Tallinn · Founded in 2021
St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco School in Tallinn
Sound education and care for the child’s soul
A state-recognised private school in Tallinn. We teach grades 1–6 in Russian and combine a strong academic programme with Christian upbringing.
2021
Founded
1–6
Grades
Open-ended
Licence
Russian
Language of study
Our school
A school that grew out of a parish’s wish
The initiative to create the school came from the senior priest and parishioners of the Church of the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Icon of the Mother of God in Tallinn.
St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco cared for the spiritual needs of emigrants until the middle of the 20th century — first in China, then in the Philippines, in Europe and finally in America. While he was Archbishop of San Francisco, a cathedral was built under his guidance and consecrated to the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” icon of the Mother of God; a lyceum was founded alongside it in 1994.
The aim is a school with state accreditation that meets every requirement of the Estonian education standard, teaching in addition the fundamentals of the Orthodox faith. The language of instruction is Russian. The school is not a commercial enterprise, and we make every effort to keep tuition as low as possible.
We plan to begin with first-graders and, over twelve years, to build a school offering a complete secondary education. Our goal is teaching that does not merely meet the national standards but exceeds them.
The school as a building
If a school were a building, then quality education is its foundation, a healthy psychological climate is the first floor, and above it stands Christian care for the soul of the child and its enlightenment.
Our principles
What our school stands on
Education here rests on a Christian worldview with its balance of intellectual and practical activity. Alongside a high standard of teaching, a modern school must build human relationships that keep the atmosphere favourable to creativity — the natural right of every pupil, family and teacher.
01
Develops a whole worldview grounded in traditional cultural values
02
Is oriented toward deep spirituality
03
Is based on moral and family values
04
Forms a positive, creative perception of the world
05
Sets a life-affirming direction for the child’s development
Our curriculum
Elements of the classical school, modern content
A curriculum with elements of the classical school, resting on the best time-tested traditions of pedagogy while remaining modern and innovative. The spiritual and moral upbringing of children is joined to a contemporary education in the sciences and humanities.
Full development is possible only where traditional values and innovative technology are combined as complementary sides of social development. Besides the core subjects, the school teaches the Law of God, English and Estonian.
The principle of conformity to nature
Conformity to nature means taking the child’s age and psychology fully into account: the curriculum is built so that the child understands everything taught at school. With this approach, endless parental help with homework becomes unnecessary.
- Building on the child’s own life experience
- Allowing for how a child perceives at each age — concrete and pictorial thinking, the ability to generalise and abstract
- Clear task wording, matched to the nature of a child’s perception
- Systematic presentation — each new topic builds on what came before and consolidates it
- Gradual increase in difficulty — every methodical step toward new material guarantees full understanding
- A guarantee that the child can do the homework independently
Children taught by these methods are not only able to learn but glad to. The right motivation forms by itself: “learning at school is easy and joyful.”
Where we are now
The school’s path
23 July 2021
Permission granted
By ministerial decree no. 1.1-2/21/190 the school’s holder, SHANGHAI PÜHA JOHANNESE MTÜ (80577216), was granted permission to establish the school in Tallinn.
1 September 2021
The first pupils
The school opened its doors to its first pupils.
28 May 2024
Open-ended licence and stage II
By ministerial order no. 1.1-2/24/139 the school received an open-ended licence for stage I (grades 1–3) and a licence for stage II (grades 4–6).
Today
Still growing
We continue to raise funds to sustain and develop the school. They cover the fixed costs of running it: the website, drafting and translating documents, legal advice. We are grateful for any financial support.
For parents
Most looked-up
- Admission Booking an interview, admission terms and the application form. Read more
- Tuition The payment schedule for the year, discounts and what is not included. Read more
- Calendar and holidays Terms and holidays, the daily routine and the timetable. Read more
- Documents Statutes, development plan, school rules and the curriculum. Read more
News
School life
Open day
We invite parents, colleagues and friends to an open day at Tondi 55, 2nd floor. The programme includes a welcome from the school, a performance by pupils, a lecture for parents by…
Festival of spiritual poetry recitation
The school hall hosts the festival of spiritual poetry recitation “And with my lyre I awakened kindly feelings”. Pupils of general and Sunday schools and members of creative groups are invited to…
Charity Pokrov fair
A charity Pokrov fair is held at the Mere Culture Centre. The stalls are filled with the gifts of autumn, home-made treats and handicraft by parishioners young and old. The proceeds support…
Come and meet us
Anyone is welcome to book an interview. Call on weekdays between 9 and 15, or write to us — we are glad to answer any question.