Children must apply to attend the school, which offers classes in both English and Russian. Parents want their children to learn English so they can conduct global business and get good jobs, Pilewski said. We spent a great deal of time breaking down stereotypes from both sides. Russian students wanted to know whether Americans lived in houses or apartments and if they owned pets. Pilewski said he found classes at the Moscow school smaller than American classes and the lunch period lasted only 20 minutes.
Students eat a typical meal of sausage, bread and fruit while standing up.
After school, they are served another meal that their parents can share. They often stay for additional classes. Computers and technology at the school were noticeably absent, but Pilewski said the students seemed competent in a variety of subjects. The thing that impressed me more than anything was the way the students knew Russian history. Students were interpreters during field trips.