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International Montessori School of Latvia

Latvia, Riga

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €9,900 - 10,200
Ages 2 - 15 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2019
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum
Taught languages Latvian, Ukrainian, Russian
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Languages, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Preschool, Middle School
Introduction

International Montessori School of Latvia is a private English-medium day school in central Riga for children from age 2.5 up to Grade 9. The school began in 2019 as the preschool Pirmie Soļi and later expanded into elementary education. Its programme combines Montessori education with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, and the school states that it is applying for IB Middle Years Programme candidacy for 2026–2027. Students are grouped in Montessori-style mixed-age environments, including ages 3–6, 6–9 and 9–12, with MYP provision for older students. The campus on Mastu iela includes multiple classrooms, a gym, cafeteria, art room, music room, library and two playgrounds. A distinctive feature is its “Going Out” Montessori practice, where students use nearby museums, embassies, parks and historical sites for real-world learning. Language support includes EAL, Latvian Studies, home-language support and French.

Mastu iela 4, Ziemeļu rajons, Rīga, LV-1045, Latvia

The Essentials

International Montessori School of Latvia has instruction in English.

Location

Located in Riga city centre (Riga Centrs), beside Viesturdarzs Park. The central location offers easy access for families in the region. Proximity to museums, embassies and historic sites supports real-world learning opportunities.

Stages

Early childhood through elementary, from 2.5 years to 12 years. It blends Montessori with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Type

English-medium, co-educational school blending Montessori and IB PYP.

Additional learning support

Afternoon classes to maintain students' home languages in Latvian, Russian, and Ukrainian.

School day structure

Core school day runs 9:00–15:30; preschool until 16:30; extended day until 17:00.
Diving Deeper

Food Options

Meal plan meets the Ministry of Health guidelines. All students receive a morning snack, a balanced lunch, and a healthy afternoon snack; preschool students also receive breakfast. Students may bring their own snacks and lunch from home.
Fees

Annual tuition at International Montessori School of Latvia ranges from EUR 9,900 to EUR 10,200 for 2026/27.

Application / Enrolment Fees

- Preschool (ages 2.5–6): Enrolment fee €300 per student. This enrolment fee is an annual, mandatory, non-refundable payment and must be paid within five working days from the date of signing the application. Capital (one‑time) fee €300 per student.

- Elementary & Middle (Grades 1–9): Enrolment fee €1,200 per student. This enrolment fee is an annual, mandatory, non-refundable payment and must be paid within five working days from the date of signing the application. Capital (one‑time) fee €500 per student.

Tuition fees by year group (full detail, instalment options)

- Preschool (ages 2.5–6):
- Annual tuition payable in 6 instalments: €9,900 total (equivalent to €1,650 per instalment).
- Annual tuition payable in 12 instalments: €10,200 total (equivalent to €850 per month).

- Elementary & Middle (Grades 1–9):
- Annual tuition (single or two instalments): €9,900 total (if paid in one instalment the full €9,900 is due; if paid in two instalments each instalment would be €4,950).
- Annual tuition (4 instalments): €9,900 total, payable as €2,550 on each of the following dates: 1 August 2026, 1 November 2026, 1 February 2027, and 1 May 2027.
- Annual tuition (12 instalments): €850 per month (total €10,200 if paid over 12 months).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Enrolment fee: payable within five (5) working days from signing the application. The enrolment fee is mandatory and non-refundable. Capital fee: one‑time payment per student.

- Instalment options:
- Preschool: two published options — 6 instalments or 12 instalments; instalment amounts derive from the stated annual totals.
- Elementary & Middle: options include single or two instalments, a 4‑instalment schedule with fixed dates (1 Aug, 1 Nov, 1 Feb, 1 May), or 12 monthly instalments at €850/month. The 4‑instalment dates and amounts are specified as €2,550 on each due date.

- Mid‑year entry: partial tuition for students entering during the school year is pro‑rated based on the months remaining in the 10‑month school year.

Boarding fees

- The school operates as a day school (no boarding). There are no boarding fees.

Other costs and optional fees

- Meal plan: €6.50 per day (meal plan is optional). Preschool students are provided breakfast in the meal plan; all students receive morning snack, balanced lunch, and afternoon snack when on the plan.

