The Edinburgh Academy

• Location: Edinburgh, Scotland,
• Year of foundation: 1824,
• Number of students: approximately 1100,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

The Edinburgh Academy (EA) — one of the most academically strong schools in Scotland, offering secondary education programs for children from 2 to 18 years old.

Founded in 1824, EA has developed and strengthened its structure over several centuries to provide local and foreign students with quality academic education today, a variety of extracurricular activities, and comprehensive support from qualified teachers. For many years, the academy adhered to a single-sex educational format; since the 1970s, it began admitting girls to the Sixth Form program, and in 2008 switched to fully coeducational type. Having created excellent conditions for study, sports, recreation and personal development, EA currently educates about 1100 students in its primary, secondary and senior departments.

The Edinburgh Academy consistently ranks highly in national school rankings, taking leading positions in terms of exam results and the admission of graduates to top universities around the world. Excellent student performance is due not only to a rich curriculum and modern teaching approaches but also to numerous extracurricular clubs, sports sections, creative groups, and cultural events. By interacting with each other and society, students develop important social and personal skills that make them versatile and talented individuals.

Specialized departments provide students with comprehensive support, including additional classes in subjects, career guidance and an English language course.

At The Edinburgh Academy, teaching is organized in three stages of school education:

• Nursery — kindergarten for children aged 2 to 7 years,
• Junior — primary school grades 1-6,
• Senior — high school, covering education in grades 7-12.

The Edinburgh Academy does not have residential facilities on campus and does not offer accommodation.

During school days, balanced meals made with fresh ingredients are available to all students in the dining hall: hot and cold dishes, snacks and drinks.

International students of all ages have access to a wide range of thematic clubs, each supporting a specific creative, sports, scientific or social direction:

• Ecology,
• Charity, volunteering,
• Choir,
• Yoga,
• Football,
• Rugby,
• Jazz band,
• Debates,
• Cross-country running,
• Chess,
• Gardening,
• Wind orchestra,
• Embroidery, handicrafts,
• Cricket,
• Judo.

Clubs regularly organize events to broaden the horizons of participants and attract new students. Many events are held outside the campus and with the participation of EA partner organizations.

According to tradition, many British schools organize a House system, uniting students into groups with distinctive signs: coats of arms, mottos, patches on school uniforms. At The Edinburgh Academy the House system is vertical, meaning children who joined the community in primary school continue in it until graduation. Every year competitions are held on campus, and closer to the summer holidays — an award ceremony for the winning House. Victory is awarded for excellence in competitions such as:

• "Run Around the Yards" — a sports relay race around campus,
• Carnival Costume Evening,
• National Cuisine Day,
• Charity Evening.

Despite the fact that the school does not have a residence, the study week is not limited to weekdays: on weekends and some holidays students participate in a diverse leisure program, which includes sports competitions, excursions to iconic attractions of the region.

• Excellent exam results: in 2024-2025, 66% of students received A grades, which is twice the national average.
• 90% of graduates continue their education at leading universities in Great Britain, the USA, Canada and other countries.
• Several forms of funding for education, including the Cambridge Scholarship for high school students.
• A wide range of extracurricular activities for leisure and talent development.
• Active charitable work: in recent years, the school has donated over £25,000 to local charities.

The Edinburgh Academy is located in one of the central districts of Edinburgh and occupies a rather large area with several academic buildings and open areas for outdoor recreation. Each building is prepared for teaching children of a certain age — primary, middle, and high school departments. Having been adapted to the age needs and abilities of students, the buildings offer several dozen lecture classrooms and specialized subject laboratories, studios for visual and performing arts, computer rooms, a library, and many other premises. Game halls and gyms, open areas, and partners external facilities are used for sports training and events.

Academic calendars for primary, secondary and high schools operate on a three-semester basis, differing by only a few days:

• Autumn: August-December,
• Spring: January-April,
• Summer: April-June.

Classes are held from Monday to Friday, and a childcare club is organized before and after them. Recreation is provided on weekends and holidays, during the trimester breaks.

The cost of annual tuition covers most extracurricular activities, accident insurance and a full range of academic disciplines. List of additional fees includes:

• Registration and administrative fees;
• Books, personal educational materials;
• Some extracurricular activities, excursions;
• Individual music lessons;
• Meals and accommodation;
• National exams;
• School and sports uniform;
• After-school care club;
• Medical insurance;
• Transfer to the School;
• Personal expenses.

Applicants need to fill out the registration form and submit documents, pay the admission fee. After this stage, the admissions committee invites candidates for an interview and testing in core subjects. Based on the results of tests and previous academic achievements, selected applicants receive an invitation to enroll.

Admission is selective, taking into account a wide range of abilities and educational needs. Places in the nursery are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; in other age groups — based on academic ability, siblings already enrolled, and other connections with The Edinburgh Academy.

According to statistics from previous years, more than half of graduates continue their academic path at universities in Scotland: St Andrew’s University, University of Aberdeen and others. Thanks to the Cambridge University scholarship, students can enroll at University of Cambridge at a reduced cost.

To study in the UK, foreign applicants need a local guardian and personal documents: passport, student visa or residence permit, health insurance. Applicants must provide academic transcripts for the last two academic years, exam results and individual achievements if available.

Teaching at EA is conducted in English, so a general rule applies: the older the student, the more confident their English should be. There is no need to take an external exam before admission — language proficiency testing is included in the enrollment process.

The Edinburgh Academy implements two formats of financial support for its pupils:

• Material support for families based on needs assessment: they cover up to 100% of tuition fees, expenses for books, uniforms and other costs,
• Academic medals for high academic achievement.

Students can also take advantage of external funding: university scholarships, foundation awards, government loans and grants.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision