UKRAINIAN BACK-TO-SCHOOL EXPRESSIONS: GET READY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR!

In Ukraine, children usually start first grade at age 6 or 7. The first day of school (1 вересня), also known as the Day of Knowledge, is a big deal: children dress up nicely, bring flowers for their teachers, and often feel a mix of excitement and terror. Parents secretly worry if their child will survive the 45-minute lessons without falling asleep!

The typical Ukrainian school journey looks like this:

· Primary school (початкова школа): grades 1–4

· Middle school (середня школа): grades 5–9

· High school / senior classes (старша школа): grades 10–11

So until recently, most students spent 11 years in school. Starting from 2025, Ukrainian schoolchildren will study 12 years instead of 11.

Ukrainian schools use a 12-point scale. Here’s the basic idea:

· 12 = Excellent, you are basically a genius.

· 11 = Very good, keep showing off.

· 8–10 = Good, not bad.

· 5–7 = Satisfactory, just barely surviving.

· Below 5 = Uh-oh… time to study harder.

· School usually starts at 8:30 am. A 45-minute lesson feels like an eternity, especially in winter.

· Children often carry backpacks weighing 5–7 kg, which makes them secretly strong little superheroes.

· Ukrainian students get a lot of homework, so don’t be surprised if they are expert multitaskers by grade 4.

So this is the perfect time to familiarize yourself with school-related vocabulary and expressions. Plus, it’s a great way to impress your Ukrainian friends when you mention the tradition of bringing flowers or listening to the first bell!

Here are some essential words you’ll hear often in Ukrainian schools:

Tip: Pronounce these words aloud—it will help you remember them and make you sound like a pro at school!

· “I need my textbook.” → «Мені потрібен підручник». 

· “When is the first lesson?” → «Коли перший урок?» 

· “The school bell just rang!” → «Щойно пролунав дзвінок!» 

· “I forgot my homework.” → «Я забув/забула домашнє завдання». 

The Ukrainian back-to-school season is fun, colorful, and full of traditions. Learning these words and phrases will not only help you practice your Ukrainian but also let you join the excitement of the new school year—with a smile and maybe even some flowers for your favorite teacher!