Schooling from home in Estonia:

What Parents Need to Know in 2025

A clear, simple guide for families exploring their options.

Home education (kodune õpe) is legal and well-established in Estonia.

Parents can apply to their child’s school for permission to educate at home, and the school remains responsible for supervision and yearly exams. Families often choose this path for flexibility, health, or travel reasons.

Is schooling from home legal in Estonia?

Yes. The Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act allows home education for any student, provided the school headteacher approves. The student stays enrolled, and the school oversees progress and assessments to ensure that learning outcomes meet national curriculum standards.

What are the steps?

1
Submit a request to your school. Write to the headteacher explaining your reasons and plan for home education.
2
Stay enrolled. Your child remains officially registered at the school.
3
Follow the national curriculum. Families can adapt pace and methods but must meet learning goals.
4
Complete yearly exams. The school organises assessments to confirm progress.
5
Maintain communication. Share updates, work samples, or attend check-ins as requested.
In Estonia, bina helps families practising kodune õpe by providing live teaching, progress reports, and exam preparation aligned with national learning standards. Parents retain responsibility for communication with their school while we provide daily structure and support.
That’s where
helps

What is bina and how is it different?

bina is a global, accredited online school for children ages 4–12.

We offer live, interactive, small-group learning that brings the energy and connection of a great classroom into your home.

Small, live classes with caring teachers

Classes are capped at 7 students, so teachers know your child’s name, learning style, and interests. You stay as involved as you want to be while we handle the teaching and structure.

A curriculum that fits your child

Your child learns at a pace that works for them, with space to explore their interests and the support they need to thrive. Our accredited programme is internationally recognised, giving you peace of mind that they’re learning what matters.

Friendships and belonging

Children make genuine friends with classmates from around the world. In small groups, they build confidence, practise social skills, and feel part of a real community — all from the safety of home.

You stay in the know

You’ll get weekly updates on what your child is learning and quarterly progress reports. A dedicated family success manager works with you to make sure everything fits your goals as a parent.
For legal purposes, families in Estonia are considered to be providing home education. Parents must notify their local school authority annually and ensure their child participates in yearly exams. bina provides the daily teaching, structure, and progress reports to make that process simple and transparent.

What parents say

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

Find out if bina is right for you

1
Book a free consultation to see how bina can fit your family’s goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
2
Join a bina adventure with your child and walk away with tailored growth insights — no strings attached.
We’re happy to answer your questions and help you figure out what’s possible for your family.
Whether you’re ready to make a change or just gathering information, we’re here to help.

The questions we hear most from parents like you.

Will my child keep up with Estonia’s curriculum?

Yes. bina’s accredited programme aligns with Estonia’s national curriculum goals for primary education. We provide reports and learning evidence that fit seamlessly with annual school assessments.

Will my child make friends if we learn from home?

Absolutely. Small, live classes help children build real friendships and confidence while connecting with peers in Estonia and around the world.

How much of my time will this take as a parent?

We handle the live teaching, curriculum, and structure. You stay involved through regular updates and coordinate with your child’s school, but you’re not expected to be their teacher.

Can we return to school later?

Yes. bina’s accredited programme keeps your child aligned with Estonia’s national standards, making it simple to return to public or private school if you choose.

What about screens?

Classes are short and focused, with breaks, movement, and hands-on projects throughout the day.

Do we need approval from the school?

Yes. Families must request permission from the school’s headteacher before beginning kodune õpe (home education).

Will bina’s programme satisfy school oversight?

Yes. bina’s structured curriculum, progress tracking, and assessment reports make it easy to demonstrate educational progress to your child’s school.

Are exams required?

Yes. Students in kodune õpe take annual exams organised by their school to confirm they’re meeting learning objectives. bina’s teaching and reporting help children feel fully prepared for these assessments.

Can lessons be taught in English?

Yes. bina’s classes are in English, and many Estonian families appreciate the bilingual advantage. Schools mainly require evidence that children meet learning outcomes, regardless of the language of instruction.

What if we move abroad?

bina travels with you. We’ll help you understand the requirements wherever you go so your child’s education stays consistent and compliant.