Curriculum
General Education in Estonia
- Pre-school (optional)
- Basic school is divided into three stages of study:
- I stage of study – Years 1 to 3;
- II stage of study – Years 4 to 6;
- III stage of study – Years 7 to 9.
- Upper-secondary school:
- Gymnasium – Years 10 to 12
1st stage of study
Of compulsory subjects environmental studies and and social studies are combined into one subject, as well as art and handicraft. In mathematics the I stage has 4 extra class compared to the required minimum by the state. In art and handicraft there is 1 extra class compared to the required minimum. From elective curriculum one can choose informatics in the 2nd year, game of chess in 1st and 2nd year and programming in the 3rd year. Studies of English as A- foreign language start in the 3rd year.
Curriculum, Years 1–3
| 1. | 2. | 3. | ∑ | |
| The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | |
| Estonian language | 6 | 7 | 6 | 19 |
| English as A- foreign language | 4 | 4 | ||
| science | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| mathematics | 4,5 | 4,5 | 4,5 | 14 |
| programming | 0,5 | 0,5 | ||
| game of chess | 0,5 | 0,5 | 1 | |
| music | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| craft | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| physical education | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| informatics | 1 | 1 | ||
| R-Learning | ||||
| ∑ | 20 | 23 | 25 | 68 |
R-Learning (taught in Years 1–4 since 2007)
The aims:
- To highlight the school’s emphasis on sciences since Year 1;
- To get students interested in sciences and technology;
- To develop the skills and habits essential to learning sciences in Basic and Secondary School;
- To enhance independent thinking and analytical skills;
- To develop critical and creative thinking.
Activities:
- In addition to elementary school teachers, R-Learning lessons are taught by science, technology and economics teachers from Basic and Secondary School;
- Active teaching methods and contemporary infotechnological tools are used in the lessons.
- There is one lesson of R-Learning per week in Years 1–3 and two lessons per week in Year 4.
- Programming using Micro:bit
- Students’ digital competences are included in the school curriculum.
2nd stage of study
Integrating compulsory studies and elective curriculum, the 4th and the 5th year have one extra class in English and mathematics and the 6th year has one extra class in Russian per week. The 4 th and the 5 th year have one extra class in mathematics. One extra class compared to the required state minimum is added in technology, handicraft and home economics in year 4, informatics in year 5 and 6 and drama class in year 5. In year 6 Russian is added as B-foreign language.
Curriculum, Years 4–6
| 4. | 5. | 6. | ∑ | |
| The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | |
| Estonian language | 5 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| reading | 2 | |||
| writing | 3 | |||
| Literature | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| R-Learning | ||||
| English as A- foreign language | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 |
| Russian as B- foreign language | 4 | 4 | ||
| Mathematics | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| R-Learning | ||||
| Nature and Human science | 2 | 2 | ||
| R-Learning | ||||
| Natural sciencee |
2 | 3 | 5 | |
| History | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Human science | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Civic studies | 1 | 1 | ||
| Music | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Art | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| R-Learning | ||||
| Technology studies / handicraft and home economics | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Physical education | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Drama class | 1 | 1 | ||
| Informatics | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| R-Learning | 1 | 1 | ||
| ∑ | 25 | 28 | 30 |
3rd stage of study
At the III stage of study an extra of 1,5 classes of mathematics, 0,75 classes of chemistry and 0,75 classes of physics are added per week. In elective curriculum 1 extra integrated class of natural science, mathematics and informatics can be chosen. Classes of English and Russian also continue. From the 7th grade either French or German taken as an elective course as a C-foreign language.
Curriculum, Years 7–9
| 7. | 8. | 9. | ∑ | |
| The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | The weekly number of lessons | |
| Estonian language | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Literature | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| English as A- foreign language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Russian as B- foreign language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Mathematics | 4,5 | 5 | 5 | 14,5 |
| Natural sciences | 2 | 2 | ||
| Geography | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Biology | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Chemistry | 2 | 2,75 | 4,75 | |
| Physics | 3 | 1,75 | 4,75 | |
| History | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Human science | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Civic Studies | 2 | 2 | ||
| Music | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Art | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Technology studies / handicraft and home economics | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Physical Education | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Information Technology | 0,5 | 0,5 | 1 | |
| ∑ | 30 | 32 | 32 |
Formative assessment
2011.-2012. Y1−3, skills-related subjects in Y4−6;
2013.-2014. Y5 – all subjects;
2018 spring Y9 finished school.
