Citizens of Russia have the right to education which is guaranteed by the Constitution. School education is free of charge.
In Russia there is nine-year compulsory education, but to enter a university one has to study two years more.
School starts at the age of six or seven for Russian children. Primary and secondary school together comprise eleven years of study. 11 years program was introduced in Russia 15 years ago, but until recently most of students spent actually 10 years at school, going from the third grade to the fifth. Only few students went to the fourth grade.
Curriculum
Russian system of education has 3 stages: primary school, middle school and high school.
Most of subjects are compulsory in schools, but there are also optional courses, especially in high school, where students can deep their knowledge and skills in different subjects.
In primary school (grade 1-4) students learn reading, writing, basics of mathematics, art, sport.
In middle school (grades 5-9) such subjects as Russian language and Literature, Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Physics, Foreign language (mostly English, but also French and German) Biology, History, Graphics, Human and Society are taught. Many regions now provide study in Regional History and Geography. Nowadays teachers can choose course books from the list of books recommended by Ministry of education or introduce the curricula of their own.
Exams
After the 9 th grade students must pass compulsory exams in 4 subjects and they receive the certificate of middle school graduation. Students can choose to enter high school or go to vocational school or college where they will continue their academic study and get profession.
High school includes grades 10 and 11. Students study practically the same subjects as in middle school, but most schools now provide special classes where particular subjects are learnt at advanced level. To get certificate students pass 2 compulsory exams in Russian literature (composition) and Algebra (written exam) and also 4 oral exams in subjects of their choice.
Several years ago the central exam in all school subjects was introduced. It's held with the same tasks in all Russian school, on one particular day for this or that subject. It is passed in a form of written tests the students write under observance of people who were specially trained for this purpose. The results are sent to Moscow and checked by a machine. Then, students get certificate with the points. Many universities take the central exams results points for entrance exams.
After finishing secondary school, lyceum or gymnasium one can go on to higher education. All applicants must take competitive examinations. Entrance examinations are held in July and August.
Lyceums and gymnasiums
Lyceums and gymnasiums make about 5 % of total number of Russian schools.
Gymnasiums are types of schools that focus on subjects in Humanities. Here students have more lessons, studying compulsory subjects like in schools of general education plus additional lessons on Humanities.
Lyceums usually focus on technical and natural study. As a rule, these are high schools, 10 th and 11 th grade, that belong to a university with teaching done mostly by university teachers. Studying in lyceums makes it easier to enter university a school is attached to. But curricula are much more difficult than in general schools.
Private schools
The number of private schools in Russia is about 1 %. Students must pay for their education. Variety of additional subjects is taught at private schools, like playing musical instruments, drama, dancing and others. Classes are usually are very small there.
In Russia there is nine-year compulsory education, but to enter a university one has to study two years more.
School starts at the age of six or seven for Russian children. Primary and secondary school together comprise eleven years of study. 11 years program was introduced in Russia 15 years ago, but until recently most of students spent actually 10 years at school, going from the third grade to the fifth. Only few students went to the fourth grade.
Curriculum
Russian system of education has 3 stages: primary school, middle school and high school. Most of subjects are compulsory in schools, but there are also optional courses, especially in high school, where students can deep their knowledge and skills in different subjects.
In primary school (grade 1-4) students learn reading, writing, basics of mathematics, art, sport.
In middle school (grades 5-9) such subjects as Russian language and Literature, Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Physics, Foreign language (mostly English, but also French and German) Biology, History, Graphics, Human and Society are taught. Many regions now provide study in Regional History and Geography. Nowadays teachers can choose course books from the list of books recommended by Ministry of education or introduce the curricula of their own.
Exams
After the 9 th grade students must pass compulsory exams in 4 subjects and they receive the certificate of middle school graduation. Students can choose to enter high school or go to vocational school or college where they will continue their academic study and get profession. High school includes grades 10 and 11. Students study practically the same subjects as in middle school, but most schools now provide special classes where particular subjects are learnt at advanced level. To get certificate students pass 2 compulsory exams in Russian literature (composition) and Algebra (written exam) and also 4 oral exams in subjects of their choice.
Several years ago the central exam in all school subjects was introduced. It's held with the same tasks in all Russian school, on one particular day for this or that subject. It is passed in a form of written tests the students write under observance of people who were specially trained for this purpose. The results are sent to Moscow and checked by a machine. Then, students get certificate with the points. Many universities take the central exams results points for entrance exams.
After finishing secondary school, lyceum or gymnasium one can go on to higher education. All applicants must take competitive examinations. Entrance examinations are held in July and August.
Lyceums and gymnasiums
Lyceums and gymnasiums make about 5 % of total number of Russian schools.
Gymnasiums are types of schools that focus on subjects in Humanities. Here students have more lessons, studying compulsory subjects like in schools of general education plus additional lessons on Humanities.
Lyceums usually focus on technical and natural study. As a rule, these are high schools, 10 th and 11 th grade, that belong to a university with teaching done mostly by university teachers. Studying in lyceums makes it easier to enter university a school is attached to. But curricula are much more difficult than in general schools.
Private schools
The number of private schools in Russia is about 1 %. Students must pay for their education. Variety of additional subjects is taught at private schools, like playing musical instruments, drama, dancing and others. Classes are usually are very small there.