Tartu International School

The school promotes a caring, supportive, and internationally-minded learning environment that is child-centred and inquiry-based. It values joy, curiosity, and an active, outdoorsy approach to education. The community emphasizes strong collaboration between parents and teachers to foster the personal and academic growth of every student.

The school follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 3 to 12, focusing on a transdisciplinary and inquiry-based approach. Grades 7–9 follow an adapted Estonian national curriculum, with the school currently working toward the implementation of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). Instruction is in English, with Estonian offered as both a mother tongue and a foreign language.

The school provides dedicated student support services, including a school counsellor and a special education specialist. These professionals work to support the well-being of students and staff, assist with social skills development, and provide guidance on stress management and self-compassion. The school also employs a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) to oversee individual learning requirements.

The school admits students of any nationality and mother tongue, with no requirement for prior English proficiency. The admission process involves an online registration form, an interview with the family, and the submission of official documents including previous school reports. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year if places are available, though the primary admission period runs from February to June.

The academic year typically runs from late August to early June, comprising 175 school days divided into five terms. The calendar includes scheduled breaks for autumn, winter, ski, and spring holidays, alongside various public holidays. The school year concludes with graduation exams for Grade 9 students in April and May.

Located in a fully renovated building at J. Liivi 2d, the school is situated in an area of cultural and environmental value near the town centre. The campus features modern learning environments, including classrooms designed for small group sizes. Students have access to outdoor spaces, with the school day incorporating two outdoor breaks for primary students.

The school offers a variety of after-school clubs for all ages to enrich the student experience. Additionally, after-school care is provided for students in grades 1 through 4 until 17:00. The school also participates in several external initiatives, including the Eco-Schools programme, the Schools in Motion network, the Free of Bullying programme, and the Healthy Schools network.