Starting in the fall of 2025, five schools transitioning to Estonian-language education in Tallinn will, for the first time, open classes where instruction is conducted at the mother-tongue level of Estonian. These classes are offered through citywide enrollment, meaning children are not automatically assigned to these classes. The decision to enroll a child in one of these classes rests with the parents.
According to Deputy Mayor Aleksei Jašin, the ultimate goal of the transition to Estonian-language education is to establish a unified Estonian-language school system by 2030, where children of different linguistic backgrounds learn together and acquire high-level Estonian language skills. Achieving this goal will require significant effort in Tallinn, but the first steps have already been taken.
“Our goal is to provide children who speak Estonian as their mother tongue with the best possible education in a local environment. These classes are designed for children with diverse backgrounds, including those who speak Estonian as their mother tongue, bilingual children, and children with other mother tongues who have an excellent command of Estonian,” Jašin said. “Tallinn’s aim is to ensure equal opportunities in education for all children, regardless of their home language. The five selected transition schools are ready to offer high-quality Estonian-language instruction at the mother-tongue level starting next school year. These schools are making every effort to create an environment that fully supports children who speak Estonian as their mother tongue,” he added.
Citywide enrollment for classes taught in Estonian as a mother tongue is available at the following municipal schools:
- Tähesaju Gümnaasium (known as Lasnamäe Vene Gümnaasium until September 1, 2025)
- Tallinna Läänemere Gümnaasium
- Tõnismäe Reaalkool
- Mustamäe Humanitaargümnaasium
- Tallinna Mahtra Põhikool
Each school has unique strengths. For instance, Tõnismäe Reaalkool has offered high-quality education for over two centuries, known for its strong focus on science and mathematics and a modern learning environment. Mustamäe Humanitaargümnaasium supports student development through an immersion program and a wide range of foreign languages, including English, German, and French, at the high school level. Tallinna Läänemere Gümnaasium is recognized for its high-quality education and early immersion programs, promoting language skills and intercultural communication. The school was awarded the national “Immersion Institution of the Year 2019” prize. Tähesaju Gümnaasium supports students in a multilingual environment, offering individual approaches and opportunities to learn foreign languages such as English, German, French, Finnish, and Japanese at the high school level. Tallinna Mahtra Põhikool will open its first class following the Montessori methodology.
Parents are encouraged to explore the schools and the available classes and register their children for enrollment. Information about enrollment conditions and deadlines can be found on each school’s website. Registration is currently open for Mustamäe Humanitaargümnaasium, Tõnismäe Reaalkool, and Läänemere Gümnaasium. Registration for Tähesaju Gümnaasium will begin in early February. Registration for the Montessori class at Mahtra Põhikool has already concluded. Admission tests will follow registration to assess children’s Estonian language proficiency.
Citywide enrollment ensures that children can apply to these first-grade classes regardless of whether the schools are in their designated residential area. This provides families with the opportunity to choose an Estonian-language learning environment regardless of their place of residence.
Source: tallinn.ee