Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
Tehnika 18, 10149 Tallinn, Estonia. The school is located in central Tallinn, near the Old Town and the Telliskivi creative district, and is easily accessible by car or public transport.
Nursery, Primary, Secondary; students aged 4–18.
Accredited European School
SEN teacher; psychologist; nurse; and other welfare professionals available on site.
Estonia
The school building is open 8:00–18:00. Precare for Nursery is 8:00–9:00; Precare for P1–P2 is 8:00–8:50. Lessons start at 08:15 for P3–S7, 09:00 for Nursery, and 09:05 for P1–P2. Canteen opens 8:00–16:30 with Breakfast 8:00–10:50, Lunch 11:50–14:15, Afternoon snack 14:50–16:00. Aftercare runs 16:00–18:00 for Nursery and 15:40–18:00 (14:50 on Wednesdays) for P1–P4.
The school is well connected by Tallinn public transport. The stop Kelmiküla is in front of the building and serves trolleybus lines 1, 4 and 5 and bus lines 22, 40, 41/41B, 43 and 59. Balti Jaam (central station) is nearby. Public transport is free for Tallinn residents with a registered Smartcard.
The school enforces a dress code rather than a formal uniform. The guidelines require skirts, skorts and shorts to extend below fingertip length, shoulders to be covered, hats not to be worn inside, indoor shoes, and outerwear to be stored in the cloakroom; secondary pupils store backpacks in the cloakroom or lockers.
The canteen is operated by Baltic Restaurants Estonia AS and serves breakfast and lunch at a self-service counter. Breakfast options include porridges, eggs and omelettes, soft cheese pudding with jam, mini pancakes, and bread with spreads; lunch offers hot main dishes with three hot sides and at least three salads, with a daily vegetarian option; Afterschool Activity Packs are available; the school participates in the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme.
Tallinn European School is owned by Sihtasutus Euroopa Kool (European School Foundation), established in 2018; it is the only Accredited European School in Estonia. The founder is the Republic of Estonia, with the Ministry of Education and Research exercising founder rights. Governance is provided by the foundation's board and a management team, and the school operates under the European Schools framework.
The school follows the European Schools curriculum leading to the European Baccalaureate. It is the only Accredited European School in Estonia and the Baltics. The school offers two language sections: English (Nursery to Secondary 7) and French (Nursery to Primary 5). Instructions are generally given in the language of the respective section, and language learning follows L1/L2/L3 structure with L2 compulsory from P1 to S7 and L3 compulsory from S1 to S5. The European Baccalaureate is delivered at the school and is recognized by universities across the EU and beyond. For 2024/2025, TES provides lessons in 11 official EU languages.
Graduates pursue higher education across Europe and beyond, as the European Baccalaureate is a recognized entry qualification for higher education in EU countries and beyond. TES also hosts Career Day to present university options in Estonia and abroad.
There are advanced level options in some subjects; students may study some subjects for two periods, four periods or at an advanced level. Optional courses can be opened if a minimum of five students sign up for the course and a qualified teacher is available.
KiVa antibullying programme is implemented in Primary and Secondary to prevent bullying and foster positive social relationships. A pupil welfare team supports social and emotional wellbeing, including a school nurse, a psychologist, and a SEN teacher. Extracurricular activities and aftercare options until 18:00 provide opportunities to socialize and build relationships.
Educational support and inclusive education are provided, with a dedicated SEN teacher. A Policy on the Provision of Educational Support and Inclusive Education guides this provision (latest version: 3 December 2024).
The school offers two language sections: English (all levels) and French (Nursery and Primary only). If there is no respective mother tongue learning possibility, the pupil's L1 is the language of instruction of their language section (English or French). In Secondary, the English section is the language of instruction. The school provides instruction in 11 European languages overall, including English and French.
The school nurse works with pupils, teachers and parents to promote good health and wellbeing. A psychologist is available as part of the pupil welfare services to support mental health.
The school provides a safe, healthy, secure and supportive learning environment. KiVa antibullying programme supports safeguarding by addressing bullying and fostering respectful behavior school-wide.
1. Official admission period for the 2026/2027 school year runs from 12 January to 13 March. Current students are not required to reapply.
2. Language requirements: The school provides two language sections—English (all classes) and French (Nursery and Primary only). The mother tongue/dominant language (L1) is compulsory from P1 to S7, and a second language (L2) is compulsory from P1 to S7; L2 becomes the language of instruction for some subjects from Secondary 3. A third language (L3) is compulsory from S1 to S5 (optional in S6–S7). At the start of Secondary 1, students must have A2 level in L2, and the school may conduct language tests to verify levels.
