauty and prestige granted it the title of historical monument in the Romanian registry of historical monuments.

Other usage
In 1918, the building was used during the Austrian occupation of Bucharest throughout late World War I as the headquarters of the local post.