20 best Russian boarding schools in Russia

Boarding schools are private educational institutions where children not only study, but also have the possibility of permanent residence. There is everything for the education of a harmoniously developed and healthy personality: academic classes, sports, extracurricular activities and entertainment, circles and sections, medical care and much more. If earlier boarding schools were associated only with Western or European education, then in modern times they have become a popular phenomenon in Russia.

Boarding schools offer children a full range of educational services. Here, children receive an academic program, accommodation, meals, extracurricular activities, medical care and entertainment. Boarding schools have long been popular not only abroad, but also in Russia: they offer vast territories with educational buildings, sports complexes, swimming pools and places for creative activities. All children are under the supervision of educators and teachers, and the educational process is clearly controlled.

A high-quality educational program with an extensive yet flexible curriculum, allowing for the inclusion of additional foreign languages and the practice of modern teaching methodologies.

Small class sizes, providing the opportunity for individualized attention to each child.

Elimination of the need to transport your child to various clubs and sections, saving a significant amount of time. Boarding schools offer a wide range of activities, including even exclusive ones, such as rare foreign languages. In each boarding school, children can engage in creative activities, music, sciences, sports, take individual lessons with tutors, and much more.

Round-the-clock supervision of students in a secure and protected school campus. Regular communication between teachers and parents regarding academics and behavior.

Most teachers reside on campus, providing students with easy access to assistance when facing difficulties in any subject.

Discipline and effective monitoring by teachers teach children to follow the rules and maintain order in the boarding school.

The daily schedule is organized to allow students to attend academic classes, engage in physical activities, and spend time outdoors, fostering the development of well-rounded individuals.

Living separately from parents teaches children independence and prepares them for adult life.

Boarding schools involve a child's residence at the school's dormitory, but there are various types of boarding facilities to choose from:

Full-time boarding, where the child stays at the campus 7 days a week, including holidays, or can choose to go home during breaks.

Weekly boarding, where the child is at the school only on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and returns home for the weekends.

Partial boarding, where the student occasionally stays in the dormitory due to personal circumstances.

Boarding schools in Russia can be general education or have various specialized focuses. Some schools emphasize a particular subject alongside academic education, such as sports, languages, physical sciences, arts, and more. Admission to such schools is often competitive, involving rigorous exams and interviews.

All boarding schools can be divided into two main types:

State boarding schools for gifted children, which select students nationwide based on entrance exams, showcasing excellence in relevant subjects, and a high motivation to learn. These schools aim to preserve and enhance students' individuality while allowing interaction with peers of similar development levels. Strict discipline, hourly schedules, extensive homework, competitions, and psychological challenges are common in these schools. Some schools may allow students to choose their stay duration.

Private country boarding schools, typically located in large forested areas, offer excellent conditions for outdoor activities. They emphasize foreign language learning, provide a choice of several educational profiles, offer individual consultations for preparing for the Unified State Exam (EGE), and maintain small class sizes (usually no more than 10 students). These schools also place a strong emphasis on a healthy lifestyle. Most schools offer a diverse sports program with facilities such as pools and courts, and students have ample time for sports activities after classes, including equestrian sports, figure skating, tennis, swimming, and skiing.

Convenient schedules, diverse activities and events, and the opportunity to make new friends leave little room for boredom. Thanks to phone and Skype, students can communicate with their parents daily.

Some of the notable boarding schools in Russia include:

• Boarding School for Gifted Children & Intellectual
• British Lyceum Moscow
• Lomonosov Private Boarding School in Chulkovo
• Private School-Kindergarten Znayka
• Academic Gymnasium in Sokolniki

To enroll in a private boarding school, parents need to sign an agreement with the school and pay the tuition fees. Some private institutions conduct subject-specific testing, particularly for senior students. These schools effectively take on the responsibility of preparing students for their desired higher education institutions, hence they have stringent admission criteria, including significant exams and interviews.

For admission to gifted children's boarding schools, students must pass entrance tests, with the most crucial factor being outstanding abilities in a specific area (such as sports, arts, music, etc.). For instance, sportsw boarding schools often admit students from regular schools who are involved in sports clubs. It's essential not only to have good physical abilities but also to demonstrate experience in the chosen sport. The highest level is represented by schools for Olympic reserve, which prepare professional athletes. Admission to such schools is highly competitive and typically requires students to reach the level of national youth teams or higher. For admission to the choreographic arts department of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, a creative competition must be successfully completed. State higher education institutions for continuing education in the arts (CCEs) under the Moscow State Academy of Choreography accept students starting from the age of ten, with the opportunity to receive secondary vocational and higher specialized education in the future.