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Jelgava Spidola State Gymnasium

Latvia, Jelgava

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Latvian, English
Fees €600
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 546
Type Co-educational
Opened 1990
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Latvian, English, Russian, German, French
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Jelgavas Spīdolas State Gymnasium in Jelgava, Latvia, is an IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 7–10 and the Diploma Programme (DP) for grades 11–12, integrated with Latvia's national curriculum. The first foreign language is English, and one MYP subject group is taught in English or bilingually. The school rests on three pillars: languages, social sciences and economics, and natural sciences. It presents three directions with seven sub-directions: language and social direction, commerce direction, and environmental and natural sciences direction. In grade 7, students engage in creative and research work, career-oriented exploration, and cultural and arts activities. In upper secondary, the curriculum includes Defense Studies, opportunities for artistic self-expression, and participation in the Student Parliament to prepare graduates for higher education and careers. Since moving in 2019 to Sarmas ielā 2, the school emphasizes active learning across academics, arts, and civic life and society.

Sarmas ielā 2, Jelgava, LV-3001

The Essentials

Jelgava Spidola State Gymnasium has 546 pupils, instruction in Latvian, English.

Location
The school is located at Sarmas ielā 2, Jelgava, LV-3001. It sits in Jelgava, Latvia. The school offers three educational directions and engages all students from the 7th grade in creative and research activities.

Stages
7-12 (students start from 7th grade).

Type
State gymnasium (public).

Country affiliation
Latvia
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
Jelgavas Spīdolas State Gymnasium is a State Gymnasium in Jelgava, Latvia. It is part of Latvia's national network of state gymnasia and operates within the state education system. The school was granted State Gymnasium status effective September 1, 2018, as part of the government's framework for state gymnasias.
Fees

Annual tuition at Jelgava Spidola State Gymnasium ranges from EUR 600 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- There is no separate application or entrance fee for registering for the school's admission tests; registration is completed through the school's published application/registration process.

Tuition fees by year group (amounts and frequency)

- Standard state-funded 7.–12. klase general education programmes: no tuition charge for students in state-funded places.

- International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes (co‑payment required):
- IB MYP (7.–10. klase): EUR 50 per month.
- IB DP (11.–12. klase): EUR 50 per month.

- IB examination / assessment fees (examples published for 2025):
- 10. klases starpdisciplinārais eksāmens (dalības maksa): EUR 57 (2025 figure).
- DP Final Assessments (example 2025 rates): EUR 89 per subject for six subjects; Extended Essay (EE) EUR 68; Theory of Knowledge (TOK) EUR 35; Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) EUR 7. These IBO assessment fees are charged per the International Baccalaureate Organization fee schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The IB co‑payment is specified on a monthly basis ("1 mēnesis 50 EUR"). Billing therefore occurs monthly at the stated monthly rate for pupils enrolled in IB MYP or DP.

- Parents who are legally declared residents of the municipality and meet local social‑support criteria (for example, households with an official low‑income/"maznodrošinātas" status) may be exempt from the parental co‑payment where exemptions are defined.

- Failure to pay scheduled co‑payments may trigger municipal debt‑collection measures and, after statutory notifications and timeframes, can result in further administrative actions as set out in municipal payment rules.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- No boarding or residential (internat) provision is listed for this institution; the gymnasium operates as a day school for grades 7–12. There are no published boarding fees for the school.

Other costs and common additional charges

- Required personal equipment for IB students: a personal portable laptop is listed as required for daily work in the IB programme. This is an expected parental expense for IB pupils.

- IB international exam/assessment fees and other IBO charges are additional to the municipal co‑payment and are billed according to the IBO fee schedule; individual subject and assessment fees apply as noted above.

- Extracurricular or interest‑education activities that carry fees (for example, certain paid extracurricular sessions or venue hires) are covered under municipal paid‑services rules and are priced separately where applicable; any such charges are distinct from core tuition/co‑payment obligations.

- No mandatory school uniform fee is published in the school materials available for the school's programmes.

Refund information

- Paid parental co‑payments are generally non‑refundable if studies are discontinued, except where a payment was made in advance for a future calendar month(s) and a refund/adjustment is necessary because of overpayment or specific municipal refund rules. Municipal rules specify that advance payments may be adjusted or refunded in case of overpayment.

Fee payment options

- Payments for municipal education co‑payments and paid services are processed through municipal invoicing and the standard public‑sector payment procedures; payments are made according to the invoice details (typically by bank transfer to the account specified on the invoice or other payment method set out by the municipality's billing instructions).

- IB/IBO assessment fees are charged per the IBO billing process and are payable as invoiced for the relevant assessments; these are separate from municipal co‑payments.

Summary (key figures)

- IB MYP (7.–10. klase): EUR 50 per month.
- IB DP (11.–12. klase): EUR 50 per month.
- Example IBO exam charges (2025 figures): 10th‑grade interdisciplinary exam EUR 57; DP subject exams EUR 89 each; EE EUR 68; TOK EUR 35; CAS EUR 7.
- No published application fee; no boarding fees; personal laptop required for IB; municipal refund and non‑payment procedures apply as described above.
Academics

Jelgava Spidola State Gymnasium teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
Jelgavas Spīdolas State Gymnasium is an IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 7–10 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) for grades 11–12. The MYP is integrated into the national basic education curriculum, and one subject from each MYP subject group is taught in English or bilingually. The first foreign language is English. The school emphasizes three pillars: languages, social sciences and economics, and natural sciences, and organizes three directions with seven sub-directions: language and social direction, commerce direction, and environmental and natural sciences direction. Students from grade 7 participate in creative and research work, career-oriented exploration and development, and cultural and arts activities. In upper secondary, the school offers National Defence Education, opportunities for artistic self-expression, participation in the Student Parliament, and involvement in school life to prepare graduates for further education and successful careers.

