Specialized schools are secondary schools with enhanced coverage of certain subjects that constitute the specialization of the school. They should not be identified with vocational schools, whose goal is to deliver skills for a particular type of job.
Of the specialized school in the Soviet Union (Russian : Школа с уклоном, Shkola s uklonom) there were three typical types: physical/mathematical schools, with enhanced education in physics and mathematics, sports school, and schools with advanced study of a foreign language of choice. This tradition continued in a number of post-Soviet states, notably Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Ukraine, with many schools renamed into lyceums.
There also were schools with musical education, but they were in their own category and called "secondary musical school". In secondary musical schools, the primary goal was musical education since the 1st grade (i.e., they may be classified as vocational schools), with obligatory general secondary education provided in a somewhat truncated form. (Note: In the terminology of the Soviet Union, the "secondary school" included primary education as well, i.e., it encompassed grades 1–10.)
Foreign language schools started study of a particular foreign language since the 1st grade (in regular Soviet schools foreign language was introduced in the 5th grade) and, since some grade (commonly the 5th) some subjects were delivered in this language. Language schools specialized in English, German, French, and Spanish languages, with English schools being most common in late Soviet Union and Spanish least common.
Physmath schools (physical/mathematical schools) delivered enhanced education in physics and mathematics. Most commonly, this enhancement started at higher grades, typically starting at 8th or 9th grades.
A fact of note was a very high percentage of Jewish students in physmath schools. There was no informal quota for Jews in specialized schools, unlike some prestigious universities and research institutions. [1]
There are three categories of sports schools:
In modern Russia the sports schools are officially named as 'учреждение дополнительного образования' (supplementary education institution), e.g., 'supplementary education institution "School of High Sports Mastery"'.
These schools were specialized in particular sports: soccer, diving, gymnastics, etc. The first children sports school was created in 1934. In 1987 there were about 7,500 CYSSs, 1,400 ORSs and about 200 SHSMs, with about 5,000,000 of students.
Gymnasium is a term in various European languages for a secondary school that prepares students for higher education at a university. It is comparable to the US English term preparatory high school or the British term grammar school. Before the 20th century, the gymnasium system was a widespread feature of educational systems throughout many European countries.
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies among countries; usually it is a type of secondary school. Basic science and some introduction to specific professions are generally taught.
The Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences is one of Russia's largest research centers specialized in physics and technology. The institute was established in 1918 in Petrograd and run for several decades by Abram Ioffe. The institute is a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. As of June 2024 the Ioffe Institute employed 1977 individuals including both scientific and non-scientific staff.
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Presidential Physics and Mathematics Lyceum No. 239, is a public high school in Saint Petersburg, Russia that specializes in mathematics and physics. The school opened in 1918 and it became a specialized city school in 1961. The school is noted for its strong academic programs. It is the alma mater of numerous winners of International Mathematical Olympiads and it has produced many notable alumni. The lyceum has been named the best school in Russia in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
The Suvorov Military Schools are a type of boarding school in the former Soviet Union and in modern Russia and Belarus for boys of 10–17. Education in these schools focuses on military related subjects. The schools are named after Alexander Suvorov, a well-known 18th century Russian general.
There existed an evolved system of military education in the Soviet Union that covered a wide range of ages. The Soviet Armed Forces had many tri-service educational opportunities as well as educational institutions for the Soviet Ground Forces, the Air Forces, and the Navy. The Soviet Border Troops, the KGB and the Internal Troops also maintained service academies.
A sports school is a type of educational institution for children that originated in the Soviet Union. Sports schools were the basis of the powerful system of physical culture (fitness) and sports education in the USSR and the Eastern Bloc, particularly East Germany. The main features of this system remain in the system of sports education in Russia and other post-Soviet states, and also became the basis of similar systems in other countries, one of the most powerful ones at the present time being that of the People's Republic of China. Many legendary athletes, such as Nikolai Andrianov, Nellie Kim, Alexander Popov, Viktor Krovopuskov, Vladislav Tretiak, Valeri Kharlamov, Anatoly Alyabyev and Sergey Bubka started their path to Olympic success from Soviet sports schools. They are also found in Asia, in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.
Leningrad Secondary Art School was established in 1934 as the first art school for gifted children.
The 189th Secondary School or officially Comprehensive Secondary School No.189 with deep learning of English and German from the first grade of Desna raion of Kyiv municipality is an ordinary public school which provides compulsory and specialized education.
Saint Petersburg Lyceum 30, is a public high school in Saint Petersburg, Russia that specializes in mathematics and physics. The school opened in 1897 became a specialized city school in 1965.
St Petersburg Classical Gymnasium is a coeducational public school established in 1989 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is one of the schools created in St Petersburg after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Formally gymnasium consists of two institutions: secondary school and high school. Up until 2011 there were two classes enrolled every year, but since then three classes are formed in the 5th grade. The mission of the school is to teach students how to learn, to develop independent analytical thinking and strengthen their interest in acquiring new knowledge. The school lays an emphasis on ancient languages and maths.
Dmitry Konstantinovich Faddeev was a Soviet mathematician.
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Dmitry Konstantinovich Faddeev Academic Gymnasium at Saint Petersburg State University also known as the 45th Physics Mathematics School is a selective secondary boarding school at the Saint Petersburg State University established in 1963 in what was then the Soviet Union, now Russia. In 2015 it was named after Russian mathematician Dmitry Konstantinovich Faddeev, who was one of the founders of the school.
Academic Lyceum Physics and Technology School,, a St. Petersburg National Research Academic University of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is a Russian high school founded in 1987 by Zhores Alferov. The Physics and Technology School is the only high school in Russia belonging to the Russian Academy of Sciences, and regularly places students in international math, physics, and science olympiads.