The school was established in 1964 as a basic school for children whose first language is Russian. Secondary education began to be provided in 1979. Since 1997, the school has been affiliated with the name of Tartu Annelinna Gümnaasium (TAG). TAG was one of the first schools for children whose first language is Russian, where in the 1990s Estonian-Russian bilingual education was introduced in the curriculum. In the 2000s it grew into immersion programs. In the years 2021 - 2024, the transition to the Estonian language of instruction was completed in all basic school classes, with the exception of those with a migrant background and educational groups of students with special educational needs (SEN), where education continues partially in Russian.
Because of the language immersion methodology, over the years TAG has acquired a good reputation in the non-Estonian communities of Tartu and South Estonia. TAG is home to children with different first languages who are guaranteed high-quality education in Estonian, which makes it possible for a basic school graduate to be competitive in the Estonian educational landscape.
The vision of Tartu Annelinna Gümnaasium:
TAG - Secure Development Environment Guarantee (Turvalise Arengukeskkonna Garantii)
The mission of Tartu Annelinna Gümnaasium:
Creation of a developing and secure learning environment for students with Russian, Estonian and other native languages.
Values
TAG is guided by the national curricula of basic values that are both universal (honesty, caring, respect for life, justice, human dignity, respect for oneself and others) and social (freedom, democracy, respect for native language and culture, patriotism, cultural diversity, tolerance, environmental sustainability, rule of law, solidarity, accountability and gender equality).
Apart from the aforementioned values, in the development plan of TAG the following values are highlighted:
- openness, courage to be different and tolerate differences;
- a caring and supportive learning community,
- reliable people and school.
TAG combines basic school and secondary school.
Russian is taught and studied as a first language and Estonian as a second language in basic school and Estonian is also taught as a first language to those who wish.
In basic school, all subjects are taught in Estonian.
The language of instruction for special educational needs students and new immigrants is determined individually with the special curriculum.
In order to ensure the sustainability of the school, preschool classes are offered.
An extended day group operates to support students' ability to cope with their studies in Estonian for year 1 students.
To support students' physical activity, the school's daily schedule includes a rest hour for year 1 students.
School traditions include cultural events and activities integrated with the curriculum that are based on Estonian values and support the preservation of culture of different nations.
Students' socialisation is based on knowing their own culture and Estonian culture traditions, as well as the adoption of common European values, world culture and key achievements of science. People with a strong basic education can integrate into society and contribute to the sustainability of Estonian society and its social, cultural, economic and ecological development.
