From March 1 to March 15, parents in Tallinn can submit applications for assigning a local school for children entering the first grade at municipal schools on September 1, 2024.

This year, over 4,800 children are reaching school age, slightly more than in previous years. Parents living in Tallinn, as per the population register, can submit applications for assigning a local school from March 1 to March 15. The application can be conveniently submitted via eKool. Parents whose children have been admitted to a citywide admission school need not apply.

Deputy Mayor Andrei Kante noted that parents' applications are crucial for school assignments as they provide the Tallinn Education Department with essential information about siblings attending the school and family school preferences. "If a parent does not submit an application or does not send a notification of relinquishing the school place, the child will be assigned the nearest school based on the address in the population register," explained Kante. "As the next school year introduces a significant change - the transition to Estonian-language instruction - submitting an application is particularly important, giving parents the option to choose either the nearest Estonian-language school or a local school transitioning to Estonian instruction," Kante emphasized.

Also, Tõnismäe reaalkool, previously citywide admission, is now a local school, except for one citywide admission class. Additionally, the first grade will not be opened in Tallinna Lilleküla Gümnaasium school’s Räägu building starting the next school year.

In assigning schools, priority is given based on the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act and the regulations effective in Tallinn, mainly considering the proximity of the residence to the school and siblings attending the same school, and possibly parents' preferences. If there are more applicants than available places in a school, the registration time of residence data may be considered. Attendance in pre-school is not a basis for school assignment.

Parents who have submitted an application via eKool will receive a notification about the assigned school to their email address by May 20 at the latest. By June 10 at the latest, parents must inform the school whether their child will attend. Unconfirmed school places will become available, and from June 11, schools can fill them according to their admission conditions and regulations.

Applications can be submitted in eKool from March 1 to March 15 around the clock. If necessary, the Tallinn Education Department (Estonia pst 5a) also accepts applications on Monday from 9:00 to 17:45, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 to 16:45, and on Friday from 9:00 to 15:45.

More information: Enrollment into first grade on September 1, 2024

For further information: Tallinn Education Department, phone 6404590, email [email protected]