From March 1 to March 15, parents in Tallinn can submit applications for their child to be assigned a municipal school based on their registered home address for first grade starting on September 1, 2025.
According to the Tallinn Education Department, over 4,400 children will reach school age this year. Parents whose children are registered as Tallinn residents in the Population Register can submit their applications for school assignment during this period via eKool online platform.
Deputy Mayor Aleksei Jašin noted that while parents of first-graders were concerned about the transition to Estonian-language education last year, these concerns have now largely subsided. “The first year of the transition has shown that Tallinn’s schools are adapting steadily, even if the process varies across different institutions. All transition schools have managed well, and several have created a strong learning environment, making it possible to open additional classes for students with native-level Estonian skills,” said Jašin.
He added that Tallinn is actively addressing the issue of overcrowded classes. Starting from the next academic year, the city aims to ensure that all first-grade classes do not exceed 24 students. “To achieve this, we must assess the capacity of existing schools and create additional learning spaces. The two new municipal schools opening in Põhja-Tallinn – Tallinna Põhjatähe Põhikool and Tallinna Avatud Kool – will help provide high-quality education close to home. Our goal is clear: every child in every district should have access to an excellent school near their home,” Jašin emphasized.
In September 2025, Tallinn’s education network will expand with two new schools – Tallinna Põhjatähe Põhikool (Karjamaa 18) and Tallinna Avatud Kool (Auna 6). These schools will alleviate the growing shortage of school places in Põhja-Tallinn and offer families modern and nearby education options. Both schools can accommodate up to 648 students from grades 1–9. In the 2025/26 academic year, Tallinna Põhjatähe Põhikool will initially open only first-grade classes, with the rest of the school being filled gradually. This approach allows available spaces to be temporarily used as a substitute location for Kalamaja Põhikool during its renovation.
School placement decisions are made in accordance with the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act and Tallinn’s local regulations, prioritizing proximity to the child’s registered home address and the presence of siblings already attending the school. Parental preferences are also considered where possible. If a school receives more applications than available places, the date of residency registration may be taken into account. Attendance in preschool does not guarantee a school placement.
Parents will receive confirmation of their child’s assigned school via e-mail no later than May 20. They must inform the school by June 10 whether their child will enroll. Unconfirmed places will become available, and from June 11, schools may fill them based on their own admission criteria.
Parents whose children have already secured a place in a citywide admission school do not need to submit an application.
Applications can be submitted via eKool from March 1 to March 15. If necessary, applications can also be submitted in person at the Tallinn Education Department (Estonia pst 5a)
Source: tallinn.ee