The Words of those who Have Met Us Speak Best about Us.
My daughter Helena was convinced she wasn't smart. She repeated it to me over and over as we struggled with her math assignments.
“I'm just not good at math”, she would say, “I'm not smart.”
I, of course, knew she was smart, but she was alienated from school. We moved a lot, so she often found herself without friends. In one public school, the boys disrupted the class so much that Helena's teacher told us halfway through the year that he would have a hard time completing the curriculum by the end of the year.
“There's no point in even trying”, he said, “the boys in this class don't give me room to work.”
Helena was unhappy and didn't like school. It was no surprise when we found out that she hadn't been handing in homework for weeks. There was serious consideration of her staying back to repeat the grade. Her grades improved slightly and she finally made a few friends when we moved to Stari Grad, but they all applied to different high schools and her happiness seemed short-lived.
I asked friends from Serbia for advice on private schools. That's how we found the private gymnasium “Antoni MP Barili”. From the first conversation with the principal and teachers, I knew that this school would support Helena in a way that was tailored to her. I knew that the teachers would get to know her, understand her, and motivate her to realize her potential. She will no longer be that girl who is too shy to ask a question at the end of class when something is not clear to her.
Helena blossomed in “Antoni MP Barili”. Now she loves school and looks forward to every class. She actively participates in classes, and her grades have improved dramatically. Most importantly, she has discovered the satisfaction of success in learning. She no longer believes she is not smart enough. She knows she is capable. She has learned that if she works on herself and asks questions, she can succeed.
That experience of success has made her happier and more confident – not only in school, but in all aspects of life. I have no doubt that the private gymnasium “Antoni MP Barili” has a huge contribution to her future happiness and success. I am sure that one day she will realize that enrolling in this school was one of the best experiences in her life.
When I was thinking about which school to choose for my eldest son, I was in a big dilemma. I knew it would be a private school, but which one — that was what was giving me a headache. Plenty of beautiful plans offered by private schools, all “modern”, all promising “milk and honey”, but my inner feeling was – coldness.
Then I accidentally found the private gymnasium “Milena Pavlović Barili” on the internet and went for a conversation with the principal. A broad smile, warmth, and incredible positive energy spilled from that woman onto me, and the decision was easy — Barili is our choice.
My son was not a child who was “easy to maintain”, on the contrary. However, with almost daily contact with the principal Tatjana Ristić, who has not a principal's, but a mother's relationship with each student, as well as with her team that carefully chooses according to a special system, purposefully directed to make the students of the Barili gymnasium become independent, formed people in attitude, opinion, and relationship to life, we have come to the point that my son today, after graduating from gymnasium, has his own chess school and independently forms his business plan and future actions — thanks to the knowledge and preparation that Barili provided him.
Once, in the first year of gymnasium, he asked me: “Mom, why does the principal call me son when I'm not her child?” At the end of his schooling, he told me: “Mom, I realized — we are all actually Tanja's children in Barili.”
And that is, perhaps, the truth that best describes the Barili gymnasium and what it provides.
Thank you to Tatjana Ristić and her team for helping me in the growing up of my sons, who, like their brother, when the time comes, will attend Barili — a school that has become an integral part of our family tradition.
The private gymnasium “Milena Pavlović Barili” is dedicated to an individual approach to students, but also to parents. Honesty and cordiality, a wealth of clear and useful advice, a dedicated and responsible attitude towards children – these are the reasons why we are extremely satisfied with our child's stay in this school so far. The administration and all the professors individually strive to, humanly and professionally, encourage the child to explore and develop their potentials, and they give us parents precise and concrete information on how to support that development ourselves.
Another confirmation that we made the right choice by enrolling in the “Barili” gymnasium followed after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Online classes were organized on the same day, and the criteria were raised in accordance with the surplus of free time. Mentors made sure that even what is perhaps boring or complicated in the mandatory curriculum is repeated and consolidated through supplementary work. Each student, according to their own inclinations, has the opportunity to follow advanced programs in subjects of their choice and work independently on additional projects.
When it was most needed, we received continuity and security. The “Barili” gymnasium recognizes the needs of students, does not flatter them or indulge them, but patiently directs them towards academic progress and personal development.
What more could a parent want for their high school child?
The choice of high school is extremely important. In the search for a suitable gymnasium, we were not convinced by the aggressive campaigns of some schools. In the end, the recommendation of a satisfied parent prevailed — although we were skeptical at first.
We have been following the work of the school for four years, and here is our impression: an individualized approach to teaching is possible! Highly qualified professors have the opportunity to dedicate themselves to each student. We experienced such knowledge of children's nature and quick, skillful reaction of the professional staff, which pleasantly surprised us.
The combination of clear and efficient structure and creativity is what makes this school unique. Workshops, visits to cultural institutions and scientific institutes complement the school program in a fresh and unusual way. During online classes, the school showed an organization worthy of the best world institutions. We followed the work of the children — the classes were dynamic, special, and the students showed exceptional knowledge.
