Attending high school in Latvia gives students the opportunity to receive a European education in one of the safest, calmest and most affordable countries in the Baltic region. Latvian high schools stand out for their disciplined academic structure, strong programs especially in science and languages and an approach to education in line with European Union standards.
Latvia is still chosen by a limited number of students from Turkey for high school education, and options for international students are largely limited to the capital, Riga. Students from Turkey usually attend high school in Latvia through exchange programs lasting one semester or one year, or through international schools in Riga. For families looking for a different European experience and considering affordable options, Latvia is an interesting alternative.
Attending high school in Latvia offers students important academic and personal advantages.
Latvia is a Northern European country on the Baltic Sea and a member of the European Union and NATO. Its capital is Riga. The official language is Latvian, and English is widely spoken, especially among young people. The currency is the euro.
Latvia is known for Riga's historic center, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, its Art Nouveau architecture, forests and Baltic beaches. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are mild with long daylight hours. There are direct flights from Riga to many European cities.
In Latvia, students move on to secondary education, usually at the age of 16, after nine years of basic education. General secondary education lasts three years and consists of grades 10, 11 and 12.
General secondary education ends with centralized exams, and the results are used for university admission in Latvia. At Latvian high schools, grades are given from 1 to 10. Public schools teach in Latvian.
The types of high schools international students can choose from in Latvia are:
There are different programs for high school education in Latvia depending on the student's goals and the length of stay:
Application requirements for high schools in Latvia vary depending on the type of program and the school. For exchange programs, students are usually expected to be within a certain age range, have a good academic record and be open to adapting to a different culture. Exchange programs usually do not require prior knowledge of Latvian.
The application usually requires report cards from recent years, a transcript, teacher references, student and family introduction letters and health information. International schools may hold an English proficiency assessment, an entrance exam and an interview. For full-time education, previous school documents may need to be recognized in Latvia.
The school year in Latvia starts on September 1 and ends in late May or June. For final-year students, the school year continues into June because of the centralized exams. There are autumn, winter and spring breaks during the school year.
Applications for exchange programs are usually made 6 to 12 months before the program starts. International schools usually accept applications throughout the year. Since host family placement and residence permit processes take time, applying early is very important.
High school options for international students in Latvia are largely concentrated in the capital, Riga. In exchange programs, students are placed in the city or town where their host family lives.
Public high schools in Latvia are tuition-free. However, this right applies to families residing in Latvia. In addition, since public high schools teach in Latvian, students who want full-time education there need a good command of Latvian.
The most common way for students from Turkey to attend Latvian high schools is through exchange programs. In these programs, no tuition is paid to the school; however, a program fee is paid to the organizing institution for host family placement, organization, insurance and support services. International schools and private high schools charge fees.
The cost of high school education in Latvia varies depending on the type of program. Fees for exchange programs vary depending on the length of the program, host family placement and the services included.
Fees at international schools in Riga are generally lower than at similar schools in Western Europe. When planning your budget, you should account for accommodation, airfare, health insurance, residence permit costs, pocket money, winter clothing and school trips in addition to the school or program fee.
At NGGlobal, we share the current prices of our partner institutions with you and work with you to choose the program that best fits your budget and goals.
The main accommodation options for high school students in Latvia are:
Boarding school options in Latvia are very limited. In all options, students' safety and wellbeing come first. Exchange students receive support from local coordinators throughout the program.
Turkish citizens need a visa to attend high school in Latvia. Programs longer than 90 days require a long-stay national visa or a residence permit for study purposes. For students taking part in exchange programs, the application is usually made with documents issued by the program organization.
The application requires documents such as the letter of acceptance from the school or exchange organization, proof of accommodation, proof of financial means, health insurance and, for minor students, a notarized parental consent form. Applications are made through Latvia's mission in Turkey or the authorized application center.
Since visa and residence permit processing can take time, it is important to plan your application early. At NGGlobal, we support our students and their families at every step of this process.
Students who take part in a high school exchange program in Latvia or complete part of their high school education there must obtain recognition (denklik) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education to continue their education where they left off when they return to Turkey. Students who earn a Latvian high school or IB diploma must also obtain recognition of their diploma to apply to universities in Turkey.
For the recognition process to run smoothly, the courses taken and grades earned in Latvia must be documented, and the documents must be certified and translated. It is advisable to speak with your school and the Provincial Directorate of National Education before the program starts to learn the recognition requirements.
At NGGlobal, we offer free consultation to students who want to attend high school in Latvia and to their families. By assessing the student's age, academic background, goals and the family's budget, we identify the most suitable program. Where needed, we also share alternative options in other European countries with you.
Contact us to build your plan for high school in Latvia together.
Public high schools in Latvia teach in Latvian. International schools in Riga teach in English.
Exchange programs usually do not require prior knowledge of Latvian. The fact that English is widely spoken among young people in Latvia also makes settling in easier.
Public high schools in Latvia are tuition-free, but this right applies to families residing in Latvia. Students from Turkey usually study through exchange programs, for which a program fee is paid, or at fee-paying international schools.
Most international schools in Latvia are located in and around the capital, Riga. These schools offer international programs such as the IB and the British curriculum.
Yes. If you prepare all the required documents, you can obtain recognition from the Turkish Ministry of National Education and continue your education in Turkey where you left off.
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