K-12 Education System in Russia

Russia possesses a centralised education system where the compulsory education guidelines for all public schools are established and carried out by the "Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Social Development.

Education begins at the age of six with pre-school. Kids go to kindergartens or other pre-schools which concentrate on both intellectual and physical activities. The next stage is primary Education. Primary Education is a part of the general education program.

General Education in Russia consists of three levels:

•  Primary education lasts for four years
•  Basic general education lasts for five years
•  Secondary education lasts for two to three years  

General education is compulsory and includes diverse fields of study such as the Russian language, foreign languages, math, social sciences, natural sciences, politics, etc. Russian general education is aimed at the rational, emotional, moral and physical growth of the individual. General education takes 11years to complete.

Kids enter the schools at the age of six and finish school by the age of 17. After completing primary and basic general education, the students take their final examinations. After the successfully clearing of final exams, they are rewarded with a Certificate of Basic General Education (Attestat ob Osnovom Obshchem Obrazovani), which makes them eligible for higher studies to either secondary general education, or to vocational system or to non-university level higher education.

Pre-School & Primary Education

Pre-School education includes kindergartens. Kindergartens are regulated by regional and local authorities. The Primary Education lasts four years and focuses on building general and basic skills in the students.

Secondary Education

Eleven-year secondary education in Russian is compulsory. The eleven-year school term is split into:

• Elementary- grades 1-4
• Middle- grades 5-9
• Senior- grades 10-11 classes
  

Children are accepted into first grade at the age of 6 or 7.

Vocational Training

Upon completion of a nine-year program the student has a choice of either completing the remaining two years at normal school or of a transfer to a specialized professional training school. Vocational training provides students with a working skill qualification and a high school certificate.

Academic Year

September 1 is the official beginning of the academic year in Russia. This day is also a state official celebration of Knowledge Day. The academic year lasts until May 25 which is also known as The Last School Bell Day.

The structure of educational year is separated into an autumn and spring semester with a study period of 16 weeks in the autumn term and 15-16 weeks in spring term. Each semester ends with one assessment week during which students take course tests and present assignment work.

Structure of K-12 Education in Russia

Pre-Higher Education

    Entry Age: 6
    Exit Age: 15

Primary Education
Primary Education includes Primary General School

    Duration: 4 years
    Age level: 6 to 10

Secondary Education
Secondary Education includes Basic General Secondary School

    Duration: 5 years
    Age level: 10 to: 15

Secondary (Complete) General School & Upper-Secondary School

    Duration: 2 years
    Age level: 15 to 17
    Certificate awarded:  Certificate of Secondary Complete General Education and a School Leaving Certificate.

Vocational Training

 Vocational Training was imparted at Non-university level higher education

    Duration: 4 years
    Age level: 15 to 19
    Certificate awarded: Diploma