- The enrolment fee covers academic expenses such as books, supplies, and instructional materials for the year (no separate standard book/supplies fee is listed when enrolment fee is charged). Capital fee is raised as a contribution to facilities, equipment, rent or related costs.

- No separate uniform fee, transport fee, or other mandatory recurring fees are published on the tuition pages; specific optional enrichments or after‑school activity fees are described elsewhere but are not listed as compulsory tuition items on the published fee pages.

Refund information and withdrawal / leaving schedule

- For families leaving before the end of the IMSOL academic year the following refund schedule (applied to tuition) is published for departures notified in writing at least 30 days in advance; tuition must be paid for those 30 days:
- Leaving between August 1 and October 31: 60% refund.
- Leaving between November 1 and January 31: 30% refund.
- Leaving between February 1 and April 30: 10% refund.
- Leaving May 1 to last day of school: no refund.

Fee payment options (published information)

- The publicly published tuition pages list instalment options and due dates and specify timing requirements for enrolment fee payment, but do not publish a definitive list of accepted payment methods (for example, specific bank account/IBAN, card acceptance, or online payment processors are not shown on the tuition pages). Policies and administrative documents are linked from the school's policies section and may contain additional payment‑method details.

Brief note on information not published

- The tuition and policies pages include detailed amounts, instalment structures, enrolment and capital fees, meal plan cost, and the refund schedule. The published pages do not include explicit public details of accepted payment methods (bank account numbers, card processors, or step‑by‑step payment instructions are not present on the tuition page). For any payment‑method questions, the school lists a contact phone number and email for admissions and finance queries.
Academics

International Montessori School of Latvia teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum for students aged 2 to 15.

Curriculum

IMSOL teaches in English and follows a Montessori-integrated IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework. The Preschool Program (ages 2.5–6) combines the Montessori Method with IB PYP Early Years, emphasizing child-centered, inquiry-based learning in mixed-age classrooms. The Elementary Program (ages 6–12) blends Montessori with the IB PYP, uses the IB Scope and Sequence for Science and Social Studies, and integrates Common Core standards for Language and Math. IMSOL is a candidate IB World School pursuing authorization for the PYP, and holds dual accreditation with the International Baccalaureate PYP and Waterpark Montessori Institute. The school supports multilingual language development and maintains English as the language of instruction.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school emphasizes social, emotional, and physical development as part of holistic education.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Montessori-trained teachers create individualized learning plans to accommodate different learning styles.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) program is embedded in the morning work cycle with individualized language support in literacy, vocabulary, and sentence formation. The program uses the WIDA framework to support language development, and progress is assessed annually with the WIDA assessment. All new students for whom English is not their home language are screened with the WIDA screener. Proficiency in English is not a prerequisite for admissions.

Mental Wellbeing

The school supports social, emotional, and physical development as part of holistic growth for every child.

Safeguarding

A Safety Policy is in place.
Parent Experience

History

IMSOL grew out of two Montessori preschools. The journey began in 2019 when it was founded as Pirmie Soļi. A second preschool campus opened in 2022 to meet demand. In 2023 IMSOL was authorized to operate as an international school by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science, and in 2024 opened its first Elementary School section for children aged 6-9, while achieving dual accreditation by the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and Waterpark Montessori Institute, the first of its kind in the world. Plans call for two additional classes in the 2025-26 school year (another 6-9 section and an age 9-12 section).

Community

IMSOL is enriched by the mix of cultures and backgrounds represented by families from Latvia and around the world. This diversity is the cornerstone of our community. Parents are warmly welcomed to share their customs, traditions, and stories, providing lessons about global citizenship to students. Together, we embody the attributes of the PYP Learner Profile, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The campus is located on Mastu iela, near Viesturdarzs Park. The new main campus opened in August 2024 and provides space for multiple classrooms, a gym, a full cafeteria, an art room, a music room, a library, and two playgrounds. One preschool classroom is located in an independent building, while the other is in the main campus across the street. The school is the sole English-medium international elementary school in Riga Centrs. The facilities include indoor and outdoor spaces that support a range of learning activities.

Sports Facilities

The main campus includes a gym for indoor physical activities. There are two outdoor playgrounds on the campus. These spaces support regular physical education and movement-based activities. Outdoor spaces are used for breaks and outdoor learning opportunities.

