We visited Lyceum #7, a grade 1 - 11 school that focuses on Science and Technology. They too have many students that succeed at Federal and Regional tests, students that attend Academic Olympiads, and other great things. Unlike many of the other schools that we visited, the principals and teacher here were upfront about some of the challenges that they have. For example, they have so many students at their school, the students have to go in shifts. 5th through 11th grade attend school from 8:15 until 3:00, 2nd through 4th attend from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
1. The Administration is so very dedicated. All school administrators in Russia also teach in the classrooms. This school has a teacher shortage. The Principal and the two assistant principals teach for 35 hours a week and then manage the administrative aspect of their job. In the other schools we visited, the administration taught maybe 1 class a day.
2. Just like our school, they are dealing with implementing new Federal standards for Education and determining what that will look like in the classroom.
3. This school has an INCREDIBLE History Museum in it that documents the history of the area, with a focus on the "Great Patriotic War" as they call World War II, and then the school's history afterwards. Pictures below.
Answers to questions left in comments:
Anacristina, I have not spoken any Spanish at all! Except by accident. Sometimes instead of answering "Da" for "yes" I'll say "Si."
Jovanny, I am not speaking a lot of Russian, however there are some words I'm saying all the time! "Spasibo, bolshoi!" It means "Thank you very much!" I'm also saying "Harasho!" which means "Very good," or "I'm fine!"
8th grade asked: What time do the students start school? How many subjects do they have in one day?
Different schools start at different times of day, so I will focus on Anzhelika the Amazing's school, Gymnasium #13. They start around 8:30 in the morning and go until about 2:00. They have 6 lessons a day. Each lesson is about 40 minutes and they have a 20 minute break between lessons. At one point during this break, students go eat lunch.
7th grade asked: About how much is a kilo in America? Tais thinks the students at GW should stand to greet visitors. What instruments are used for music class?
One kilo (kilogram) is equal to about 1 pound 3 ounces. Tais, I agree with you. The students stood to greet visitors and some even stood again when we left the room! As for music class, I don't know the answer. I will find that out and let you know tomorrow! Good question.