The records of the school in Ždiar date back to before the year 1800, when it was originally situated near the old cemetery.

 

In 1800 the new Roman- Catholic school was formed. It consisted of just one room which was used as the main classroom and also the living accomodation for the teacher, there were no benches, blackboards or books for the pupils. The teachers salary for a whole year was 22 measures of oats and 27 gold sovereigns.

 

In 1909 a new stone school was built with two rooms for the teacher. Attendance at school was not compulsory and lessons were held twice a week. Young children of six years old were taught during the school holidays. During the first world war the village priest was teaching at the school but lessons were few and far between at this time.

 

After the war there was only one teacher and the school was equipped very badly. Money borrowed from local farmers helped the teacher to improve conditions in school. In a space of just 53m2 there were between 150 to 200 pupils being taught at the same time.

 

In 1925 two more one class schools were formed, one in upper Ždiar and one in lower. In the following difficult years there were many obstacles and frequent changes of teachers and where the lessons were held. These three schools co-existed until 1953 when they were amalgumated into one secondary school where pupils studied for eight years. In 1959 there was a major change as the new school building was started and it became a primary nine year study school.

 

The new school was opened in September 1962. From the school year 1976 to 1977 all of the lessons were held in the new building and a student after school club was formed. The previous upper school building became a new infant school which was moved in 1981 into the old lower school building where is still exists to this date. In the school year 1992 to 1993, with the help of the Tatran sports club, a new facility was created in the school specialising in cross country skiing which has a long tradition in Ždiar.

These days the after school activities are mostly connected with maintaing traditions in a few important areas. Ždiar's cultural heritage is kept alive by the children's folk group Ždiaranček which has been in existance for many years and each year they give many performances organized both inside and out of the region. The school places a big emphasis on their sports centre in which cross country skiing plays a major part and the students achieve good competition results. As Ždiar is situated so closely to the Tatra National Park and the nature reservation of Belianske Tatry, the school pledges to influence the students positively concerning the protection of their natural countryside. This enviromental education has been implemented during normal school hours as well as after school activities. Every year students of our school participate in courses organized by TANAP (Tatra National Park) which help to maintain clean mountains.