Skillfully led by the hand of the exceptional principal Tatjana Ristić, this is a school of the 21st century. She cares for the students like a mother figure — warm, of rich nature. The pedagogue, psychologist, and school secretary are part of our children's family, they know them and understand them.
What others only talk about, really happens here — constant improvement of all employees, and therefore of students. We wanted serious teaching, rich content, expert staff, and a creative environment, and we got much more.
Our child chose to study medicine, partly thanks to the brilliant influence of this school. A warm recommendation in every respect. All the best to our new family!
We are all aware that we live in a confusing time, marked by advanced mobile technology and the internet, making the availability of information and knowledge practically unlimited. Therefore, the educational systems of many countries, including ours, are searching for the most adequate concept of teaching and education for young people of this age.
The private gymnasium “Milena Pavlović Barili” stands out with its unique approach to young people, which is characterized by an optimal number of students (about ten) per class, modern teaching tools, but also immediacy and focus on the individual needs of students. This psychological-pedagogical approach determined us to choose this school for our son.
Experience has shown that children very quickly establish sincere and direct contact with their dedicated and caring professors, that they easily connect with each other and fit into the environment, work without fear and stress, and achieve the predicted results.
Numerous generations of high school students of the Barili gymnasium are the result, above all, of the great enthusiasm and exceptional kindness and benevolence of the principal Tatjana Ristić, who with her sincerity, immediacy, and inexhaustible energy equally influences professors, students, and parents to act together, as one big family, and persevere in achieving goals, with everyone satisfied.
Our experience confirms that the Gymnasium “Milena Pavlović Barili” is a school that provides young people with quality education, makes them stable and ready for further advancement in life, and we gladly recommend it to all parents of future high school students.
I want to share my opinion and impression about your school, as well as about the cooperation with it.
Rarely do you get more than you pay for — and that is exactly the case in this school.
There is no price for the care, engagement, and every effort around our children, from the principal, through the professors and pedagogue, and even the secretary. A professional and psychologically thoughtful approach to each child, with enormous patience and only one goal — that the child learns, without regretting the effort, work, and private time of the professors or the principal.
They are always ready to provide assistance to every child, even with documentation. If I had ten more children, I would enroll them all in this school. Everyone shows great respect and care for every student.
The care does not end with graduation — teachers and management take care of what the child will enroll in, try to give them advice and help in choosing a faculty and further education.
Forever grateful mother,
Mirjana Agić
Thanks to the work, effort, and support of the principal Tanja Ristić and the entire collective of the Private Gymnasium “Antoni MP Barili”, my daughter Kristina had the opportunity to acquire knowledge and learn without pressure, and above all to enjoy all the possibilities of individual approach and support that this school provides.
The proof of her success is enrollment in the medical state faculty in Germany — one of the most prestigious faculties in the world.
Our decision for the second child, son Maksim, was that he also attend the Private Gymnasium “Antoni MP Barili”. On this occasion, I would like to thank and wholeheartedly recommend this gymnasium to all parents who want the best for their child.
Thanks to the work, effort, and support of the principal Tanja Ristić and the entire collective of the Private Gymnasium “Antoni MP Barili”, my daughter Kristina had the opportunity to acquire knowledge and learn without pressure, and above all to enjoy all the advantages of individual approach and support that this school provides.
The proof of her success is enrollment in the medical state faculty in Germany — one of the most prestigious faculties in the world.
Our decision for the second child, son Maksim, was that he also attend the Private Gymnasium “Antoni MP Barili”. On this occasion, I would like to thank the school and wholeheartedly recommend it to all parents who want the best for their child.
The decision to enroll our daughter in the Gymnasium “Milena Pavlović Barilli” falls into the category of the best decisions that my late husband and I made regarding the future of our child. We were looking for a place where our daughter would have the necessary attention, security, and enough space and encouragement for unhindered personal development.
It was very important to us that the school has understanding for special talents, as well as for engaging in activities that do not have direct connections with the school, but have a lot to do with life. Because, the goal is to prepare them for life, isn't it?
Our daughter loves to learn and is naturally very responsible. She made the best possible use of all the benefits offered by the private gymnasium — she learned with pleasure and ease, and the school selflessly supported her in all areas that fall into extracurricular activities. For two years, she intensively participated in the work of scientific seminars for young people within the Research Station Petnica, traveled to international festivals in Ancona, Bath, Moscow with her amateur theater for young people who act in English (Belgrade English Language Theater), was part of the delegation of young people from Serbia on a working visit to the UN General Assembly in New York, engaged in humanitarian volunteer work within the Municipality of Stari Grad from the age of fifteen — and much more.
All this would not have been possible without the cooperation and support of her school. I can say that we as parents, our daughter, and the school acted as a powerful synergy that brought many good results.
As a professional in the field of education (owner and director of the school of foreign languages “Lingua Viva”), I am particularly satisfied with the way my daughter dealt with languages in gymnasium. Today she studies at an American faculty in Rome, in English, and finished the first semester with the best average, which earned her a special scholarship that the dean awards to the best students. Her school also has a large share in her current successes.
