The establishment of the institution was a significant event in the history of St. Petersburg, as the school was a first step by the local government to address and solve a number of problems that existed within the primary education system at the time.

[1] The initiative of building the school was led by Mikhail Stasyulevich, a historian, publisher, and chairman of the Commission on Public Education.

As a result of this, however, Stasyulevich encountered many opponents, and constantly fought against those who sought to defend the old type of primary school.

The most serious objection was an indication of the "great danger of schools having several classes as the source of infectious diseases."

Despite these setbacks, the project had still gained majority support by City Council, and the school was erected.