The idea of creating a 'School of the Future' – an educational institution with everything necessary for developing children's talents, including cutting-edge technologies, innovative teaching methods, experienced teachers, spiritual education, comfortable learning conditions, and safety – emerged long before construction began. As the founder and president of the International Academic School 'Odesa', Sergiy Kivalov, recalled, the vision was to build a school where "… a temple stands at the center, with academic buildings radiating outward like sunbeams." The school was initially designed to include a swimming pool, the most modern sports complex, a large cinema and concert hall, and a spacious dining hall to ensure students' physical and spiritual well-being.
Among Odesa residents, the institution was initially referred to as a «church-parish school». The first steps toward creating the School of the Future began on December 2, 2011, with the development of the school building's project and the start of its construction. The design process commenced immediately after the school's blessing. That day, at a location where some businessmen had planned to build entertainment venues and high-rises, a sacred stone was placed to symbolize the beginning of the school's construction at 30 Akademichna Street.
Naturally, the school's construction began with a blessing – Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail consecrated the site of this grand project. The date of the blessing was not chosen by chance, December 2 also marks the anniversary of the National University 'Odesa Law Academy'.
Year 2011. The founder of the School, Sergiy Kivalov, lays a capsule with a message for future generations
Year 2011. The consecration of the site for the construction of the School of the Future
Year 2011. The beginning of the construction of the School of the Future
Offered visualizations of the School of the Future
Offered visualizations of the School of the Future
Offered visualizations of the School of the Future
After the blessing of the site, the focus shifted to detailed planning, namely, how to construct a school that would provide students with everything they needed and even more. An idea alone was not enough, without professional visualization and technical project planning, it could not become a reality. This is where the team from Odesa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture stepped in to help.
Upon hearing Sergiy Kivalov's vision of creating a world-class school in Odesa, students, graduate students, and staff eagerly responded. They began offering visualizations and architectural proposals, collaborating on solutions that would integrate all the necessary infrastructure. To encourage innovation, a competition was announced for the best School of the Future project.
A new chapter in the history of the School of the Future began on June 8, 2012. Headlines in both regional and national media declared: «Odesa becomes the first city in Ukraine to build an international-standard educational complex». That summer day was a moment of unity for Odesa's most influential figures. Standing alongside Sergiy Kivalov in early June 2012 there were representatives of Odesa City Hall, Odesa Governor Eduard Matviychuk, and Members of Parliament of Ukraine. Everyone pledged their active support and assistance in bringing the project to life. The city authorities worked tirelessly to complete their part as quickly as possible, creating the conditions necessary for the rapid construction of this architectural and spiritual landmark.
By early August, the first crucial step toward transformation was taken – 'The Great Construction' began. At that time, no one could foresee the challenging and arduous journey ahead. Creating something unique in the face of constant resistance would be the reality for the next several years. However, there was no turning back and no intention of stopping.
Declaration of the beginning of construction of the International Academic School 'Odesa'
Commencement of construction works
Commencement of construction works
Commencement of construction works
A challenging period of building the school and the temple
Support from the Odesa community for the construction of the International Academic School 'Odesa'
Summer 2013. The construction of this grand project continued. By now, the site was no longer an empty plot, the outlines of the spiritual and educational complex were beginning to take shape. However, as the School of the Future aimed for new heights, tensions within Odesa City Council escalated. A small group of deputies opposed the construction of the school and temple, using both legal and illegal methods to hinder progress. Yet, their efforts failed, as dozens of concerned Odesa residents rallied in defense of the school.
Odesa residents firmly believed that the construction of a school and temple, as promised by Sergiy Kivalov, was far more beneficial to the city and its community than casinos or residential buildings. This land held historical significance for every local resident – more than a century ago, a family temple of the renowned philanthropist and mayor, Hryhorii Marazli, once stood on this very site.
On July 1, 2013, a significant event took place, on the school's construction site, a time capsule was ceremoniously placed at the foundation of the temple, which was named in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The capsule was laid by Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail, Sergiy Kivalov, Governor Eduard Matviychuk, clergy members, and local residents who supported the project.
A major advocate for the school's protection was Metropolitan Agafangel, who, in July 2013, personally appealed to Mayor Oleksii Kostusev and city council deputies, urging them not to obstruct the construction of Ukraine's first general education church-parish school. In a written statement, the metropolitan reminded officials that he had blessed the site back in December 2011 in the presence of city authorities and law enforcement. Seeing such strong public support, city council deputies could not ignore the will of their voters. In the end, representatives of nearly all factions in the city council voted in favor of the school, with only six opposing votes.
2013 year – The International Academic School 'Odesa' is being built at an impressive speed. Three floors have already been completed
2013 year – The International Academic School 'Odesa' is being built at an impressive speed. Three floors have already been completed
2013 year – The International Academic School 'Odesa' is being built at an impressive speed. Three floors have already been completed
Solemn installation of the cross atop the International Academic School 'Odesa'
Solemn installation of the cross atop the International Academic School 'Odesa'
Year 2015. Construction of the International Academic School 'Odesa' and its temple complex
The cross is installed atop the International Academic School 'Odesa'
Year 2014. War, political and economic crises, an endless election cycle. Almost all infrastructure projects in the city and country were frozen. For the School of the Future, this was a crucial year. Despite the turmoil, construction continued, and by 2014, the complex had already reached three full floors. Work never stopped, as there was a blessing and a determination to complete what had taken so much effort to begin. The school's area covered 22,000 square meters – at this stage, it was no longer just a school but an entire complex.
On October 19, 2014, Metropolitan Agafangel gave his blessing, and Bishop Diodor of Yuzhne, vicar of Odesa Diocese, consecrated the cross for the temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh, which was part of Ukraine's first modern church-educational school complex. Then, to the sound of church hymns, a five-meter-high cross, weighing over 200 kilograms, was lifted and placed atop the temple's dome. This event became a symbol, it was a proof that the project would be completed. No global crises could stop Sergiy Kivalov from seeing it through.
On the eve of Christmas, January 6, 2015, a special service was held at the Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh, marking the installation of eleven bells on the church-parish school. These bells were crafted using a secret technique and were blessed by Metropolitan Agafangel. The first bell was placed on the temple's bell tower, standing over 40 meters high. Clergy members who saw and heard the bells remarked: «These bells do not just ring, they sing».
These bells were unique, they were custom-ordered from abroad and cast using a secret method, as no one in Ukraine possessed the knowledge to create them. To this day, no modern craftsman knows the secret of their production.
Year 2015 – Blessing of the bells of the International Academic School 'Odesa'
Year 2015 – Installation of the bells in the temple complex of the School of the Future
Year 2015 – Installation of the bells in the temple complex of the School of the Future
