Homeschooling in Latvia is more tightly defined than in many countries. Basic education, grades 1 to 9, is compulsory and taught in Latvian, and home education (mācības ģimenē) is permitted only for the early grades or on health grounds, always through a Latvian school that sets and marks the work. That makes an accredited international online school the right fit in two situations: for internationally mobile and expat families planning around Latvian requirements, and for the upper-secondary years (International GCSE and A Level), where general secondary education is not compulsory. This guide covers the legal framework, where each route fits, exam options, university pathways and costs.
Home education is permitted in Latvia, but in narrower circumstances than in many countries, and always through a Latvian school. Basic education, grades 1 to 9, is compulsory, so a family cannot simply opt out of the school system. Understanding how the framework works is the starting point for planning an international education here.
Pre-primary education is compulsory for children aged 5 and 6, and basic education (pamatizglītība), grades 1 to 9, is compulsory from the year a child turns 7. In state and municipal schools the language of instruction is Latvian, and all pupils, including those educated at home, sit centralised national examinations in grades 3, 6 and 9, leading to the Certificate of Basic Education. These obligations apply to residents of Latvia, including citizens, EU nationals, permanent residents and third-country nationals holding a residence permit. General secondary education, grades 10 to 12, is not compulsory.
Home education is authorised for the pre-primary level and for primary education, grades 1 to 6. For grades 7 to 9 it is allowed only where a student has health problems for a longer period. Parents apply in writing to a school principal, and the application must be supported by a written conclusion from a doctor or a psychologist. The child remains enrolled at a Latvian school, which sets the programme, follows the national curriculum and assesses the child's progress across the year. In other words, home education in Latvia runs through a school rather than replacing it.
Because the home-education route is tied to a Latvian school and the national curriculum, an international online school does not by itself meet Latvia's compulsory basic-education requirement for a resident child of compulsory school age. It fits in two specific situations, which the next section sets out. This is an honest distinction that matters: it protects your family from planning around a route that would not satisfy the authorities.
An accredited international online school fits Latvia best in two situations: the upper-secondary years, and internationally mobile families. In both, it delivers live timetabled lessons with qualified specialist teachers and leads to globally recognised qualifications.
General secondary education, grades 10 to 12, is not compulsory in Latvia. From the upper-secondary years, students are free to follow an international curriculum leading to International GCSE, AS Level and A Level, or a Cognia-accredited US high school diploma. This suits students aiming at universities in the UK, Europe or further afield, or families who want a qualification that travels with them. A Levels and International GCSEs are recognised for Latvian university entry through the Academic Information Centre, covered in the university section below.
Families relocating to or from Latvia, or on a temporary posting, use an international curriculum to keep continuity across borders rather than moving a child in and out of national systems. Compulsory-education obligations depend on residency and registration, so a family with a resident child of compulsory school age should confirm how they will meet Latvian requirements alongside an international programme.
Important for Latvian-resident families. CambriLearn is an internationally accredited school based outside Latvia; it is not a registered Latvian school. For a resident child of compulsory school age, grades 1 to 9, an international online curriculum does not on its own satisfy Latvia's compulsory-education requirement. Confirm your obligations with your local municipality and the State Education Quality Service (IKVD) before you plan, and treat CambriLearn as the international curriculum within that framework.
Through CambriLearn, students in Latvia can access every major international curriculum. The table shows how each is recognised for university entry.
| Curriculum | Qualification | Exam Body | Latvia University Admission | International Recognition | Via CambriLearn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International British* | International GCSE, AS & A Level | Cambridge Assessment | Recognised via AIC statement | 160+ countries | Yes, private candidate exams |
| Pearson Edexcel | Int. GCSE, Int. A Level | Pearson | Recognised via AIC statement | 80+ countries | Yes, accredited centre (No. 94888) |
| US K-12 | US High School Diploma | Cognia | Recognised via AIC statement | US, NCAA approved | Yes, Cognia accredited |
| Latvian national | Certificate of Basic / Secondary Education | Latvian state | Direct | Mainly Latvia and EU | No |
Where do students sit exams? CambriLearn students sit Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and A Level examinations as private candidates. CambriLearn is an accredited Pearson Edexcel centre and its exam officers help you register and identify a suitable examination venue. International qualification examinations in Latvia are centred in Riga, where the British Council's local examinations partner is the Baltic Council for International Education; where a specific subject is not offered locally, candidates sit at the nearest available centre. A useful point for private candidates: Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and A Level sciences are assessed entirely by written examination, with no practical component, so no laboratory access is required.
The International British Curriculum is the most common choice for internationally minded families. International GCSEs and A Levels are recognised in 160+ countries and, for Latvian universities, through a statement of comparability from the Academic Information Centre. The university section below explains how that works.
