The Novodevichii Institute was a Russian school for girls. It was founded by Empress

Catherine the Great Catherine II. (born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 172917 November 1796), most commonly known as Catherine the Great, was the reigning empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. She came to power after overthrowing her husband, Peter I ...

in 1765. The establishment of the institute was a significant step in making education available for females in Russia: “The provision of formal education for women began only in 1764 and 1765, when Catherine II established first the Smolny Institute for girls of the nobility in St. Petersburg and then the Novodevichii Institute for the daughters of commoners.”

References

{{coord missing, Moscow Educational institutions established in 1765 1760s establishments in the Russian Empire Girls' schools in Russia 1765 establishments in the Russian Empire 18th century in Moscow Catherine the Great