About the school

Did you know that a unique secondary school “Premjers” has been working and developing in Riga for several years now at the Information Systems Management Academy (ISMA)? Its unusual character is reflected in the fact that the pupils here are not only completing school assignments and preparing for their final exams, but are also planning to enter university, having already met the teachers through preparatory courses, and are preparing to become students with whom they have already organised and celebrated leisure moments. You don’t have to apply to ISMA, it can be any other university, but everyday work experience shows that graduates of Premjers secondary school most often choose their university, which they are already familiar with, both in their studies and in their leisure time, and which has already become close to them. Why this choice?

To put parents’ minds at rest, ISMA Secondary School “Premjers” has 4 general primary and secondary education programmes. It is an accredited institution and its graduates receive graduation documents approved by the Ministry of Education and Science, certificates of 9. Graduation certificates for 12. certificates of completion of the class, as well as certificates of proficiency in centralised exams.

At first glance, our secondary school seems no different from other secondary schools. However, the statistics on the results show that graduates of Premjers Secondary School have no problems getting into any higher education institution (not only in Latvia). Now, about the uniqueness of the school. From 1 September 2009, the courses are taught in two streams – Russian and Latvian. The teaching process is designed in such a way that teachers treat students as independent personalities and future students from Grade 1.

To achieve this, each class has a maximum of 8-14 pupils, which means that individual attention is given to each pupil. The school also has a psychologist who not only works individually with pupils, but also helps 1., 5. and 10. for pupils to adapt to the classroom, the school team and the school environment. Every student is in front of their teachers, and any problems that arise with classmates (children are still children) or teachers are dealt with immediately in a positive and tactful manner for all concerned.

If a pupil wants to go to school, he or she is never refused (for example, for poor grades in a subject). Practice shows that all issues can be solved, so teachers are always ready to help. Pupils have the opportunity to attend optional classes and tutorials in all subjects, which also helps them to achieve a high level of knowledge. But most importantly, it’s about the student’s willingness to learn what they don’t understand and what they don’t know.

Another important factor is the school atmosphere, which is mutually respectful, attentive, kind and supportive. Students’ lives are democratically governed by the School Parliament and ministries, which help them deal with educational, cultural and other issues of interest to them. The school creates all the conditions for students to find their way in life and chart their future. This is why Premjers Secondary School offers the opportunity to study subjects that you will later go on to study at ISMA, such as information systems, economics, management, tourism, real estate and design. In the upper grades, students can already assess the extent to which their future career choice is the right one in practice.

In addition to teaching, the secondary school has a vocal studio and extra-curricular clubs for primary school students, where they can exercise in their free time and discover their talents and abilities. The ISMA Career Centre and the computer project work, which allows you to explore a student’s interests, also contribute to this. Senior students attend ISMA Preparatory Faculty classes free of charge. What’s more, high school students can take courses organised by ISMA to obtain professional certificates issued by the university: basics of environmental design, assistant tour manager, hotel business events and conferences organiser, bartender-officer, WEB-site and system administrator. These opportunities help students to choose their next career, broadening their job prospects.

And finally, and most importantly, the teachers of the Premjers Secondary School, 70% of whom have Masters and PhDs. Some subjects are taught by ISMA teachers, whose level of professional training is so high that they are able to work equally well with pupils and students, as the material is already taught in lessons in a way that prepares the student for studying the material at university. Secondary schools pay great attention to learning foreign languages. In addition to English and German, you can learn Spanish, Italian and French. These languages are taught by native-speaking teachers who work here on international exchange programmes. This allows graduates to enter and study at universities abroad, as there is no language problem.

With the possibility to finish 11th and 12th grade at the upper secondary level (though this requires a high grade point average), there are many opportunities for young people. All the components – curricula, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, the composition of the teaching staff and the individual approach – add up to a high level of learning at Premjers Secondary School. However, the main message that Premiers strives to convey throughout the entire teaching and learning process to each student is “You are unique in one area!” and it succeeds.

But why do graduates of Premiers often choose ISMA as their next institution of higher education? The answer is simple. Often the parents of Premjers students are ISMA students or graduates themselves. The teaching process and the lives of pupils and students are built on the same principles – high professionalism, creativity and a respectful, trusting attitude towards each other.