“Our goal is to educate a student healthy in mind and body, developed spiritually, intellectually and physically, to instill in him a comprehensive, coherent and consistent worldview, to prepare him for successful college study in any field and for productive professional work”.

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There is a commonly perceived clash between the principles of sound Christian education and requirements of the modern-day labor market, even with the ability of the students to be successful in diverse pursuits offered to them in today’s world, so hectic and unpredictable. Much more so in Russia, a land which has suffered more calamities than any other nation in the course of the last  century.

We will see just one case of how this problem is resolved in a private school of St. Basil the Great at the outskirts of the Russian capital, so that the above mentioned clash is completely eliminated, with no tradeoff between the religious, academic, physical and emotional education of the students. It is based upon a careful, informal merger of Christian traditions and educational novelty.

It should be known to the reader that under the Communist dictatorship which lasted in Russia over the 70 years, often equated to the Babylonian captivity, school education grades K to 11 (unlike the US, secondary school in Russia has eleven grades), has become a stronghold of both strict discipline and academic achievements. 

Some of us still remember a shock when in the late 1950-es - early 1960-es Russia made a great leap forward in the field of space travel, widely attributed to the advantages of Russian secondary education. The smiling face of Yuri Gagarin on TV, posters and magazine covers stood as if an eloquent witness to the superb quality of Russian schools…

Overlooked, however, by side observers and even by many local residents, was that the same Russian school system became a mighty stronghold of something completely different and sinister: that is, of institutionalized godlessness. Teachers and school staff were personally responsible for the enforcement of the atheist policy; children, by and large, took it for granted, while the parents would comply under the pain of losing parental rights (or freedom, or life - depending on rulers’ attitude).

…Over thirty years have passed by since Russia has “returned from Babylon”, becoming a totally different nation; still, traces of godless education are visible here and there. It might sound ridiculous for some, but most Russains, children and adults likewise, call a Christmas tree (which they, of course, love to decorate), “a New Years tree”...

Needless to say, ever since the 1990’s, changes have befallen the Russian School system. The real trouble is, however, that for about two decades it were its positive and necessary features - solid discipline and academic perfection - which were rapidly dismantled under the pressure of liberal educational “theories” imported from the West. Only during the last few years God is making His slow, if steady return back to the public school classroom.

It needs no explanation why private schools are taking a well deserved role of trailblazers for the entire educational system. One such school, located in a Moscow suburb, is worth particular attention.

The school bears the name of St. Basil the Great, a prominent Saint of the 4th century. Yet it is not a religious school - though, of course, it has strong ties with the Church. And the name of St. Basil signifies the great influence his wisdom, reason and clarity of mind have exerted on the Chistians of the ensuing ages (please don’t mistake him for the Saint known from the nickname of the beautiful church on the Red Square!)

The basic principle of St. Basil School is the reliance on the classic educational foundations inherited from the past. The backbone of the Humanities curriculum is the same as it has been for centuries in the Christian civilization, including classic literature, Latin and Greek languages, thorough study of World History. Students often take prizes in Latin school competitions.

With this regard, any suggested novelties undergo a thorough scrutiny, on whether there is any benefit in having them implemented in the course of learning. Thus, the approach to primary and secondary education here is radically different from utilitarianism and behaviorism, so much in vogue in the West.

“Our goal - as it is expressed on the official School website - is to educate a student healthy in mind and body, developed spiritually, intellectually and physically, to instill in him a comprehensive, coherent and consistent worldview, to prepare him for successful college study in any field and for productive professional work”.

The school has grades from kindergarten to graduation. In the last two grades students are separated into four target groups: Economics, History and Law, Literature and Languages, Natural Science -  to let them concentrate their efforts on the most significant fields of study.

Besides, there is an Art studio, Music classes and Physical education program.

Basics of the Chistian faith is taught in all grades; daily morning prayer is included in the everyday schedule. And of course, there is a church dedicated to St. Basil the Great on the premises, where the Divine Liturgy is celebrated regularly.

Though the school is a private institution, it is a government-approved educational facility which can participate in all programs and activities on par with Public schools.

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