3. Application fee: An application fee of 200 euros is payable on application and is non-refundable. The fee does not apply to children of employees of EU institutions and agencies. Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card; cash payments are not accepted.
4. Tuition and charges: Tuition for 2026/2027 is Nursery 4,610 euros per year; Primary 5,400 euros per year; Secondary 6,600 euros per year. Fees may be paid in monthly installments; if a yearly payment is needed (e.g., through an employer), confirm at admission. The costs of canteen, extracurricular activities, aftercare, transport, field trips and study materials are not included.
5. Enrolment categories: TES has two categories. Category I covers children of EU institutions and agencies; Category II covers children of foreigners living and working in Estonia if the children cannot study in their mother tongue in a local state or private school. Category II enrolment is subject to availability. Priority is given to the children of EU diplomats in Tallinn; within Category II priority is given to children who have previously studied in one of TES's section languages (English or French).
6. Online application: The application and documents are submitted through the online admission application form of MySchool. First, create an account in the system; thereafter applications can be filled out and submitted. Personal information is processed according to the Principles of Processing of Personal Data. If a study place cannot be provided, all accounts and shared data will be deleted shortly before the beginning of the next admission period.
7. What the process involves: A family interview (via Skype) to understand the pupil's previous education, languages spoken at home, and family routines. A trial day may be arranged if requested to observe the pupil in class. Language tests may be conducted: L1 from Primary 3; L2 from Primary 3; L3 from Secondary 2. A Mathematics test may be required.
8. How class level is decided: The school follows the table of equivalences drawn up under Article 11 of the Convention defining the Statute of the European Schools; age and emotional maturity are also considered.
9. Entry timing: Pupils are admitted at the beginning of the school year in the calendar year in which the child reaches the minimum age of the class requested.
10. Additional notes: If vacancies exist, new applications may be considered outside the standard January–March period for Category II; otherwise Category I applies. The school reserves the right to decide whether to accept applications outside the application period.
The school offers tuition-fee reductions: Family-based Reduction for families with more than one TES pupil; Employee's Reduction for parents or legal representatives who work at TES with a minimum 0.6 workload.
The school has a dormitory for boarding. The dormitory provides mattress, blanket, pillow and bed linen, and bed linen is regularly changed. Dorm residents have access to washing machines and dryers, a sauna, and a computer classroom for quiet study. There is no kitchen; the school offers a meal plan.
Catering is provided by Baltic Restaurants Estonia AS. Catering is available in two locations: the lunch restaurant located in the sports centre and the school canteen. To eat in the canteen, students must set up a meal plan and submit meal requests via a form at the start of the month.
Audentese Koolide SA governs Audentes International School.
Audentes International School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) for grades 11-12. The Diploma Programme is a two-year, internationally recognised programme with a core of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). The Diploma Programme curriculum combines a core with six subject groups; students typically take six subjects, usually three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, including a second language from Groups 1 or 2. Audentes provides DP subjects across Groups 1–6, including English A Language and Literature, English B, Estonian A Literature, Russian A Language and Literature, and language acquisition options such as Spanish Ab Initio and German Ab Initio; Group 3 offers Business Management, Economics, History of Europe, and Psychology; Group 4 covers Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; Group 5 covers Mathematics; Group 6 includes Visual Arts. The Diploma Programme is taught in English and is recognised by leading universities.
Audentes graduates have progressed to universities around the world. Destinations include the University of Geneva, University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, The Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian Business School, University of Kent, Bucks New University, Trinity College Dublin, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Jönköping International Business School, Fordham University, California Polytechnic State University, Humber College, University of Nicosia, and Howest University of Applied Sciences.
Scholarships for outstanding IB candidates may cover a full study fee according to statutes. Pre-IB scholarships are available, and in the past two full scholarships have been awarded to talented students.
Admission is open for the next school year 2025/2026. Students who do not live in Estonia and want to pass entrance tests into Pre-IB or DP1 may register through the IB coordinator to the exams via Teams.
Scholarships for IB students – For outstanding IB candidates there is the possibility of a scholarship equal to one full study fee according to the statutes.
Valukoja 9, Tallinn 11415, Estonia. Ülemiste City is the largest smart-city district in the Baltic states and houses the Tallinn International Airport and a major shopping mall. The campus is easily reachable by public transport, with nearby bus stops and a short walk to Ülemiste Train Station (Ülemiste Jaam). The tram connection to the campus was closed due to Rail Baltica works, with alternative arrangements in place as of 2025.
Ages 3–19; Preschool through Grade 12. The school follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework with Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Preschool–Grade 5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, and Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12.
Private international IB World School (Tallinn International School OÜ).
Over 50 nationalities are represented among students and staff, including British, South African, Italian, Maltese, Ukrainian, American, and more.
