First English Language School

42°41′55″N 23°20′13″E

First English Language School
Address
60 Dondukov Street Sofia Bulgaria
Information
Established	1958; 67 years ago (1958)
Principal	Alexander Chakmakov (Bulgarian: Александър Чакмаков)
Language	English
Website	www.fels-sofia.org/en

The First English Language School (FELS, 114th High School "Liliana Dimitrova") was founded in 1958 in Sofia, Bulgaria as a high school for education in English language to Bulgarian students.

The school had been located at 60 Dondukov Street since 1960 and shares the building with the 112th Elementary School.^[1] FELS became a UNESCO associated school in 1978.^[1]

It is considered to be one of the most prestigious public high schools in the country. Over 90% of its graduates pursue their higher education in schools and universities in Bulgaria, the EU and the United States.^[1]

Administration

Ms. Bonka Bachvarova was the school's principal for many years, followed by Ms. Nellie Mladenova. The acting principal is Mr. Alexander Chakmakov.^[2]

Rankings

In 2022, the school was in third place for most student applications for 8th grade in Sofia after dropping from the first position in 2021.^[3]

Student clubs

Source:^[4]

• Interact club "Sofia-Tangra" - a club for organising different charity events, part of the Rotary International program in Bulgaria;^[5]
• "Young Wings" - for the lovers of aviation and astronautics;
• People to People International (PTPI) - "The doves chapter" is a student branch of the People to People International organisation,^[6]
• Club "Zelen domat" - a journalism club which publishes a newspaper dedicated to the school;
• Eco-bio club "Green clover" - dedicated to nature, biology and environmental protection;^[7]
• Debates club
• Model European Parliament (MEP) - established in 1994 to introduce young people to the process of European integration and to strengthen their interest in European belonging, sessions are organized twice a year in different European countries, where the work of the real European Parliament is simulated;
• Drama club;
• Fashion design Club;
• Photoclub FELS;
• Club of the Bulgarian Youth Red Cross - a club for students who want to learn more about first aid help, prevention from addiction, and social assistance, with association with the Bulgarian Red Cross;
• Patriotism and National Studies - a new initiative with the goal to preserve patriotims and teach students about Bulgarian traditions and literature;^[8]
• Club "UN" - related to international relations, politics and economics;
• Folk dance troupe - a dance group performing traditional Bulgarian folk dancing;
• Cheerleading club;
• Orchestra club - an emblem for the school with 40 years history, more than 30 members playing different instruments;
• Bulgarian Interplanetary Society - physics and aerospace engineering club, in partnership with the Mathematic School of Sofia club;
• "The Manchines" - a dancing club;
• "Acrobatic rock'n'roll" - a club combining dancing and rock and roll music;
• Sports club;
• "Informatics" - for students interested in digital technology and artificial intelligence;
• Club "Culinary experts" - dedicated to sharing recipes and cooking.

Notable alumni

• Miryana Basheva - Bulgarian poet and lyricist;
• Georgi Bliznashki - caretaker Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2014);
• Irina Bokova - Bulgarian politician, Director-General of UNESCO;
• Philip Dimitrov Dimitrov - Bulgarian politician and former prime-minister of Bulgaria (1991–1992);
• Ognyan Doynov - Bulgarian diplomat and cabinet member from the communist period;
• Lubomir Kuychukov - a deputy foreign minister of Bulgaria;
• Veni Markovski - internet pioneer and founder of the Bulgarian Internet Society;
• Bashar Rahal - actor, producer;
• Galina Toneva - Bulgaria's Deputy Chief Prosecutor;
• Ralitsa Vassileva - anchor for CNN World News;
• Boris Velchev - lawyer, member of the Constitutional court of Bulgaria, and former chief prosecutor (attorney-general) in the history of Bulgaria.