International School of Tallinn

Valukoja 9, Tallinn 11415, Estonia. Ülemiste City is the largest smart-city district in the Baltic states and houses the Tallinn International Airport and a major shopping mall. The campus is easily reachable by public transport, with nearby bus stops and a short walk to Ülemiste Train Station (Ülemiste Jaam). The tram connection to the campus was closed due to Rail Baltica works, with alternative arrangements in place as of 2025.

Ages 3–19; Preschool through Grade 12. The school follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework with Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Preschool–Grade 5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, and Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12.

Private international IB World School (Tallinn International School OÜ).

Over 50 nationalities are represented among students and staff, including British, South African, Italian, Maltese, Ukrainian, American, and more.

IST is inclusive and non-selective and provides support for a broad range of needs. The school offers Medical Support, Counselling, and Learning Support, coordinated by a Student Support Coordinator who works with external agencies as needed. Admissions consider students' SEN, with the possibility of general, enhanced, or special support based on resources.

Estonia

The 2025/2026 academic year runs 1 September 2025 to 12 June 2026 (two semesters with breaks). Arrival begins at 08:45 (Homeroom for Grades 6–12); Hour 1 runs 09:00–09:45, Hour 2 09:55–10:40, Hour 3 10:45–11:30; Lunch/Recess 11:30–12:45; Hour 4 11:30–12:15; Hour 5 12:45–13:30; Hour 6 13:40–14:25 (PreSchool–Grade 3 finish then). Aftercare begins at 14:25, Hour 7 14:30–15:15, Hour 8 15:15–16:45 (DP Flex time). Aftercare is available on school days from 14:25 to 18:00 (3.5 hours).

IST is easily accessible by Tallinn public transport. The Valukoja stop is about 100 meters from the campus. Bus lines 15 (Estonia–Sõjamäe), 2 (Balti Jaam–Mõigu), 7 (Seli–Sõjamäe) with a stop at Ülemiste City, 13 (Priisle–Väike-Õismäe), 45 (Väike-Õismäe–Ülemiste City), and 49 (Viimsi–Ülemiste City) serve the area. Elron trains stop at Ülemiste Jaam, a short walk from campus.

IST uses IB-based curricula across PYP, MYP, and DP. The PYP runs six Units of Inquiry for ages 3–12 and uses an inquiry-driven, transdisciplinary approach; English is the language of instruction with ESL support. Estonian is taught to Grades 1–5; foreign languages include French, German, Russian and Spanish. The MYP provides an academically challenging framework that connects learning across subjects. The DP, launched in 2022, uses six subject groups and a DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, CAS); a passing diploma requires at least 24 points from six subjects (42 points) plus up to 3 core points for a maximum of 45.

Average class size: 18 students; average student-to-teacher ratio: 1:8.

The Diploma Programme is internationally recognized by universities and employers; final DP grades are awarded on a 1–7 scale per subject, with a total maximum of 45 points. A diploma requires at least 24 points from six subjects, plus a point for each core component (TOK, EE, CAS) to reach the maximum of 45. IST teaches English as the primary language for the DP, with additional language options available.

IST provides career and university guidance from early adolescence through graduation. The program uses Unifrog to research universities, compare courses, and prepare applications, and uses the IBO Recognition Database to check IB diploma recognition. Recent early offers include London Film Academy (UK), BIMM University Berlin (Germany), UCL (UK), Maastricht University (The Netherlands), and Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia).

PSPE (Personal, Social and Physical Education) ensures the physical and emotional well-being of students. The school counsellor is available to speak to students about social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. The IST mission states teachers equip students to succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and morally. The IB framework and IST policies emphasise personal, social, and emotional development as a core part of learning. Social-emotional learning is embedded across the curriculum with pastoral support to foster wellbeing.

IST is inclusive and non-selective, and supports students with a broad range of needs. The school maintains a Learning Support Programme and an Individual Education Plan (IEP) process for identified students, coordinated by a Student Support Coordinator or equivalent. The admission process requires documentation and consideration of whether IST can meet a student's SEN needs before enrollment. Students with SEN are identified through a staged model of assessment and provision, with differentiated teaching and ongoing review of IEP targets. The school provides a range of supports including counselling and school psychology as part of its SEN services, and maintains a SEN coordination framework across PYP, MYP and DP.

The official language of instruction is English. English language learning is integrated across the curriculum, with focused ESL tuition in Language and Literature and additional ESL support during school hours or after school. Estonian as an Additional Language and Mother Tongue support are offered, and language learning is aligned with IB standards. The school emphasizes achieving proficiency in at least two languages and supports language development across subject areas. Language policy also promotes maintaining mother tongue development and accommodating language needs within inclusive classrooms.

