Independence, the ability to learn and make choices and to be responsible for them is a prerequisite for planning an educational path and shaping one's future life. At the Hugo Treffner Gymnasium (HTG) a young person can develop his abilities in cooperation with expert teachers in a modern learning environment. An important place is an independent work, and studies are supported by practicums and study tours.

Study organization

HTG has only high school classes, the school only has approximately 540 students, and each flight has 2 real classes, 1 nature class, and 2 humanitarian classes. There are approximately 50 teachers.

The academic year is divided into five seven-week periods. There are 75-minute lessons in the first six weeks of each term and assessments in the seventh week.

Six or seven subjects are studied in one period. When organizing the study work, the school is based on the desire to reduce the subjects studied at the same time, to leave more time for acquiring knowledge, and to reduce the time spent on checking knowledge. This gives the student more opportunities to pursue interests and communicate with fellow students.

Thanks to the flexible study system, HTG students have several opportunities to pursue their hobbies and prepare to continue their studies in higher education.

Fields of study

At the Hugo Treffner Gymnasium, you can choose between humanitarian, natural, and real studies.

The study content is shaped by the upper secondary school courses prescribed by the national curriculum, the optional courses of the school's field of study, and the free subjects courses chosen by the student. Courses completed in other educational institutions, if they fit the curriculum in terms of volume and topics, as well as participation in the school's interest groups are also considered as necessary courses for the completion of the HTG.

Regardless of the field of study, a treffnerist acquires good knowledge in nature, humanities, and natural sciences.

• A strong foundation in Biology and Chemistry is created in the nature course. Practicums in the laboratories of HTG and higher education institutions, as well as study trips to research and scientific institutions, are very important in the study. The acquired knowledge provides a good opportunity to continue studies in the fields of natural sciences and medicine.
• In the Humanitarian direction, the student gets a deeper knowledge of art, history, and philosophy and starts learning French or German as a new, third foreign language. Humanitarian practice courses take place at the Estonian National Museum, the Estonian Literary Museum, the National Archives of Noora, and the University of Tartu. In addition, study trips are made to other cultural and scientific institutions. The versatile curriculum of the humanitarian direction has enabled treffnerists who graduated in previous years to continue their studies in the humanitarian field, for example, law, but not only that - many continue their studies in medicine or information technology instead.
• A real-time learner acquires excellent knowledge of mathematics and the basics of programming. Internships in the laboratories of HTG and the University of Tartu direct thoughts to innovative technology. During his studies, the learner can test himself in many inter-school competitions and subject Olympiads. Graduates of the science major have good prerequisites for continuing their studies in higher education institutions in fields that require good knowledge of science.

In addition to compulsory courses, it is possible to acquire knowledge in more than fifty different liberal arts courses, which you can register for at the beginning of the academic year. In addition to Latin, French, Swedish, German, and Russian language courses, you can participate in history and social studies courses (e.g. "Stories of Faraway Lands" and "Man and Law"), photography, drawing, career planning, psychology and health education and first aid courses, home chemistry , economic education, 3D printing, national defense, robotics, religious education, and many other interesting courses. In addition, the school cooperates with Tallinn University of Technology, the Estonian University of Life Sciences, and VOCO, which offer their own courses.

School support systems

During the transition from elementary school to high school, a lot of changes take place in a student's life. The learning environment, and the learning system are new, new teachers share knowledge and you have to make friends with new schoolmates. To settle into school life, HTG organizes joint events in the first autumn of the school year and offers help with studies. In addition to the usual opportunities to complete follow-up assignments and teacher consultations, students have the opportunity in the first semester of the 10th grade to consolidate their basic school knowledge in additional courses in Estonian, English, mathematics, or chemistry.

Before subject olympiads and competitions, applicants have the opportunity to acquire additional knowledge in master class courses under the guidance of HTG teachers and alumni.
To prepare for state exams, the school organizes additional courses in mathematics, Estonian, and English before graduation; offers additional courses in physics, biology, and chemistry to support higher education studies.
The school has a student counselor, a psychologist, and a school nurse who monitor the physical and mental health of the students, support the acquisition of effective learning techniques and skills, help plan time effectively and listen in case of problems.

HTG traditions

The traditions of the school with a long history, located in the historical quarter of the heart of Tartu, include anniversary events at the statue of H. Treffner on the banks of the Emajõgi River; autumn picnic and anniversary ball, which are organized by students; friendlies of five and three schools; close cooperation with higher education institutions; meetings with cultural and social figures; night academies, donor day and more. Good relations between teachers and students and close cooperation play an important role in shaping the image of the school.

Interest Education

School days don't end with the last lesson. HTG students have the opportunity to participate in more than ten interest groups. In the art circle, one learns that aesthetics is not necessarily "beautiful" and that the world can also be viewed from an unusual angle. The acting circle gives the courage to perform and the ability to control both your body and your voice. Mathematical and logical thinking skills can be used in the bridge. The debate club is a place where you learn to speak intelligently. History and photography buffs expand their knowledge in their field of interest. By joining the green circle, you can take part in hiking, organizing an eco week, night academy, and other things that broaden your horizons about nature and support a green way of thinking. In addition to traditional activities, the student himself can initiate ventures that are of interest to him and support the development of his fellow students.
Organized events etc. can be formalized as research or practical work. By participating in the editorial office of the school's Miilang newspaper and the school's social media working group, you can contribute to capturing the exciting events of school life. The students' literature club enables meaningful exchanges of ideas about literary works chosen by the students themselves.

There are indoor hockey, basketball, and volleyball training, and you can practice your hand with other interested people in the pétanque hall in the basement of the school building.

The mixed choir Anima and the folk dance ensemble Tantsutallad go together. The feeling after performing at a singing or dancing party cannot be described - you have to experience it yourself!

The opportunity to have a say in what happens at the school and to contribute to the school's development is offered by the HTG student body, which participates in planning the school's curriculum and development directions and organizing school life, keeping the school's traditions. Joining the student council is a great opportunity to develop organization, cooperation, and leadership skills.

The opportunity to have a say in what happens at the school and to contribute to the school's development is offered by the HTG student body, which participates in planning the school's curriculum and development directions and organizing school life, keeping the school's traditions. Joining the student council is a great opportunity to develop organization, cooperation, and leadership skills.