School-Life

Our school is situated between the Old Town of Tallinn and modern Tallinn. We may also say the same about the atmosphere of the school. Tallinna Reaalkool (Tallinn Secondary School of Science) has a rich and vivid history. Our pupils have the possibility of studying in a historical building from the 19th century in which the learning environment has been modernised. Tallinna Reaalkool is open to change and innovation and at the same time holds its traditions in very high esteem. This results in the unique atmosphere of the school.

A bit less than 1000 pupils between the ages 7−19 study at Tallinna Reaalkool. The number of teachers is about 75. In addition to full-time teachers, lecturers and researchers from universities and other educational institutions teach courses at the school. For more than 20 years the pupils have issued their own school newspaper Reaali Poiss (Reaal Boy). It is published on paper but can also be read on the Internet http://www.real.edu.ee/ajaveeb/rp/.

The pupils have a chance to participate in discussions on important topics of school life through the student council Reaali Esinduskoda (REK). The President of the student council is elected every year by the pupils and is a member of the Senior Management Team. Reaali Esinduskoda organises various activities and events and helps to preserve school traditions.

Tallinna Reaalkool is proud of its academic traditions and the main focus of the school is on academic studies. The curriculum of the school is science-oriented: all pupils study extensive mathematics and additional courses in physics, biology, chemistry and geography. Upper secondary school pupils choose between four fields of study: programming, technology, economics and medicine. Taking part in different national and international programs and competitions is an integral part of the daily school life at Tallinna Reaalkool. To guarantee that pupils have the best environment for learning Hoolekogu (Board of Trustees) and Tallinna Reaalkooli Hoolekande Selts work hand in hand.

Academic achievements

Many of our pupils participate in regional and national olympiads in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, ICT and other subjects. The dedication, hard work, good co-operation skills and talent of our pupils has taken a number of them to international olympiads. During the past years approximately 1/3 of the members of the Estonian delegations to these competitions have been from Tallinna Reaalkool. Our pupils have brought with them gold, silver and bronze medals in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography, informatics, sciences, linguistics, philosophy and music.

Every year our pupils successfully take part in the student research contest organised by Eesti Teadusagentuur (Estonian Research Council). Some of them have also represented their school and country at various international student research competitions and science forums. Pupils of Tallinna Reaalkool also take courses from the Gifted and Talented Development Centre at the University of Tartu.

Sports

Sports has always been popular among our pupils. Throughout the academic year pupils organise various sports competitions between classes and compete with pupils from other schools in Tallinn and Estonia. In the last years, Tallinna Reaalkool has typically been among the top three schools at the sports games competition organised for all schools in Tallinn. Our pupils excel in various fields of sports, although football, basketball and volleyball seem to be most favoured.

One of the most famous sportsmen who graduated from our school is Georg Lurich, the best known Estonian wrestler with a world-wide reputation whose fame has stood the test of time. From 2012 sports competition Reaali Ramm (Strength of Reaal) has been held among upper secondary school pupils for the title of the strongest man of the school.

To boost sports a non-profit organisation The Sports Club was founded in September 2003.

Music

The music life at Tallinna Reaalkool is very active with a mixed choir, children’s choir, elementary school choir, boys’ choir and different ensembles. Their performances accompany festive gatherings and every spring concerts for students, teachers, parents and alumni are organised. Our choirs take part in nationwide and international competitions. In 2015, for example, the girls’ choir of the choir studio won the first place and was awarded a golden diploma at Kalamata International Choir Competition and Festival in the categories of folk and youth choirs. In 2017 at Canta al Mar the same choir was awarded a golden diploma and the first place in the category of children’s choirs; a golden diploma and the second place in the category of folklore and Heli Roos was nominated the best conductor. In 2016 the mixed choir became first at JazzPopFest.