The building of the women's progymnasium in Pereslavl-Zalessky, opened in 1873, became a gymnasium in 1903 and is located opposite the children's shelter. This low one-story wooden structure with carved window frames resembles a provincial gymnasium girl in a lace apron. The construction was funded by local benefactors, the merchants Gladkovs, who owned one of the city's embroidery factories.

The women's progymnasium was transformed from a women's school opened in 1868. It was financed through city and district funds, state subsidies, private donations, and tuition fees: 6 rubles a year for the wealthy and 2-3 rubles for the less fortunate.

The staff of the progymnasium included an honorary trustee, a representative of the pedagogical council, a headmistress, and four teachers. For a long time, the headmistress was M. M. Ivanova. The majority of the students were children of petty bourgeois. In 1880, 119 girls were enrolled in the progymnasium, including 14 noble girls, 20 from the clergy, 14 merchant daughters, 60 petty bourgeois girls, and 11 peasant girls. The students studied Russian language, mathematics, history, geography, handwriting, handicrafts, natural science, singing, and religious studies. By 1901, the number of students reached 300.

In 1903, at the request of the residents, the progymnasium was transformed into an 8-class gymnasium with a preparatory class. Many graduates of the Pereslavl gymnasium became rural teachers.

In 1904, a two-story brick building was added.