Boarding

The boarding tradition has existed in international schools since medieval times. The first boarding schools appeared in the 6th-8th century in Western Europe, mainly in England, and were affiliated with monasteries and abbeys, staffed by clergymen. To this day British boarding schools are a world class symbol of established tradition and excellence in education. The boarding system of Letovo is inspired by this tradition of excellence, which creates a safe space for pastoral care and community development. With the help of our consultants from top British boarding schools (Winchester College, Sevenoaks School), we carefully gathered best practices and applied it to the specific needs of Russian students and teachers.

The Russian tradition of boarding has also a lot to offer. Historically known Russian boarding schools are the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, the Moscow Noble Boarding School and the Smolny Institute of Noble Maidens. These institutions hold a spirit of enlightenment and civil responsibility that significantly impacted the upbringing of Pushkin, Lermontov, Karamzin and other Russian intellectuals. Many noble scientists, artists, politicians and public intellectuals have taught there, such as historian Pogodin, mathematician Perevoshchikov, professor of literature Merzlyakov and the poet Zhukovsky.

Studying at a boarding school is traditionally valued as an opportunity to gain autonomy, to form a strong character, make friends for a lifetime, to exchange and share scientific and artistic interests and to build up one’s identity. This spirit of camaraderie is reflected in Pushkin's famous lines:

"Wherever we are cast by destiny,
And rivers of our fate wherever flow,
We are the same: when world is alien;
Remember fatherland – the Tsarskoe Selo.”

Today the tradition of boarding schools in Russia is reviving. Twenty first century skills and values require brand new quality standards and another level of international collaboration. The main goal of the boarding system of Letovo is to create a friendly and engrossing environment for students, teachers and other members of the school community.

The boarding at Letovo consists of 10 houses for students, all within easy walking distance of the main school building, gardens and other facilities. Each house is a self-contained community to which the kids return from classes or games to study, eat and sleep. Each of the houses has 56 children in residence, either boys or girls.

The ten Housemasters and the Head of Boarding are responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of the children. Each House also has the dedicated support of matrons, tutors and other support staff.

There are also 3 houses for teachers, 115 apartments and 4 hotel rooms for visiting experts. Teachers of Letovo may choose to live at the school with their families to be better involved in school life. Teachers and their spouses take an active part in the school culture and leisure; they organize groups, events, clubs of interest, and help children with academic and personal affairs.