I love the Estonian school system. At least, in contrast with American public schools that too often reminded me some social laboratory where new ideas were played out on the expense of kids' learning, practicing and excelling new skills.

The latest craze No Child Left Behind was the last drop for me. In practice, it surely equalled to Let's See That No One Gets Ahead. Truly American schools are geared towards mass production of mediocrity. It was slightly amusing how they avoided memorizing at any cost, e.g timetable could not be learnt by heart but acquired some tricks of trade. I felt entertained how Americans tried to discover the wheel and felt amused... until my own kids entered to the school factory.  In America, the better option would have been to send my kids to private school. But I felt it was time to pack my stuff and return to Estonia instead. 

My kids now go to a small grammar school  with grades from 1 to 9. School age starts from age 7. There's no need for kindergarten since the job thereof is done by partially state sponsored childcare facilities.  This school, actually my own old school, has a student body of 66. It feels as private school or nice big family. Having little stress familiar to the larger and more impersonal schools, the teachers here did not mind at all welcoming some American kids with very little conversational skills in Estonian. They seem to like the challenge to make Americans speak Estonian and feel like Estonians!

It has been a very smooth experience for my kids and me. I accompanied my son only for 2 days and my daughter was able to brave her classes alone, i.e. with help of her classmates. They go to almost all classes. Subjects as math, music, PE, arts, computers have been very easy for them as it's about the practical skill not vocabulary. In literature, history, social and natural sciences their focus is to acquire vocabulary first before being graded as their fellow students. They have the first half of year for catching up.

Along with other classes, they have 4 individual classes of Estonian and the results have been amazing. I remember how hard it was for me to teach the most simplest concepts of Estonian to them, how much whining my poor ears had suffer. Oy! Now my son who was the toughest is so smitten by his Estonian teacher. Just yesterday he suggested getting chocolate and flowers for Õpetaja Ingrid!

In America kids hardly had any homework - somehow there was always plenty of time for it during the classes. No such a thing in Estonia! Kids are expected to practice their skills individually at home. Once again my previously always unhappy son is happily completing all his worksheets. My teenager however would rather go out and socialize with friends than bother herself with studies. As in America, I hear from her: I don't have anything to do!

Well, in this regard I have gained so much more control here. Namely the government has set up a portal E-School where I could check my kids grades and homework in no time. Instead of being retroactive I can be proactive!

So what else is different here? Kids are graded from early on. I see that my son especially benefits from his grades - one 5 keeps him going on and practicing harder to keep more 5s coming.

Practice is the key. In America, whatever kid did teachers gave praise - you're doing as good as you're able! The idea that any new skill or ability has to be worked on, sometimes for a while, was unpopular. My kids were often frustrated when something didn't come out just with one try. Here the teacher is a coach who is expected to point out mistakes, show the way how to overcome them and be behind their shoulder as the best resource. Empty praises are not necessary!

Another different trait relates to the Estonian society that has been in transition from a command economy to free markets. After 17 years, we still have considerable portion of those depending on state benefits. No wonder school here has bigger shoes to fill in, by offering free supplies, lunch, swimming classes etc. I was pretty amazed when I heard that my daughter will be taking horse backriding classes during school hours.

And last but not least, kids start studying foreign languages from the second grade on. My kids have hugely benefitted from studying German and later on they may have even Russian classes.

Funny thing is that Estonians themselves are not very satisfied with the school  system, by demanding more from it. Now in the light of fast-spreading drug problem, school violence and also school shootings in neighboring Finland, they want to shift from knowledge-based school to value-based school. This would mean that school has responsibility and right to pry kids' head and heart alike. Well that I don't like that and will vehemently fight against! 

By the way, I my son learned timetable up to 5s on our way to Tallinn (2 hours ride).  As a true disciple of American school system he used logic approach by doing that - and it worked well! So I guess I have to apologize being overly rough with Americans.

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