How can foreign children enroll & attend Russian schools?

As of April 1, 2025, new requirements have taken effect: the admission of foreign children to public and municipal schools is subject to two mandatory conditions:

– documentation of legal residence in the Russian Federation;

– successful completion of a Russian language test sufficient to master the educational curriculum.

If either of these conditions are not met, the school has the right to refuse admission. However, if you have the necessary documents, consider yourself just one step away from enrollment!

1. Features of education in Russian public schools

Most public schools operate on a morning schedule, from Monday through Friday. Sometimes, Saturday is also a school day, but this is usually the case in special schools. The school day typically begins at 8:00, 8:30 or 9:00 am and ends between 1:00 and 4:00 pm. Free hot meals are provided for elementary (primary) school students (grades 1–4). After-school programs, meanwhile, run until 6:00–7:00 pm.

The education system consists of three levels:

Primary general education (grades 1–4) focuses on developing students’ basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic; introducing them to the basics of algebra, geometry and logic; as well as teaching them the rules of spelling and punctuation, language theory and the phenomena of the surrounding world.

Secondary general education (grades 5–9) focuses on the study of core subjects: Russian and foreign languages, literature, mathematics and computer science, history, geography, social studies, biology, physics and chemistry. This stage concludes with the ‘Main State Exam’ (‘Osnovoy Gosudarstvenny Eksamen’) at the end of 9th grade.

Typically, the OGE covers four subjects: two compulsory (Russian language and mathematics) and two elective. However, on an experimental basis, in some regions, only Russian language and mathematics may be compulsory for graduates planning to enroll in community colleges. These results influence the grades on the diploma and admission to colleges or technical schools.

Tertiary general education (grades 10–11) involves studying the previous subjects at a more advanced level and preparing for the Unified State Exam (‘Yedinny Gosudarstvenny Eksamen’) at the end of 11th grade. Russian language and mathematics (basic or advanced) are compulsory; the remaining subjects are chosen by the student for university admission. Graduates can take any number of the 15 subjects on offer to increase their chances of admission, but the minimum is two compulsory subjects plus at least one elective.

Education at all three levels is free. 

Holidays & extracurricular activities

Russian schools generally have two main approaches to planning the academic year. The easiest way to find out which system a particular school uses is to check its official website.

Under the four-term system, the academic year is divided into four unequal parts (terms, quarters), with vacations occurring after each one: mid-fall, New Year's, mid-spring and the three summer months. The third term is the longest and most challenging, so an extra week of rest is provided in the middle for the youngest students.

The trimester (modular) system divides the academic year into three parts, which, in turn, consist of study blocks (modules): five weeks of school followed by a week of vacation. Thanks to this approach, the workload is distributed evenly, preventing children from becoming overly tired. However, New Year's and summer holidays are the same, regardless of the vacation system.

As for extracurricular activities and clubs that operate directly at schools, children can attend them directly after school. A range of activities is available to suit every taste. These include clubs for in-depth study of subjects and preparation for academic competitions (eg. Olympiads); theater and dance studios, choirs, fine arts and arts and crafts clubs; soccer, basketball, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics and even martial arts in some schools; robotics, 3D modeling, programming, aircraft modeling, journalism, local history and much more.

Classes in these programs last from 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the program. Many of them are also free and registration is done via the ‘Gosuslugi’ portal.

Schoolchildren also often go on class trips to the theater, on museum excursions, and on educational field trips. However, parents are required to pay for these.

2. Russian Language Testing

Starting April 1, 2025, testing is mandatory for all foreign children enrolling in grades 1–11 (with some exceptions).

Testing is conducted in various formats. For admission to grade 1, an oral interview is required. For grades 2–11, there are oral and written sections. A "satisfactory" grade or a 3 on a 5-point scale, is sufficient for admission.

Testing is free for students' families and is funded by the state budget. A referral for the test is issued by the school to which the student plans to enroll. No advanced registration is required – simply contact the school of your choice.

The following are exempt from testing: children transferring from another Russian school; those who have received a Russian certificate for 9th grade and are entering grade 10; citizens of Belarus; participants in the ‘State Program for Assistance to the Voluntary Resettlement of Compatriots’; and certain categories of foreigners working in diplomatic missions. 

3. How to enroll in the chosen school:

Applications for first grade for the next academic year open on April 1 and are accepted in two stages:

April 1 – June 30 – for children residing in the school's assigned area (based on registration), as well as for those eligible for priority admission.

July 6 – September 5 – for all others (subject to availability).

For transfers to other grades (2nd through 11th), the deadlines are more flexible: applications can be submitted throughout the school year, subject to availability.

You can submit an application in the following ways:

– Online via the ‘Gosuslugi’ portal (a verified account is required)

– Through the ‘Multifunctional Center’ (the service is free and staff will assist with the application process)

– By registered mail with notification of receipt (but this takes a long time)

– In person at the local administration's education department

Required documents

When submitting an application (scanned copies) the following are required:

– Passport of the parent or legal guardian (with a notarized translation, if the information is in a foreign language).

– Identity document of the child (for foreigners – a passport; for stateless persons – a temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit).

– Child's birth certificate (with a notarized translation).

– Documents confirming the legality of the parents’ and child’s stay in the Russian Federation (permanent residence permit, temporary residence permit, migration card, visa, etc.).

– Document confirming the child's registration at their place of residence or place of stay.

– Document confirming successful completion of the Russian language proficiency test (issued by the school).

– Medical certificate confirming the absence of infectious diseases that pose a danger to others (issued at the local clinic).

– ‘SNILS’ (if available).

– For children in grades 5–11, in some regions, a document confirming fingerprint registration is required.

All documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a notarized translation into Russian.

The waiting period for enrollment depends on the region's workload and availability. You can track your application status in your personal account on the ‘Gosuslugi’ portal or at the ‘Multifunctional Center’.

When it is your turn, you will receive a notification – usually, the school administration will contact you. Within the specified time frame, you must:

– submit a written application for admission (following the school's template);

– provide originals or notarized copies of the documents listed above;

– bring a medical record (form 026/u) with the results of medical examinations, tests and vaccination records;

– present a compulsory health insurance policy.

After this, an enrollment order is issued and your child begins classes.

What will cost a small fee?

As mentioned above, education in Russian public schools is free. However, some services do cost a small fee. School meals for grades 5 to 11 cost approximately 100–300 rubles per day. After-school programs can cost a nominal fee. In addition, extracurricular activities and clubs sometimes require a small monthly fee.

If there are no openings at the schools you’ve chosen, the local education authority is obligated to offer alternatives within the district. Refusing a place altogether is not possible: the law guarantees a place for a foreign child in a public school, but not necessarily in the one indicated as a priority on the application.