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International School of Tallinn

Estonia, Tallinn

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €9,550 - 12,885
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 250
Type Co-educational
Opened 2017
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Estonian, French, German, Spanish, Russian
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, STEM, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Senior Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

International School of Tallinn is a private IB World School located in Ülemiste City, Tallinn, Estonia. It serves students from age 2 to 18 and delivers the IB across the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. English is the language of instruction, with Estonian taught in Grades 1–5 and additional languages including French, German, Russian and Spanish. The Diploma Programme, launched in 2022, features six subject groups and a DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, CAS); a diploma requires a minimum of 24 points from six subjects, with up to 3 extra core points for a maximum of 45. IST occupies a modern campus with a reception area, a library linked to the Estonian Public Library system, and on‑site dining. Sports and science facilities include a gym with multi‑sport courts and laboratories. After‑school activities span sports, arts, languages and technology, with clubs such as Little Scientist Club, Piano and Music Club, Chess and Think, Make, Test; Japanese and Chinese are offered after school.

The Essentials

International School of Tallinn has 250 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
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.

Stages
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.

Type
Private international IB World School (Tallinn International School OÜ).

Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 50 nationalities are represented among students and staff, including British, South African, Italian, Maltese, Ukrainian, American, and more.

Additional learning support
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.

Country affiliation
Estonia

School day structure
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).

Bus service
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.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
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.

Food Options
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.

Governance and Ownership
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.
Fees

Annual tuition at International School of Tallinn ranges from EUR 9,550 to EUR 12,885 for 2026/27.

Application / reservation fee
- A non-refundable reservation fee of EUR 500 is charged to secure a place for the next academic year; this amount is deducted from the initial payment if paid.

Tuition fees (2026/2027 academic year) — annual, initial payment and monthly breakdown by programme
- Early PYP (Preschool): Annual tuition EUR 9,550; Initial payment EUR 1,550 (1/5 of annual tuition); Monthly payment EUR 800 (payments run September–June, 10 months).
- PYP (Grades 1–5): Annual tuition EUR 11,715; Initial payment EUR 2,346 (1/5 of annual tuition); Monthly payment EUR 1,041.
- MYP (Grades 6–10): Annual tuition EUR 12,460; Initial payment EUR 2,488 (1/5 of annual tuition); Monthly payment EUR 1,108 (monthly payments scheduled September–May, 9 months).
- DP (Grades 11–12): Annual tuition EUR 12,885; Initial payment EUR 2,580 (1/5 of annual tuition); Monthly payment EUR 1,145.

How the tuition components work
- The initial payment (study place fee) secures the student's place and is normally equal to one fifth of the annual tuition; the reservation fee (EUR 500) is deducted from this initial payment when applicable. The total tuition is made up of the initial payment plus the monthly instalments, or may be paid as one full annual payment.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Reservation fee due date for current families: 1 April (example due date given for 2026 cohort). The non-refundable initial payment (with deduction of reservation fee) is due by 20 June. Monthly tuition invoices are issued on the first working day of each month and monthly payments are due by the 20th of each month during September–May, except preschool (EYP) monthly payments run until June. One-off or non-regular fees are due as specified on their invoice.
- Invoices are payable to the school's bank account; payments are expected by the deadlines shown on each invoice. Overdue payments incur interest (0.03% per day) and may lead to withdrawal of discounts, suspension of optional services, refusal of re-enrolment, termination of the enrolment agreement after specified periods of non-payment, and potential referral to debt collection if debts exceed 60 days. The school may consider adjusted payment plans in documented hardship cases.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school.

Other costs and optional fees
- School meals: Prices are set annually by the catering provider; current per-day sample prices show breakfast EUR 2.20, lunch EUR 5.85 and afternoon snack EUR 2.60. Meal participation is managed via registration and is invoiced separately.
- Aftercare: Monthly aftercare fees for 2026/2027 (where applicable) are shown as full-time EUR 225/month, half-time EUR 180/month; occasional/part-time childcare uses hourly rates (EUR 10/h for the first two hours, EUR 5/h thereafter). Note that for Early Years Programme aftercare the monthly charge is handled differently (preschool monthly aftercare runs through June).
- English language support (ESL): Mandatory ESL support for students admitted conditionally is charged at EUR 180 per month (minimum programme of lessons until required proficiency is achieved).
- Examination fees: External examination fees (IB DP and MYP e-assessments) are charged separately; estimated ranges for 2026/2027 are approximately EUR 125–150 per DP exam and EUR 75–100 per MYP e-Assessment subject, plus any minor administrative costs.
- Student supplies and uniform: The school may charge for compulsory supplies ordered via the school (approx. EUR 25–50 depending on grade). Uniform items are purchased through a service provider and are invoiced separately. A student identity card is noted as an additional small cost (example: EUR 4.50 in school rules).
- Extra-curricular clubs and many after-school activities are optional and invoiced separately by third-party providers or by the school where specified. Field trips, special projects, and optional trips that fall outside the school's annual budget are charged separately.