The school places emphasis on mental wellbeing as part of holistic development. The school counsellor is available for students facing social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. PSPE supports emotional well-being, and IST's mission highlights support for students academically, socially, emotionally, and morally. The school maintains additional wellbeing resources, including a School Nurse, and communicates wellbeing through staff and student guidance structures. University/career guidance also contributes to students' broader wellbeing and readiness for life beyond IST.

IST has a Child Protection-Safeguarding Policy rooted in International and Estonian law and the UNCRC. Safeguarding leads and a dedicated safeguarding team report to the Director or Deputy, with divisions including the IB Coordinators and Counsellors. Staff receive safeguarding training on risk assessment, safety planning, and student protection, and safeguarding lessons are taught to PK-12 students. The safeguarding policy outlines a formal reporting process, requiring incidents to be reported to the child protection officer (CPO) or trusted adults as soon as reasonably practicable, with investigation and appropriate action by the school. The CPO is the Learning Support Coordinator, who coordinates the safeguarding response and liaises with external agencies as needed.

The International School of Tallinn offers comprehensive education for students aged 3 to 19. Primary enrolment categories include children of foreigners living and working in Estonia; children who have studied abroad in an international school; children seeking English-speaking international school education. Selection criteria: Preschool and PYP (Grades 1-5): the child must have reached the minimum required age by August 31st of the academic year; submission of the application along with the required documents; successful assessment during the Family Interview and Trial Day; availability of places. MYP (Grades 6-10): submission of the application along with the required documents; submission of the study reports for the previous two years; successful results in the admission tests (English and Math), and sufficient assessment of learning outcomes from the previous educational institution; availability of places. DP (Grades 11-12): submission of the application along with the required documents; submission of the study reports for the previous two years; successful results in the admission tests (English, Math, Science), and sufficient assessment of learning outcomes and interview results; availability of places. The school also accepts students who have started the Diploma Programme at other IB schools, provided that IST currently offers the subjects they studied. To begin the enrolment process, fill out the online enrolment form. Enrolment steps: Step 1 — Online form: Fill the online enrolment form. Step 2 — Admission Assessment: Interview, Trial Day and Admission test. Step 3 — Final Results: Signing the schooling contract after successful admission assessment results.

Discounts include: Family Discount (The family discount applies to families and households with at least two members studying at IST. A family is formed by persons who are related as spouses or as a parent and child. A household consists of people residing at the same address who are connected by sharing the same household and raising a child together. The family discount is applied to all children studying at IST who are included in the same family or household. The amount of the family discount will be calculated based on the entire annual fee, including the study place fee and the monthly fee. Discount percentage: 2 students 10%; 3 students 15%; 4 and more students 20%. The discount is valid until all / both related children are studying at the International School of Tallinn. Loyalty Discount: The International School of Tallinn has the right, not the obligation, to offer up to a 5% loyalty discount on tuition fees to families whose children are already studying at IST. The loyalty discount is considered each year according to the school's budgetary possibilities. If a new family joins in the first half of the current school year (until 31.12), a 3% discount for loyalty will be offered for the next school year. Joining during the second half of the current school year will not yet provide eligibility for the loyalty discount of the next school year. Ülemiste City Discount: Ülemiste City District employees can apply for a 10% discount on the tuition fees of their children at IST. To apply for the discount, the parent must be prepared to present the confirmation of employment in Ülemiste City District proven by the employer. From the second school year at the IST, the Ülemiste City District discount remains 10% which includes the school's loyalty discount up to 5%. Mainor University (EUAS) Discount: Mainor University (EUAS) students can apply for a 10% discount on the tuition fees of their children at IST. To apply for the discount, the parent must be prepared to present the confirmation letter from Mainor University. From the second school year at the IST, the Ülemiste City District discount of 10% will also include the loyalty discount rate. Needs-based Discount: If the amount of the tuition fee forms an exceptionally unproportioned share in the calculation of the family's income, and the family may likely face difficulties in covering their other expenses after payment of the tuition fee, the school may reduce the amount of the tuition fee by up to 25 percent (25%) of the amount of the annual tuition fee (in total, together with all other types of discount) or extend the due date based on a separately agreed payment schedule. A family that intends to apply for a tuition fee discount due to economic reasons must be prepared to submit to the management board of IST. IST Employees Discount: Employees may apply for an employee discount. The International School of Tallinn management board will decide the amount of the discount.