IST is inclusive and non-selective and provides support for a broad range of needs. The school offers Medical Support, Counselling, and Learning Support, coordinated by a Student Support Coordinator who works with external agencies as needed. Admissions consider students' SEN, with the possibility of general, enhanced, or special support based on resources.
Estonia
The 2025/2026 academic year runs 1 September 2025 to 12 June 2026 (two semesters with breaks). Arrival begins at 08:45 (Homeroom for Grades 6–12); Hour 1 runs 09:00–09:45, Hour 2 09:55–10:40, Hour 3 10:45–11:30; Lunch/Recess 11:30–12:45; Hour 4 11:30–12:15; Hour 5 12:45–13:30; Hour 6 13:40–14:25 (PreSchool–Grade 3 finish then). Aftercare begins at 14:25, Hour 7 14:30–15:15, Hour 8 15:15–16:45 (DP Flex time). Aftercare is available on school days from 14:25 to 18:00 (3.5 hours).
IST is easily accessible by Tallinn public transport. The Valukoja stop is about 100 meters from the campus. Bus lines 15 (Estonia–Sõjamäe), 2 (Balti Jaam–Mõigu), 7 (Seli–Sõjamäe) with a stop at Ülemiste City, 13 (Priisle–Väike-Õismäe), 45 (Väike-Õismäe–Ülemiste City), and 49 (Viimsi–Ülemiste City) serve the area. Elron trains stop at Ülemiste Jaam, a short walk from campus.
IST has a dress code for Grades 1–12; uniforms are supplied by the official supplier, Norrison. Grades 1–8 must wear the uniform top, while Grades 9–12 must wear a top bearing the IST logo; lower-body clothing is black, navy, or dark grey and skirts must be knee-length; outer layers must be royal blue, dark indigo, or white and may display the IST logo; PE clothing has its own guidelines.
Breakfast is served 8:00–9:00 in the canteen; lunch is served 10:45–11:15 for preschool and 11:30–12:45 for Grades 1–12. A private catering company prepares fresh meals daily with vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-free options on request; milk and bread are included and pork has an alternative protein option. Pupils may bring food from home to heat in the canteen; weekly menus are posted on school TVs; meals cost 2.20€ for breakfast, 5.85€ for lunch, and 2.60€ for a snack; meals are not included in tuition.
IST is owned by Mainor Group and was founded in September 2017 as part of Mainor's Ülemiste City ecosystem; the owner and management team have extensive experience in education.
IST uses IB-based curricula across PYP, MYP, and DP. The PYP runs six Units of Inquiry for ages 3–12 and uses an inquiry-driven, transdisciplinary approach; English is the language of instruction with ESL support. Estonian is taught to Grades 1–5; foreign languages include French, German, Russian and Spanish. The MYP provides an academically challenging framework that connects learning across subjects. The DP, launched in 2022, uses six subject groups and a DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, CAS); a passing diploma requires at least 24 points from six subjects (42 points) plus up to 3 core points for a maximum of 45.
Average class size: 18 students; average student-to-teacher ratio: 1:8.
The Diploma Programme is internationally recognized by universities and employers; final DP grades are awarded on a 1–7 scale per subject, with a total maximum of 45 points. A diploma requires at least 24 points from six subjects, plus a point for each core component (TOK, EE, CAS) to reach the maximum of 45. IST teaches English as the primary language for the DP, with additional language options available.
IST provides career and university guidance from early adolescence through graduation. The program uses Unifrog to research universities, compare courses, and prepare applications, and uses the IBO Recognition Database to check IB diploma recognition. Recent early offers include London Film Academy (UK), BIMM University Berlin (Germany), UCL (UK), Maastricht University (The Netherlands), and Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia).
PSPE (Personal, Social and Physical Education) ensures the physical and emotional well-being of students. The school counsellor is available to speak to students about social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. The IST mission states teachers equip students to succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and morally. The IB framework and IST policies emphasise personal, social, and emotional development as a core part of learning. Social-emotional learning is embedded across the curriculum with pastoral support to foster wellbeing.
IST is inclusive and non-selective, and supports students with a broad range of needs. The school maintains a Learning Support Programme and an Individual Education Plan (IEP) process for identified students, coordinated by a Student Support Coordinator or equivalent. The admission process requires documentation and consideration of whether IST can meet a student's SEN needs before enrollment. Students with SEN are identified through a staged model of assessment and provision, with differentiated teaching and ongoing review of IEP targets. The school provides a range of supports including counselling and school psychology as part of its SEN services, and maintains a SEN coordination framework across PYP, MYP and DP.
