Specialized Schools: Some schools specialize in certain areas such as mathematics, physics, foreign languages and humanities. These elite schools require a special exam and interview and are being renamed as gymnasiums, colleges or lyceums. There are also specialized music and art schools which selected children attend after their regular school day. After middle school, the ninth year of schooling, some children go to a special technical "college" for technical training as an electrician, or to a special highly competitive music or art "college". These four year colleges (called uchilishche) are really like the last two years of high school, plus a two year junior college.

The School Year: There are four quarters in the school year: the first from September 1st to November 1st followed by one week of vacation; the second from November 10th to the end of December followed by a two-week New Year vacation; the third term from mid January to mid March is followed by a one week vacation. The spring term starts in late March and ends May 31 followed by a three month summer vacation. The school scene in Moscow is changing quickly as the number of non-state schools grows.