SMA Negeri 1 Yogyakarta has a rich history, dating back to the Dutch era. This "Teladan" school began in 1930 as Algemeene Middlebaar School A Afdeling Yogyakarta (AMS). This is a secondary school, often known as middle school (Sumarsono Moestoko, 1985:114). AMS A Afdeling Yogyakarta was formed as a merger of the AMS A Department of Western Literature (Wester Letterkundige Afdeling) in Bandung and the AMS Department of Eastern Literature (Ooster Letterkundige Afdeling) in Surakarta.

During the AMS A period, teaching and learning activities were held on Jalan A.M Sangaji. The location is presently north of SMK Negeri 2 Yogyakarta. The school's director was DR. W.F. Stutterheim. The succeeding directors were DR. J.S. Schoutten, DR. C. Hoykaas (a Malaysian literature scholar), and DR. Terbraak.

During the Japanese era, all upper secondary schools were prohibited. Secondary schools in Yogyakarta restarted for the 1942-1943 school year. AMS A and AMS B were combined and referred to as SMT. R.J Katamsi was the school's first leader, followed by R. Sugardo. Dr. Priyono also commanded the SMT. The transition from AMS to SMT was a setback since the teachings in Parts A and B were dropping (Sutrisno Kutoyo, 1997: 315).

After Indonesia gained Its independence, the AMS A Afdeling school idea was carried forward. SMA Section A, established in 1951, was the successor to AMS A Afdeling. SMA Section A was located in a building on Jalan Jati 2, currently known as Jalan C. Simanjuntak (Sri Sutjianingsih, 1981). The Principal and Teachers of SMA Section A developed "Perjuangan" to accommodate previous student combatants who occupied the SMP 5 on Jalan Wardani building in the afternoon. Not long later, SMA Section A Perjuangan (SMA 2/A) arrived in the morning alongside SMA Section A 'Afdeling (SMA 1/A).

Yogyakarta State High School 1 is now known as “Teladan” High School, which can be traced back to the reforms that occurred in 1957. SMA 1/A and SMA 2/A were dissolved to become “Teladan” High School under Ministry of Education and Culture Decree No. 128079/s dated December 16, 1957. This alteration signaled the move into a new building on Jalan Pakuncen (Jalan HOS Cokroaminoto 10), which is currently occupied by SMA Negeri 1 Yogyakarta. Mr. Purwoko S.H. was the initial director during this period.

In 1962, the school's name changed once more. Teladan High School was renamed SMA 1 under Ministerial Decree No. P and K. 34/SK/b III on November 30, 1962. Following these improvements in 1962, SMAN 1 was designated as a Flagship School by Decree of the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Education and Culture Number 097a/I.13/O/Kpts/1995, dated May 24, 1995.

The Accelerated Learning Program was implemented during the 2001/2002 academic year in accordance with the Decree of the Director General of Basic Education, Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia Number 511/C/Kp/MN/ 2002. In the 2000s, SMA Negeri 1 Yogyakarta established an International Standard Class Program and became a Cambridge Center, with Center Number ID 071, beginning in the 2004/2005 academic year. This academic year also marks the school's launch as an International Standard School pilot till 2013.

SMA 1 Teladan Yogyakarta was the recipient of government funding for Literacy Schools, Referral Schools, and certificates issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights for school integrity, particularly in the administration of national exams.

Additional References:

Soegarda Poerbakawatja. 1970. Pendidikan dalam Alam Indonesia Merdeka. Jakarta: Gunung Agung.

Sri Sutjianingsih, Sutrisno Kutoyo. 1981. Sejarah Pendidikan Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Jakarta: Departemen P&K.

Sumarsono Moestoko, dkk. 1985. Pendidikan Indonesia dari Jaman ke Jaman. Jakarta: Balai Pustaka.

Sutrisno Kutoyo. 1997. Sejarah Daerah Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan RI.

(edited by Rosita Nur A)