ORT de Gunzburg Secondary School #550 "Shorashim," St Petersburg

Founded in 1993 through cooperation between the St. Petersburg City Committee of Education and the Israeli Ministry of Education, ORT de Gunzburg Secondary School #550 “Shorashim” serves students from Grades 1 to 11. Recognized since 1999 as a school for in-depth IT and language studies, the School today blends advanced technology instruction with a strong Jewish ethno-cultural curriculum.

The School includes two departments—one for general education and one with enhanced Hebrew and Jewish studies—with roughly 40% and 60% of students in each stream, respectively. Supported by ORT Russia, the School places significant emphasis on innovation, digital learning, and personalized cultural education. Its mission is to create an inclusive, interdisciplinary, and culturally enriching environment that supports both academic achievement and Jewish identity.

Name of School ORT de Gunzburg Secondary School #550 "Shorashim"
Location St Petersburg, Russia
Age range Elementary, Junior High, High School
Students 463
Professionals 55

Curriculum & Academic Life

The School operates under the Russian Federation’s national curriculum, with additional focus on foreign languages and information technology. Technology and informatics courses begin in Grade 5 and extend through Grade 11. Lessons integrate engineering design principles and system analysis. Middle school students design functional prototypes such as smart homes, using microcontrollers (Micro:bit), sensors, and 3D modeling software.

High school students engage in Python programming, computer graphics, microelectronics, and development of real and virtual systems using Arduino, ESP32, and microPython. Students conclude their learning with Capstone projects that include digital textbooks and multimedia content. More than half of Grade 11 students sit for the national informatics exam.

The School is also a federal hub for the “Code of the Future” project and hosts Python Start courses. In the 2023–2024 academic year, students reached the finals of national Olympiads in Artificial Intelligence and the VK CUP.

Enrichment & Student Life

A highlight of school life is the annual summer science camp, where students in Grades 1–5 explore interdisciplinary topics through hands-on STEAM projects. Camp themes integrate science, history, and creativity. Projects culminate in physical creations students take home, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment.

Extracurricular life also includes hackathons, creative clubs, and extended day programming. Teachers of secondary school subjects such as physics and computer science collaborate with younger students, fostering continuity and mentorship across age groups.

Innovation & Resource Sharing

ORT de Gunzburg Secondary School #550 "Shorashim" emphasizes active project-based learning and student-centered inquiry. Its educational model encourages curiosity, design thinking, and iterative problem-solving across subjects. The School has been an early adopter of STEM tools like 3D printers, Micro:bit platforms, and cloud-based collaboration. The School actively contributes to education reform by modeling integration between curriculum content and applied technology.

Educating for Life

Students graduate with practical experience in coding, design, presentation, and digital collaboration. Beyond academics, they are equipped with critical thinking skills and technological fluency for modern careers. The School fosters values-based learning through team projects and community engagement.

Graduates leave with the competence to excel in IT, engineering, creative industries, and civic life.

Jewish Experience

Jewish education at ORT de Gunzburg Secondary School #550 "Shorashim" includes Hebrew, Jewish history, and traditions from Grades 1 through 11. Instruction is based on TalAm/ITaLAM and Bishvil Ha-Ivrit programs, adapted for multiple proficiency levels. Learning is supported by rich multimedia tools and interactive materials.

Students regularly participate in Jewish community events and holiday celebrations. School-wide Seders, Purim plays, and Hanukkah masterclasses help bring Jewish culture to life. The School also commemorates national and international Jewish observances.

The “ORT Shorashim Junior” club serves students aged 7–11 and includes programs such as:

  • Woodworking Studio: Using hand and mechanical tools to build holiday-themed objects
  • Animation Studio: Creating stop-motion films on Jewish stories
  • Lively Hebrew: Interactive language learning
  • Comics Studio: Storytelling through illustrated narratives

Examples of student work:

Global Citizenship

Students actively participate in events hosted by the Jewish community of St Petersburg and regularly compete in Hebrew Olympiads and cultural programs supported by the Israeli Ministry of Education. These experiences foster pride, awareness, and a sense of global belonging.

The School is committed to strengthening the Jewish identity of its students and preparing them to thrive both within their local community and as members of the broader Jewish diaspora.