Refund and withdrawal policy
- Withdrawal must be submitted in writing as per the enrolment agreement. As a general rule, the reservation fee and the initial payment are non-refundable. The Director has discretionary authority to grant exceptions to refunds (including reservation fee and initial payment) depending on timing and supporting evidence. Refund eligibility for tuition otherwise depends on the timing of withdrawal and compliance with the contractual notice period (45 days for full pro rata adjustment where notice is given). If the required notice period is not met, tuition may continue to accrue for an additional 45 days from the date notice is received.

Fee payment options and bank details
- The school issues invoices and requests payment by bank transfer to Tallinn International School OÜ's account. The school's bank details are provided for invoice payments: AS SEB Bank SWIFT/BIC EEUHEE2X, IBAN EE391010220254207225. The contact page also shows a “PAY HERE OR VIA QR CODE” payment prompt for convenience. When paying, include student name, grade and payment description as the transfer explanation.

Notes on instalment structure
- The initial payment is typically one-fifth of the annual tuition; monthly instalments cover the balance and are scheduled in accordance with the programme (preschool monthly payments run through June; most other programmes are billed monthly September–May). If a student joins or leaves mid-year, tuition is adjusted proportionally based on the actual number of school days attended and the contractual notice provisions.
Academics

International School of Tallinn teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
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.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size: 18 students; average student-to-teacher ratio: 1:8.

Exam Results
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.

Higher Education Progression
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).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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.

Mental Wellbeing
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.

Safeguarding
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.
Parent Experience

History
International School of Tallinn is located in Ülemiste City in Tallinn. The school is established by the Mainor Group, whose owner/management bring extensive experience in local and international education. Olavi Otepalu, the Director, has founded two international schools in Tallinn. IST offers Preschool through Grade 12 with English as the language of instruction, and additional world languages such as French, Spanish, German, or Russian. IST follows International Baccalaureate programs—PYP, MYP, and DP, and the ownership group includes the Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences.

Community
IST has an active school life enriched by community events and participation in international educational networks. The PTA fosters a strong sense of community by organizing events and engaging in community activities, with class representatives from all grades and a teachers' representative who collaborate to support school life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
IST has a vibrant and active Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). The PTA fosters a strong sense of community with class representatives from all grades and a teachers' representative who collaborate to support various aspects of school life. The primary purpose of the PTA is to enhance communication among parents, teachers, and school administrators. Through regular meetings, events, and initiatives, the PTA actively supports the school's social life by organizing events, engaging in community activities, and distributing information to parents. The PTA reflects IST's commitment to collaboration, communication, and a positive educational environment for all members of the school community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
IST is located in Ülemiste City, a modern district near Tallinn Airport. IST's learning environment is diverse and inspiring, with child-friendly and supportive facilities. The campus includes a reception area, a well-stocked library linked to the Estonian Public Library system, and an on-site early years/primary canteen run by a private caterer. The on-site gym has multi-sport courts for basketball, volleyball, and football, and the Assembly Hall houses the MYP/DP canteen and an events space with direct access to an outdoor terrace. Outdoor spaces include a large playground, and secure entry points promote student safety.

Sports Facilities
IST has a modern, fully equipped gymnasium designed to support Physical Education, extracurricular sports and events. It offers multi-sport courts for basketball, volleyball and football, professional-grade equipment, and a bright, well-ventilated space with high-quality flooring and adjustable hoops and nets. The Assembly Hall provides a large, flexible space for school events and canteen services, with direct access to an outdoor terrace. Outdoor playgrounds provide additional space for supervised physical activity. IST's facilities support a comprehensive approach to physical education and sport.

