Tallinn, Estonia: International School of Estonia: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

The International School of Estonia (ISE) is a coeducational day school that offers an international educational program for students of all nationalities ages three to nineteen. ISE was founded in 1995. The 2023-2024 school year comprises two semesters from August 21 to June 14.

Organization: ISE is governed by a board elected by and from members of the nonprofit parent association. ISE is organized into an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) elementary school (preschool–grade 5), Middle Years Program (MYP) middle school (grades 6-10), and a Diploma Program (DP) (grades 11-12). It is recognized and fully licensed by the Education Ministry of the Estonian government.

Curriculum: ISE offers a comprehensive education program through an international curriculum. ISE is fully authorized as an International Baccalaureate Continuum World School. The language of instruction is English. ISE is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). ISE exceeds international averages for IB Diploma scores and has graduates moving on to top universities worldwide such as Oxford and Yale. ISE offers a wide variety of cost-free after-school activities to its community.

Innovation: ISE was named a “Best Practice Pioneer” by Cambridge University’s Student Union in 2017. The school is visited by Ministries of Education from around the world, especially in regard to its use of flexible and comfortable learning spaces coupled with very high academic results. The school promotes the idea of “compassionate space” based on the neuroscience of learning.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, ISE has 37 total staff including 31 teachers, 5 of whom are U.S. citizens, 11 host-country nationals, and 15 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent 12 different nationalities, including UK, France, Germany, New Zealand and India. Many staff have advanced degrees, at a minimum the staff have a degree as well as teaching certificate and registration in their home country.

Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 148 (preschool-grade 12). Of the total, 29 were U.S. citizens, 49 were host-country nationals, and 70 were third-country nationals.

Facilities: ISE is located in the heart of downtown Tallinn, just a few minutes walk to the U.S. Embassy and the historic old town area. Based in what was originally a 19th Century Estonian Cavalry building, the school has undergone extensive renovation. There is a Learning Commons and additional individual/group workspaces. The school continues to invest in developing the use of technology in learning and has recently upgraded wireless IT and server infrastructure. With a 1:1 iPad program in the Lower school and the BYO device system in the Middle and Upper School, as well as tech integration support for teachers, the school has been recognized for Innovation in Education. The school has its own gymnasium and access to a neighboring indoor athletic facility and outdoor stadium.

Finances: For the 2023-2024 school year, annual tuition rates are as follows: Preschool (Age 3 & 4): €7,652; kindergarten-grade 5: €21,968; grades 6-10: €23,640; and grades 11-12: €24,512. There is an additional one-time nonrefundable registration fee of €600. All new students in reception to grade 12 are invoiced a one-time capital levy fee of €3,000. (All fees quoted in euros.)

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and provided by the school.