K-8 School or at least our experience

One of the benefits of Fulbright program is that up to two children get paid tuition to a private school.  This is probably more important for children going into a country where they don't know the language.  In our case it is a definite benefit so that Lika can get a superior education in a good atmosphere.  Lika as 13 kids in her class.  11 boys and 1 other girl.  Katya is a very nice girl and will be a great friend for Lika this year.

Lika's typical day runs from 8:30 to 3:15, five days a week.  Then there are private lessons and homework help until 6 PM.  Typical Russian schools run 6 days a week from 8 to 2 PM.  We are letting her stay until 6 pm most days because we can't really help her with her homework.  As you can see from the list below, Lika has extra classes 4 days a week. Two days she has extra help with Math, one day she has a private music lesson (flute) and one day she has art.  Only the art class costs extra.  Everything else is included in tuition along with breakfast after her second lesson, lunch and snacks after regular school is over.  We only need to feed her dinner at home.  

We are so proud of Lika for testing into 7th grade Russian (she shocked the teachers) and all of her other classes.  We found out that Lika has already read numerous11th grade Russian books required for graduation.

Notice that American smile among the masses.  She really does have great classmates (7th grade)

Lika and her Art teacher

Lika's first oil painting "still life" grapes and an apple

Ah, yes. the uniform

Guess who dresses Lika.  Danielle in her Uniform
at Perm State University 

Snacks interrupted

When Katya is gone (sick or something) Lika and her teacher Olga Alexaevna typically have some girl tea time instead of playing outside with the boys.

They have pretty good technology.  Lika has one of the best cell phones because "it is amazing that you could have English on it."  It's my old Blackberry that we had to get unlocked from AT&T ($8 fee to buy a code - legit I think).  Now I can put in a SIM card from anywhere in the world and have a local cell number.