Why Are More Families Choosing IST?
Why Are More Families Choosing IST?
Because a great education is about more than grades — it’s about preparing children for a world that’s changing fast.
When choosing a school, families often look beyond academic results. They want a place where children can develop confidence, curiosity, resilience, and the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
At Tallinn International School (IST), learning extends far beyond the classroom. Founded in 2017 and consistently ranked among Estonia’s top-performing schools, IST combines a strong academic foundation with an education that encourages students to become creative problem-solvers, effective communicators, and responsible global citizens.
Learning for the Future
The world our children will enter is changing rapidly. Success increasingly depends on skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, creativity, and digital literacy.
At IST, these future-ready skills are embedded throughout the learning experience. Students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate real-world challenges, work collaboratively, and take ownership of their learning. This helps them become confident learners who are prepared for both higher education and future careers.
Technology and Digital Skills
Technology plays an important role in modern education, and IST is committed to helping students become confident and responsible users of technology.
IST is the only school in Estonia with a partnership agreement with Finnish Code School, giving students unique access to coding, computational thinking, and digital problem-solving skills that few other schools in the country can offer.
Students also participate in technology-focused projects and innovation challenges, including hackathons organised in cooperation with partners such as Ülemiste City. In November 2025, students took part in the two-day EdTech Hackathon, using design thinking to develop solutions for real community challenges — from wellbeing and sustainability to social innovation — culminating in final pitches judged on clarity, relevance, and real-world impact.
Technology education at IST is not simply about using digital tools. It is about developing the skills needed to innovate, create, and solve meaningful problems.
Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Entrepreneurship is about much more than starting a business. At IST, students learn to spot opportunities, develop ideas, solve problems, lead projects, collaborate effectively, and turn ideas into action — skills developed through student companies supported by Junior Achievement, as well as through projects and partnerships with businesses located in Ülemiste City.
Working with real organisations helps students understand how learning connects to real life and future careers.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Some of the most valuable learning experiences happen outside traditional lessons. Through international projects, educational visits and study trips, innovation programmes, and partnerships with universities and organisations, IST students broaden their perspectives, build confidence, and experience learning in authentic, real-world contexts.
An Inspiring Learning Environment
Students perform best when they learn in environments designed to support exploration, creativity, and wellbeing. IST provides access to:
- modern science laboratories;
- technology classrooms;
- sports facilities;
- outdoor learning spaces;
- creative learning environments.
These facilities support both academic learning and personal development, helping students grow into balanced and confident young people.
Outstanding Teachers
At the heart of every excellent school are excellent teachers. IST’s international teaching team brings together educators with diverse experiences and expertise. The school also benefits from highly qualified staff, including teachers with doctoral degrees who participate in international research and university partnerships.
Through cooperation with universities and Erasmus+ projects, teachers continuously develop their expertise and bring innovative ideas into the classroom.
A Strong Connection to Innovation
As part of the Ülemiste City community, students are surrounded by one of Estonia’s most dynamic innovation and business environments. This creates unique opportunities for collaboration with companies, entrepreneurs, technology specialists, and community partners — helping students see how ideas become products, services, and businesses, and making learning more relevant and connected to the real world.
More Than Academic Success
Families choose IST not only because of academic achievement, but because of the opportunities students receive to discover their interests, develop future skills, and grow as individuals. This same commitment to quality extends to how IST measures and reports on student progress — reflected in our international accreditation and assessment results.
Technology education, entrepreneurship, international experiences, innovative teaching, and strong community partnerships combine to create an environment that prepares young people for success in an increasingly interconnected world.
Curious what a typical day at IST looks like? Explore admissions and book a school visit, or read our full overview of Why IST?