The official language of instruction is English. English language learning is integrated across the curriculum, with focused ESL tuition in Language and Literature and additional ESL support during school hours or after school. Estonian as an Additional Language and Mother Tongue support are offered, and language learning is aligned with IB standards. The school emphasizes achieving proficiency in at least two languages and supports language development across subject areas. Language policy also promotes maintaining mother tongue development and accommodating language needs within inclusive classrooms.
The school places emphasis on mental wellbeing as part of holistic development. The school counsellor is available for students facing social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. PSPE supports emotional well-being, and IST's mission highlights support for students academically, socially, emotionally, and morally. The school maintains additional wellbeing resources, including a School Nurse, and communicates wellbeing through staff and student guidance structures. University/career guidance also contributes to students' broader wellbeing and readiness for life beyond IST.
IST has a Child Protection-Safeguarding Policy rooted in International and Estonian law and the UNCRC. Safeguarding leads and a dedicated safeguarding team report to the Director or Deputy, with divisions including the IB Coordinators and Counsellors. Staff receive safeguarding training on risk assessment, safety planning, and student protection, and safeguarding lessons are taught to PK-12 students. The safeguarding policy outlines a formal reporting process, requiring incidents to be reported to the child protection officer (CPO) or trusted adults as soon as reasonably practicable, with investigation and appropriate action by the school. The CPO is the Learning Support Coordinator, who coordinates the safeguarding response and liaises with external agencies as needed.
The International School of Tallinn offers comprehensive education for students aged 3 to 19. Primary enrolment categories include children of foreigners living and working in Estonia; children who have studied abroad in an international school; children seeking English-speaking international school education. Selection criteria: Preschool and PYP (Grades 1-5): the child must have reached the minimum required age by August 31st of the academic year; submission of the application along with the required documents; successful assessment during the Family Interview and Trial Day; availability of places. MYP (Grades 6-10): submission of the application along with the required documents; submission of the study reports for the previous two years; successful results in the admission tests (English and Math), and sufficient assessment of learning outcomes from the previous educational institution; availability of places. DP (Grades 11-12): submission of the application along with the required documents; submission of the study reports for the previous two years; successful results in the admission tests (English, Math, Science), and sufficient assessment of learning outcomes and interview results; availability of places. The school also accepts students who have started the Diploma Programme at other IB schools, provided that IST currently offers the subjects they studied. To begin the enrolment process, fill out the online enrolment form. Enrolment steps: Step 1 — Online form: Fill the online enrolment form. Step 2 — Admission Assessment: Interview, Trial Day and Admission test. Step 3 — Final Results: Signing the schooling contract after successful admission assessment results.
Discounts include: Family Discount (The family discount applies to families and households with at least two members studying at IST. A family is formed by persons who are related as spouses or as a parent and child. A household consists of people residing at the same address who are connected by sharing the same household and raising a child together. The family discount is applied to all children studying at IST who are included in the same family or household. The amount of the family discount will be calculated based on the entire annual fee, including the study place fee and the monthly fee. Discount percentage: 2 students 10%; 3 students 15%; 4 and more students 20%. The discount is valid until all / both related children are studying at the International School of Tallinn. Loyalty Discount: The International School of Tallinn has the right, not the obligation, to offer up to a 5% loyalty discount on tuition fees to families whose children are already studying at IST. The loyalty discount is considered each year according to the school's budgetary possibilities. If a new family joins in the first half of the current school year (until 31.12), a 3% discount for loyalty will be offered for the next school year. Joining during the second half of the current school year will not yet provide eligibility for the loyalty discount of the next school year. Ülemiste City Discount: Ülemiste City District employees can apply for a 10% discount on the tuition fees of their children at IST. To apply for the discount, the parent must be prepared to present the confirmation of employment in Ülemiste City District proven by the employer. From the second school year at the IST, the Ülemiste City District discount remains 10% which includes the school's loyalty discount up to 5%. Mainor University (EUAS) Discount: Mainor University (EUAS) students can apply for a 10% discount on the tuition fees of their children at IST. To apply for the discount, the parent must be prepared to present the confirmation letter from Mainor University. From the second school year at the IST, the Ülemiste City District discount of 10% will also include the loyalty discount rate. Needs-based Discount: If the amount of the tuition fee forms an exceptionally unproportioned share in the calculation of the family's income, and the family may likely face difficulties in covering their other expenses after payment of the tuition fee, the school may reduce the amount of the tuition fee by up to 25 percent (25%) of the amount of the annual tuition fee (in total, together with all other types of discount) or extend the due date based on a separately agreed payment schedule. A family that intends to apply for a tuition fee discount due to economic reasons must be prepared to submit to the management board of IST. IST Employees Discount: Employees may apply for an employee discount. The International School of Tallinn management board will decide the amount of the discount.