- regular feedback on knowledge, skills, proficiency / understanding;
- self-assessment: focus on pupil – reaching study aims (objectives) and developing competences;
- feedback from teachers and peers;
- setting next goals;
- aim: take into consideration pupil’s interests, needs and speed.
Gymnasium
The curriculum for Gymnasium consists of 4 different fields of study, from which students must choose one before starting their studies in Gymnasium: programming, economics, engineering or medical science. Due to the specifics of our school, all these fields have an extensive course in mathematics. The minimum number of courses in Gymnasium is 104, including mandatory courses according to national curriculum, additional obligatory courses according to school’s curriculum and elective curriculum.
English as A – foreign language and Russian as B- foreign language will continue to be a part of the curriculum. By the end of Year 12, the students will reach a B2 level of proficiency in English and B1 level of proficiency in Russian. As an elective course, French or German can be added as C-foreign language.
Curriculum, Years 10 – 12
| SUBJECTS | 10 | 11 | 12 | ∑ | Mandatory courses according to national curriculum | Additional obligatory courses according to school’s curriculum |
| Estonian, Literature | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 1 |
| English as A- foreign language | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| Russian as B- foreign language | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Mathematics | 6 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 2 |
| Geography | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Biology | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Physics | 4 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| History | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| Human science | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Civic Studies | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Music | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Art | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Physical Education | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | |
| State Defence | 0/2 | 0/2 | ||||
| Information Technology | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Extended Research Project | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
| School Examination | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| ∑ | 34 | 33/35 | 22 | 89/91 |
The number of lessons in one course – 35
Elective curriculum, Years 10 – 12
| Electives | 10 | 11 | 12 | ∑ |
| Programming | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Economics / Technology | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Medicine | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| German/French | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Law | 1 | 1 | ||
| Russian Certificate Exam | 1 | 1 | ||
| Religious Studies | 1 | 1 | ||
| Philosophy | 1 | 1 | ||
| Chemistry (Additional) | 1 | |||
| Geography (Additional) | 1 | |||
| Biology (Additional) | 1 | |||
| English | 4 | 4 | ||
| Chemistry of Life | 1 | 1 | ||
| Genetic engineering | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Physics (Additional) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The number of lessons in one course – 35
State examinations
State examinations are held once a year in the spring at the same time in all Estonian schools.
State examinations are aimed at final year students who wish to graduate from upper secondary school. In addition to state examinations, school education and a research paper must be completed in order to finish the upper secondary school.
State examinations can also be taken by students from vocational education institutions and those who have already completed secondary education and plan to continue their education in an institution of higher education.
The state examinations are prepared and conducted by Innove, an education competence center created in 2003 by the Ministry of Education and Research . The tasks of state examination tests are created, and examination papers are evaluated by committees operating at Innove and include the best teachers and lecturers from all over Estonia. The committee is confirmed by the Minister of Education and Research.
In order to graduate from upper secondary school, students in their final year must complete three mandatory state examinations, one of which must be a foreign language examination. Students have three options when choosing a foreign language examination:
1) Take the State Examination in English, which measures language proficiency at levels B1 and B2. This examination is prepared and conducted by Foundation Innove;
2) Take an international examination in English, French, German or Russian deemed equivalent (at least level B1, chosen from a pre-approved list) to the State Examination in English and co-ordinated by Innove. Upon successful completion of the examination, the qualification shall be certified by an international diploma. This diploma is the basis for substituting the State Examination with an international one;
3) Take an international examination in English, French, German or Russian deemed equivalent (at least level B1, chosen from a pre-approved list) to the State Examination at their own expense and present the school with an international diploma. This diploma is the basis for substituting the State Examination with an international one.