gümnaasiumid

Gümnaasiumid are Estonian upper secondary schools that provide general education after the end of põhikool (grades 1–9). They typically span three school years (10th to 12th grade) and enroll students aged roughly 16 to 19. The aim is to prepare pupils for higher education or the labor market. Gümnaasiumid offer a general track and a range of specialized tracks or focus areas, such as science, languages, social sciences, or arts; many schools also offer bilingual instruction or language-rich programs.

Curriculum is governed by the national core curriculum. Students study mandatory subjects including Estonian language and literature, mathematics, a foreign language (usually English and another language), and subjects from sciences and social studies, with additional electives chosen by the student and school. In the final year, students undertake national examinations which determine eligibility for the gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus, i.e., the upper secondary diploma, and influence university admission. The exact requirements vary by school.

Admission and governance: most gümnaasiumid are municipal schools, with some state-run or private institutions. Admissions are typically based on application and school capacity; some schools use entrance tests or interviews.

Outcomes: holding a gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus enables admission to universities in Estonia and across the European Union, and provides access to vocational programs or employment opportunities. The system is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research, with the National Examination Centre organizing the final assessments.