In Sverdlovsk Oblast, a student was not admitted to the 10th grade despite good grades.

      A ninth-grader from Pervouralsk, Valeriy, was unable to continue his studies in the 10th grade at his lyceum: he lacked the points required for admission. The teenager retook exams twice, but unsuccessfully. Only one school with a humanities focus remains in the city, but it is too far from home.

      Valeriy finished ninth grade at Lyceum No. 21. His school-leaving certificate is marked "good," with an average grade of 4.2. He was not an honor student, but he also had no failing marks in his school diary. In addition to his studies, the teenager is active in sports: he holds a second-category rank in polyathlon (a three-event competition that includes a cross-country ski race).

      To enter upper secondary school, students undergo an individual selection process. Considered are the results of the OGE in profile subjects, participation in olympiads and projects, and annual grades.

      Valeriy's mother, Evgenia, told E1.RU:

      — In June our son submitted his documents, but he was eight points short of the passing score. They then offered him to retake social studies on August 25. He retook the exam and brought certificates from olympiads. But the next day we were told he urgently needed to retake Russian as well. Valera was at training; we agreed he would come on August 27.

      However, after the retake the family received unpleasant news: the boy was not accepted and was told to look for another school. The new school year began without him.

      The Russian exam was stressful for the student. He did not have time to prepare in two days; the tasks were given in the OGE format, but there was only an hour. As a result, Valeriy scored even fewer points than the first time.

      The family is convinced the situation is connected to a long-standing conflict with the lyceum. Several years ago a similar story happened with Valera's younger brother, who was initially not admitted to fifth grade and was only reinstated after their parents complained.

      Now the parents believe their eldest son was deliberately denied admission. They have appealed to the Pervouralsk administration and the prosecutor's office, and filed a lawsuit against the lyceum seeking compensation for moral damage.

      — Why are they closing the door to 10th grade for our child? He studies normally, behaves well, and does sports. The school is obliged either to open a general education class or to readmit him. We get the impression this is revenge, Evgenia says.

      The city administration explained that enrollment in upper grades is carried out by individual selection in accordance with federal law and regional regulations. The right to preferential enrollment for siblings applies only when entering primary school and does not extend to 10th grades.

      On September 1 the parents turned to the education department, where they were offered three school options with vacancies. However, one is too far away, and the other two offer only technical tracks. To enroll there, Valeriy would have to take exams again.

      You can read our in-depth piece on this topic here.