Academic Facilities

The main campus houses multiple classrooms. It includes an art room for visual arts and a music room for instrument learning. A library provides access to books and learning resources. The preschool program operates across two spaces, with one classroom in an independent building and the other in the main campus across the street. The Montessori environment features a classroom designed with child-friendly furniture and a wide array of hands-on learning materials. Outdoor education and access to indoor spaces support student exploration and inquiry.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Enrichments include Music Class (using ukuleles, guitars, pianos, drums and percussion), Art Education, Physical Education, and Foreign Language (9-12). The Going Out program includes supervised, small-group excursions to embassies and other local sites, with parent volunteers assisting with transportation. After School Activities run from 15:30 to 16:15, with an additional 16:15-17:00 session Monday through Thursday for an extra fee. These activities expand learning beyond the core curriculum.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

IMSOL is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) school. The PYP framework is inquiry-based and transdisciplinary, prioritizing conceptual understanding. IMSOL integrates the PYP Scope and Sequence with the Common Core to set high academic standards and create a holistic, rigorous educational experience. PYP students are encouraged to take initiative and responsibility for their learning and to connect ideas across subjects, supporting global citizenship.

Arts & Creative

Music Class develops appreciation for diverse music genres and introduces instruments such as ukuleles, guitars, pianos, and drums. Art Education encourages independent thinking, creative risk-taking, and collaboration, with IB-informed connections across subjects. Enrichments also include Physical Education and a Foreign Language program as the school expands to the 9–12 section, supporting a well-rounded arts and creative program.

Cultural & Language

Latvian Studies begins at age 3 and runs through the elementary years, with three hours per week dedicated to Latvian language, Latvia's history, and cultural heritage. Through engaging lessons, children develop language skills and connect with Latvia's traditions. Home Language Program offers literacy support in Ukrainian, Russian, Latvian, and Latvian as a Foreign Language, fostering multilingualism and a strong sense of identity. Multilingualism is valued as an asset in IMSOL's education.

Social & Hobbies

The Going Out program bridges classroom learning with the broader community through small-group excursions that foster peer collaboration and independence. After School Activities run daily from 15:30 to 16:15 with an additional 16:15 to 17:00 activity session (additional fee), providing supervised enrichment beyond the core day.

Community & Service

IMSOL is enriched by a mix of cultures and backgrounds, with diversity as the cornerstone of the community. Parents share customs and stories to teach global citizenship and support an inclusive environment aligned with the PYP Learner Profile.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

The campus includes a gym, an art room, a music room, a library, and two playgrounds. Physical Education is a key enrichment, supporting fitness and well-being. The core school day runs from 9:00 to 15:30 (16:30 for preschool) with an extended day until 17:00; outdoor play is daily, including nature walks, mountain trips, farms, and seasonal camps. The new main campus opened in August 2024, providing spaces for learning, creativity, and recreation.
Languages

Language Provision

The language of instruction is English. Latvian Studies start at age 3 and include three hours per week of Latvian language, Latvia's history, and culture, in accordance with the curricular requirements set by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science for international schools. A Home Language Program is offered in Ukrainian, Russian, Latvian, and Latvian as a Foreign Language, providing literacy support in home languages and enabling study of units in students' native languages. English Support (EAL) provides individualized language support in literacy, vocabulary, and sentence formation using the WIDA framework, with annual assessments; in the 9-12 section, a Foreign Language is taught per the IB PYP framework.
Reputation

Awards

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Accreditations

Fully accredited by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science as an international school. Dual accreditation in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and Waterpark Montessori Institute. Teachers hold AMI or MACTE credentials and are trained to teach the PYP.
Admissions

Admissions

Continuity of Education: a seamless educational journey from early childhood (2.5 years) to elementary (9 years), with plans to extend to age 12 in the near future. Unique Montessori & IB PYP: the first and only school in the region to blend Montessori and the IB Primary Years Program. High-Quality Home Language Support: afternoon classes to maintain Latvian, Russian, and Ukrainian home languages. Beautiful Learning Environment: spacious, clean, and well-lit classrooms, proximity to parks and museums. Central Location: located in the heart of Riga. Language of instruction: English.
School Events
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