Higher Education Progression
Higher education opportunities in Latvia are presented through the career education program, including information about universities and vocational and professional education after grade 9. The program also covers study opportunities abroad and guidance on studying and career choices, with resources for students and parents. The program provides career guidance and assistance with preparing CVs and motivation letters to support decisions about study and work.
Wellbeing

Mental Wellbeing
The school has a psychologist on staff (Anete Olava).
Parent Experience

History
The Jelgavas Spīdolas State Gymnasium was founded in 1990 as an experimental school offering new educational programs. It has developed over time, attracting increasing numbers of students and attaining the status of a State Gymnasium. In 2019 the school moved to new premises on Sarmas ielā 2 to educate more knowledge-hungry minds, and the school is not a building but an idea. The school offers three distinct programs: environmental studies, commerce, and social studies. While each class's program is defined, the school provides broad opportunities to study all subjects and participate in a range of activities to prepare for future careers.

Community
The school fosters a free, creative, and democratic atmosphere with engaged teachers, staff, and students who pursue additional learning and creative projects. Students can form a student-run learning enterprise, organize events, participate in competitions and Olympiads, join the school parliament, and take part in various clubs and activities. The year begins with a ceremonial event at Gederts Eliass Jelgavas vēstures un mākslas muzejs and a march to the school, a tradition reflecting the school's history. Spīdolas Day is celebrated at the Culture House, where active classes, students, and teachers are recognized, and the school honors those who contribute to Spīdola. The school also maintains traditions such as class bonding days and ongoing engagement in school life, including celebrations tied to milestone anniversaries.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Spīdolas ģimnāzijas izaugsmes fonds is a public-benefit foundation through which Jelgavas Spīdolas State Gymnasium parents can participate. The fund aims to improve students' learning conditions and opportunities and regularly provides financial and material support to realize teaching, pedagogical, and research programs and projects, as well as social and moral support. The Fund is always open to new ideas and collaborative projects and actively participates in school life, engaging parents in the school's activities. Recent major financial support projects include renovating a recreation corner in the 1st-floor foyer, creating a sport-friendly area near the gym, and adding seating in the 2nd-floor foyer.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
The school today is firmly founded on three core elements: languages, social and economic sciences, and natural sciences. These pillars support both the primary education programs and the upper secondary education programs, which include three directions and seven sub-directions: language and social direction, commerce direction, and environment and natural sciences direction. The teaching process emphasizes in-depth language skills, social sciences, media literacy, basics of entrepreneurship, and understanding and solving environmental problems. All students from the 7th grade are involved in creative and research activities, career-oriented exploration and development, and cultural and artistic activities. In upper secondary school, we offer Defense Studies, and everyone has the opportunity to engage in artistic self-expression, participate in the Student Parliament, and contribute to organizing school life. We work to ensure graduates are prepared for further education and for successful career development.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school provides opportunities for artistic self-expression, participation in the Student Parliament, and involvement in organizing school life. All students from 7th grade participate in creative and research activities, career-focused exploration and development, and cultural and arts activities. The school emphasizes student involvement in leadership, projects, and cultural activities as part of a broad enrichment experience.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Extracurricular education includes Media School, EU Ambassadors School, Robotics, Drone piloting, Architecture and Environmental Design, Textile Design, and other design- and technology-oriented activities. From 7th grade, students engage in creative and research work, career-oriented exploration and development, and cultural and arts activities.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative activities include Theater 'Spīdolēni', Spīdola Choir, Instrumental Ensemble, Textile Design Studio, and Visual Arts Studio, along with related music groups.

Cultural & Language
French and Spanish language clubs are offered as part of extracurricular programming, and the EU Ambassadors School component supports civics- and culture-related activities.

Social & Hobbies
Students participate in School News/Spīdola Media and the Student Parliament, and join clubs that organize school life and events (including Debates and Erudītu Klub).

Leadership & Professional
Leadership development comes through participation in the EP Ambassadors School and the Student Parliament, as well as various clubs that build professional skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports at Spīdola include floorball, football, basketball, and volleyball, supporting physical activity and wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
Latvian language and literature; English language; and Russian, German, or French are offered as additional languages. The International Baccalaureate program is delivered with bilingual instruction in English and Latvian, with English as the working language.

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches the International Baccalaureate programs with bilingual instruction in English and Latvian; the working language is English.
Admissions

Admissions
Admission for the 2026/2027 academic year includes an extended deadline to apply for the entrance examination. The entrance examination for 7th grade and for vacant places in 8th and 9th grades will be held in person on June 2 at 10:00. Registration for the entrance examination is via an online form. Entrance examination results are available here. The school outlines eight topics that describe the learning process and admission framework: Principles and priorities of the learning process; Achievements; Educational materials and technical provision; School traditions; Educational programs and directions; International Baccalaureate; Extracurricular education and activities; Admission requirements and procedure. The Rules for admission to Jelgavas Spīdolas State Gymnasium (PDF); the Entrance examination program for primary school (PDF); and Tips for writing a motivational letter when entering Jelgavas Spīdolas State Gymnasium (PDF) provide detailed guidance. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
School Events
The school has not added events
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