Academic Facilities
Labs are equipped for arts and crafts, chemistry, physics, and biology, with interactive resources to support hands-on learning. The library is well-stocked and connected to the Estonian Public Library system, offering a wide range of titles for study and reading. The Assembly Hall serves as a space for school events and guest presentations and has direct access to an outdoor terrace, supporting a dynamic learning environment. The campus integrates these facilities to support IST's curriculum and student learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
IST offers after-school activities in sports, music and arts, languages and technology. Activities run Monday to Friday between 14:05 and 17:00, with registration by email at activities@ist.ee. Extra-curricular clubs for 2025-2026 include Early Years programs such as Book Club, Dance Club, Little Scientist Club, Early Years Robotics, Piano and Chess (Areng), Primary Years offerings like Computer Game Development, Sketch and Drawing, School of Sports, Jiu Jitsu, Piano, Music Club, Origami and Junior Librarian, and Middle Years/Diploma Programme options such as Basketball Club and Think, Make, Test. Language classes in Chinese and Japanese are also available as part of after-school activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
IST offers after-school activities across academic enrichment, STEM, and competition-oriented clubs. Examples include Little Scientist Club, Early Years Robotics, Robotics I, Computer Game Development, Offline Game Design, and Science Mythbusters Club. Students can also engage in Chess, Reader's Theatre, Origami, and Think, Make, Test: The Young Designer's Journey to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Piano and Music Club provide after-school musical opportunities.

Arts & Creative
IST offers after-school opportunities in music and the visual and performing arts. Students can take Piano lessons, join the Music Club, and attend Sketch and Drawing and Origami clubs. Reader's Theatre supports creative writing and performance, while activities like Drums (Guitar, IST Drum) and Creative and Critical Thinking foster creativity and design thinking. Additional music and drama options are available after school.

Cultural & Language
IST offers a broad foreign language program: English, Estonian, French, Spanish, German, and Russian. After-school language classes include Japanese Class and Chinese Class, with private Chinese tutorials available. The school's multilingual environment is reinforced by a diverse community and language offerings across the curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
IST provides a wide range of recreational clubs and hobby groups. Options include Chess Club Areng, Unicorn Squad, Ping Pong, Cooking Club, and Reader's Theatre, along with Guitar and Drum lessons. Creative clubs such as Origami and Offline Game Design, plus sports-related activities, round out after-school life.

Community & Service
IST has an active school life enriched by community events and participation in international educational networks. The Student Council represents students from Grade 3 through Grade 12, serving as a bridge between students and administration and organizing events to foster a supportive school community. Every year, Student Council elections are held, and students can run for roles such as School President or Vice President.

Leadership & Professional
IST offers personalised career and university counselling for students and parents. Unifrog is the official partner used to research universities and prepare applications, and the IB Diploma is recognised through the IBO Recognition Database. IST highlights recent early university offers from institutions including the London Film Academy, UCL, Maastricht University, and Tallinn University of Technology.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
IST provides wellbeing support through a school counsellor who addresses social, emotional, and behavioural needs and promotes healthy lifestyle habits. A wide range of after-school sports and physical activities is offered, including the MYP and DP Basketball Club, Tennis, and Swim clubs. Counselling and wellbeing services are complemented by a comprehensive program of health and wellness activities and peer support.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the official language of instruction across the school. Estonian is taught as an additional/foreign language from pre-school, with Estonian language and culture instruction across all grade levels. Students are required to study at least two languages, and Language B courses are offered in French B and Spanish B (SL/HL), with Spanish Ab Initio available; English-language instruction is used across subjects. A broad language offering includes English, Estonian, French, Spanish, German, and Russian, and mother tongue support is available. ESL support is provided to help learners as needed.

Immersion Programs
English-language immersion is integrated across the curriculum, with English as the official language of instruction. Estonian is taught as an additional/foreign language from pre-school, and Estonian language and culture are taught across PYP to DP. ESL support is available for learners who need it. The school offers a broad foreign language offering beyond English, including French, Spanish, German, and Russian.
Reputation

Accreditations
NEASC accreditation — IST is NEASC-accredited; NEASC confirms IST meets standards in teaching, leadership, student support, and governance.
IB World School — IST is fully authorized by the International Baccalaureate to deliver all programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
Admissions

Admissions
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.

Scholarships
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.
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