I must add a personal moment. When I suddenly became a widow and a single mother, I experienced what, unfortunately, many experience in such a situation — people surprise you, mostly negatively. You are most disappointed by those from whom you least expect it. Fortunately, there is some invisible force that creates balance — somewhere you are taken, and somewhere you are given.
My biggest positive surprise in that difficult situation was Mrs. Tanja Ristić, owner and director of the Gymnasium “Barilli”. Such wholehearted, human, and sisterly help and understanding, my daughter and I have not experienced from anyone. I will not go into details, but those are moments in life that are not forgotten. Never.
You don't judge a book by its cover, we all know that. With our Tanja, there is no dilemma — she is beautiful both outside and inside. Such people should deal with our children. That is my deep conviction.
I enrolled my daughter in the private gymnasium Barili because I was dissatisfied with the treatment she had in the state gymnasium.
Here she was given a lot of attention and understanding for her extracurricular activities, and the teaching staff found the right approach to a teenager at the beginning of the 21st century.
A friendly relationship with the professors is nurtured, and at the same time their authority is not violated. Enough work is done in class and using modern methods. The departments are small, so professors can dedicate themselves to each student, to discover their talents and inclinations.
I am also very satisfied with the cooperation with the parents – no absence, delay, or any problem passes without the parent being informed.
I enrolled my daughter in the Barili gymnasium because I know that the school will do everything to fully prepare her for enrollment in the faculty.
The school is an excellent choice for children who are successful in extracurricular activities.
The teaching staff always accommodates, so that absences from school, due to investments in the development of talents, are compensated by individual work, while maintaining a high level of education.
My son is a professional water polo player. With many hours of training and full commitment to water polo, he was enabled to achieve excellent results without pressure, but with a desire to learn – both in sports and in school.
I wholeheartedly recommend the school to every child, and especially to those who want progress both in their talents and in education. All praise to the teaching staff who fully dedicate themselves to each student and provide support to young people to be successful athletes.
In the Private Gymnasium “Barili”, we see great opportunities for acquiring the knowledge necessary for successful studies, as a result of the effort and dedication of the professors and the entire staff of the gymnasium, and that in every respect.
Through regular and supplementary classes, guest lectures by experts, and extracurricular activities, students have the opportunity to deepen and broaden their knowledge in various fields. A favorable environment and working atmosphere in small groups of students provide a significant advantage — professors have the opportunity to devote more time and attention to each student.
When we, as parents, have questions or suggestions, we always encounter openness, willingness to talk, and assistance. Various extracurricular activities, such as visits to cultural and artistic institutions, with expert guidance and mentoring, are of particular value.
Although it is a “young” school, this gymnasium is well on its way to building a reputation like that of well-known private gymnasiums in countries with a long tradition of private education.
The private gymnasium “Milena Pavlović Barili” is the most pleasant surprise I have experienced as a parent of a high school student. My daughter has been a regular student at this gymnasium since the first year.
During her eight years of schooling, she went through numerous stressful situations — from teacher misunderstanding, through belittling, to brutal abuse and school segregation. The transfer to the “Barili” gymnasium completely revived my child. She started to enjoy school activities.
I especially want to emphasize the pleasant environment, working in small groups, and selfless daily support. From the very beginning of schooling at this gymnasium, the child has gained enormous self-confidence, unleashed her talents, developed healthy logic and a desire to prove herself and learn. School obligations were no longer a burden, but joy and satisfaction.
During her schooling so far, my daughter has not only progressed but has fully developed her talents and capacities. She published a collection of poems, participated in several competitions and studies, became a student at the Regional Center for Talents in the field of chemistry, and successfully completed the Vinča School of Chemistry with all the praise from the lecturers. She is currently preparing a second collection of poems and is finalizing a scientific paper in chemistry with which she intends to compete at the national talent competition.
I occasionally compared her knowledge with the knowledge of other high school students and was pleased to notice that what my child possesses is functionally better than the knowledge of the best students in state gymnasiums. The knowledge is stable, functional, and acquired through interactive teaching — with much less stress and with higher quality, continuous work.
Because of all this, I can only address the entire staff of the Private Gymnasium “Milena Pavlović Barili” with sincere gratitude.
Considering that both of our children attended the “Milena Pavlović Barili” school for a period of their lives, we can say that we as parents were very satisfied — both with the pedagogical work and the attention that is paid to each child and their uniqueness.
In search of a school that puts children first, we changed several private and state schools, so from experience, we can say how much “Milena Pavlović Barili” is superior and better, as well as how successfully it solves the daily dilemmas and problems of students.
On the one hand, it brings the professionalism that state schools have, and on the other — the peace and security that private schools offer. In addition, it develops togetherness in children, and not a consumer mentality in which everything is in money, which was especially important to us. Without arrogance, without carelessness — with full responsibility and emotions.
The private gymnasium “Milena Pavlović Barili” is the right choice for our daughter, who will start the first grade in September.
